Dog Going Bonkers/possible Health Problem - Please Help.

[nomis]

Hey guys,

Im currently having some serious problems with my staffie which is just a bit over 10 years old.

So here goes, this happens on a daily basis but i'll give you the example of what happend this morning.

Today at around 6am - 8am the dog transforms from acting normal perfect doggy into a very stressed out dog.

He starts breathing very heavily, saliva starts dripping, he tries coming inside by pushing open the door with strong force.

We tied him up on his leash to his dog house to try to control him and he started taking chuncks out of his dog house with his mouth.

To top it off we have roller shutter doors which we keep down when we are not home, we got home last week in shock horror to find the back door completely chewed through and ripped apart, so this means he has some pure aggression and force for a reason unknown.

He basically goes bonkers as if he was really stressed or something wasnt right in his mind.

What weird's me out is he is completely normal and something happens and he turns into some psycho stressed out dog basically at the same time every morning and once it gets around 8am he completey calms down and is back to normal, a fun loving dog that shows no sign of problems till the next morning once again.

So yeah, please if anyone has any tips on what this could be or what i can do i really appreciate any info you can give me.

Thanks for hearing me out.

Cheers

Edited April 27, 2008 by nomis

[persephone]

OK...

What has started happening in your neighbourhood around that time in the morning?

Anything?

Like builders/extra traffic/neighbours doing stuff... ?

He may be very anxious

How long has it been happening?

Have you/your family started doing/stopped doing anything different? Was there anything which USED to happen early morning, which doesn't? Did he used to sleep indoors, and is now out? Have you renovated the house, so now he can't hear/see what's happening in the house?

to find the back door completely chewed through and ripped apart, so this means he has some pure aggression and force for a reason unknown.

No , it doesn't!

It MAY mean, however that he is suffering from something, whether physical or emotional which is stressing him badly!!

Please phone your vet and get a complete check-up for him!!

he could have something affecting his hormone levels, sugar levels, could be a few different things, including something awry in his brain.

best to get it all checked ...then if there is no obvious PHYSICAL problem... call in the help of a BEHAVIOURIST to assess his mental/emotional well-being.

Edited April 27, 2008 by persephone

[Janba]

Have you had him checked out by a vet to make sure there are no physical problems? Also is ge losing his hearing?

Could it be a phobia about a noise that is occuring at that time. The noise could be anything -I have a dog that is phobic about roosters crowing and the bell on the home icecream van. It can also be a noise that he has never reacted to before until recently.

I hope you can get to the bottom of the problem.

[nomis]

OK...

What has started happening in your neighbourhood around that time in the morning?

Anything?

Like builders/extra traffic/neighbours doing stuff... ?

He may be very anxious

How long has it been happening?

Have you/your family started doing/stopped doing anything different? Was there anything which USED to happen early morning, which doesn't? Did he used to sleep indoors, and is now out? Have you renovated the house, so now he can't hear/see what's happening in the house?

to find the back door completely chewed through and ripped apart, so this means he has some pure aggression and force for a reason unknown.

No , it doesn't!

It MAY mean, however that he is suffering from something, whether physical or emotional which is stressing him badly!!

Please phone your vet and get a complete check-up for him!!

he could have something affecting his hormone levels, sugar levels, could be a few different things, including something awry in his brain.

best to get it all checked ...then if there is no obvious PHYSICAL problem... call in the help of a BEHAVIOURIST to assess his mental/emotional well-being.

Hey Persephone,

Thanks for the quick reply.

As for what happens in the mornings, nothing really, everything is pretty much quiet, no building or anything like that.

The only change i can work out is my mum used to be home more often so he would probably know he had company for most of the day as now he has no one through out most of the day.

My mum passed away last year, it will be one year since her death soon, i remember before she went to hospital he acted very strange also, he would come into the house any chance he could get and hide in corners under beds and act very odd.

Could there have been some connection to my mother that the dog could feel?

But yeah, any problems basically went quiet till a week or two ago then he started playing up again.

Also we did go to a vet but he just wanted us to go to a specialist for the dog like a psychologist so that wasnt much help.

