Post by mtbbuxton on Feb 17, 2015 14:55:53 GMT -5
I'm asking on behalf of a friend so apologies if it's a bit disjointed. I'm also going to call the dog Callie as I don't actually know her name 
A friend's in laws took on a 5 year old Border Collie about 18 months ago after the owner died. Very sadly, the dog spent a couple of days alone with her dead Master before they were found
As a bit of background, Callie and her former owner lived alone together and the gentleman didn't have any Carers going in. He'd had several stays in Hospital over the last 2 years or so and on these occasions, Callie went into kennels. I don't know who took her and whether she left the house before or after her Master. The gentleman also attended quite a few Outpatient appointments and used Ambulance Transport, so again, when anyone came into the house, her owner left. In her new home, she is very rarely left alone and has human company for 95% of the day. Her new owners are elderly - one isn't very mobile, the other is fine.
Ever since arriving, Callie has acted oddly when people visit. She walks round and round the furniture and walks in circles in the space in front of the fireplace and doesn't really settle. To me it sounds like herding behaviour - Mayo can do something similar at mealtimes - but I think Callie's is due to nerves and I don't want to give them bad advice. I've suggested that the circling/herding needs interrupting and that it may be worth teaching Callie to go to her bed so they can do this when they have visitors and reward her for it. I've also said Callie may prefer to be in a different room behind a gate, so she can feel safe but not isolated.
Callie also gets extremely vocal when people get up to leave and has quite a scary bark on her. I'm wondering if the barking when people leave is anxiety at possibly being left behind or if it might be a bit of false bravado as a perceived threat walks away.
Recently, she's also started to be noisy and barky in the car too. The only suggestion I can think of for this is to try her on the back seat instead of the boot and see if she settles better.
The Inlaws have two very young Grandchildren that visit and as Callie is becoming more and more anxious, they are obviously worried about keeping everyone safe. Recently, Callie refused to go into the Utility room at bedtime where she has slept quite happily for months. When they tried to make her go in, she snapped at her owner and made full contact. I'd guess that this is fear based, but don't know what she's afraid of or how to help.
Without seeing the dog it's difficult to judge why it's happening I know, but I'm hoping someone can give me a bit of guidance for her and hopefully make life a bit easier for everyone, including Callie. None of the suggestions I've discussed with my friend are being passed on yet as I'd rather see what others with more experience think first.
Thank you,
Moira x
A friend's in laws took on a 5 year old Border Collie about 18 months ago after the owner died. Very sadly, the dog spent a couple of days alone with her dead Master before they were found
As a bit of background, Callie and her former owner lived alone together and the gentleman didn't have any Carers going in. He'd had several stays in Hospital over the last 2 years or so and on these occasions, Callie went into kennels. I don't know who took her and whether she left the house before or after her Master. The gentleman also attended quite a few Outpatient appointments and used Ambulance Transport, so again, when anyone came into the house, her owner left. In her new home, she is very rarely left alone and has human company for 95% of the day. Her new owners are elderly - one isn't very mobile, the other is fine.
Ever since arriving, Callie has acted oddly when people visit. She walks round and round the furniture and walks in circles in the space in front of the fireplace and doesn't really settle. To me it sounds like herding behaviour - Mayo can do something similar at mealtimes - but I think Callie's is due to nerves and I don't want to give them bad advice. I've suggested that the circling/herding needs interrupting and that it may be worth teaching Callie to go to her bed so they can do this when they have visitors and reward her for it. I've also said Callie may prefer to be in a different room behind a gate, so she can feel safe but not isolated.
Callie also gets extremely vocal when people get up to leave and has quite a scary bark on her. I'm wondering if the barking when people leave is anxiety at possibly being left behind or if it might be a bit of false bravado as a perceived threat walks away.
Recently, she's also started to be noisy and barky in the car too. The only suggestion I can think of for this is to try her on the back seat instead of the boot and see if she settles better.
The Inlaws have two very young Grandchildren that visit and as Callie is becoming more and more anxious, they are obviously worried about keeping everyone safe. Recently, Callie refused to go into the Utility room at bedtime where she has slept quite happily for months. When they tried to make her go in, she snapped at her owner and made full contact. I'd guess that this is fear based, but don't know what she's afraid of or how to help.
Without seeing the dog it's difficult to judge why it's happening I know, but I'm hoping someone can give me a bit of guidance for her and hopefully make life a bit easier for everyone, including Callie. None of the suggestions I've discussed with my friend are being passed on yet as I'd rather see what others with more experience think first.
Thank you,
Moira x