We will give a behaviourist a try hopefully it will shed some more light on the situation.

Thanks again for your reply, its much appreciated.

[nomis]

Have you had him checked out by a vet to make sure there are no physical problems? Also is ge losing his hearing?

Could it be a phobia about a noise that is occuring at that time. The noise could be anything -I have a dog that is phobic about roosters crowing and the bell on the home icecream van. It can also be a noise that he has never reacted to before until recently.

I hope you can get to the bottom of the problem.

Hey Janba, thanks for the reply.

As stated above we did go to the vet but wasnt much help, but there were no physical problems i or the vet could see, as for his hearing, i have sensed in the last couple of months he hasnt been as responsive, for example when we used to get home he could hear us and run to the gate and bark like a lunatic in happiness, and now on rare occasions he wont come to the gate at all but then again he is probably somewhere far in the back yard sun bathing like a millionare haha.. but still it gets me thinking about his hearing..

As as for the phobia, it could be so, as it happens between 6 am and 8 am most days as if there was like a trigger of some sort, i've tried working out what i can be but there are no events or noises happening at the time.

The only thing which is happening which is obvious is the sun is rising and its changing from dark to light but that wouldnt be an issue would it?

Thanks again for your reply, its much appreciated.

[nomis]

Hey guys,

I was just speaking to my dad and we came across a very interesting topic.

We live close to holsworthy army base and they always do testing with ammunition so you can hear massive bombs go off etc.

Several times this month they have been going at it like no tomorrow but nothing has affected my dog, he could hear bombs going off etc and it didnt bother him at all.

But my dad was saying they might be testing something high tech, maybe something ultra sonic that only a dog could hear and would make him go mental?

They always did test very early in the mornings so maybe it could have some connection?

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks.

[persephone]

But my dad was saying they might be testing something high tech,

could well be!! Dogs, as you kow, can hear all sorts of things we can't..so yes, it could be something they are doing:(

At your vet check, tho..did they take blood tests etc?

I still think a THOROUGH check is needed, then a behaviourist

[Leenie]

As soon as I started reading your post I thought about a high pitched sound. Can you find out if any of the other dogs in the neighbourhood have been acting in abnormal ways?

If not, you need to have a chat with your vet and run some tests to rule out seizures or other health conditions. Then perhaps think about talking to a veterinary homeopath or natural animal therapist to see if they make any recommendations to help. Homeopathically the time he is doing this (before 8am) can have significance in finding a suitable remedy to help.

[cavNrott]

Can you take this elderly dog inside the house to sleep at night? This would probably solve your problems and his as well.

By tying him up outside when he is obviously so distressed will cause him even more distress.

It sounds like something is going on that you are unware of and the dog is showing signs of fear and panic with his drooling and panting.

His chewing the back door is not a sign of aggression, it's a sign of panic and fear. He wants to be inside where he feels safe.

Did the dog live inside when your mother was alive or has he always been an outside dog? Does he spend time in the house with you?

Whatever it is, this dog is not happy and I second those who suggested having a full and thorough investigation by a vet. A quick once over will probably reveal nothing.

It doesn't sound like a behavioural problem to me. He sounds like a dog who is suffering panic, is very frightened by something and is telling you he is distressed. If it was behavioural you would see evidence of this at other times, not just at that time of the morning.

[Golden Rules]

It doesn't sound like a behavioural problem to me. He sounds like a dog who is suffering panic, is very frightened by something and is telling you he is distressed. If it was behavioural you would see evidence of this at other times, not just at that time of the morning.

My thoughts exactly cavNrott - panic and absolute distress.

Have you tried just bringing him inside during the time he is likely to be upset?

[nomis]

Leenie - There is another dog across the street from me but as far as i know she is doing ok, i will ask the owner if its been having any problems to be sure. Also i'll bring the dog back to the vet to have a thorough checkup as everyone recommended.

cavNrott - The dog has never been inside other than rare occasions where he has come in to spend a few mins with family members otherwise hes always outside and being outside has never shown any problems as he pretty much loves the space/environment.

Arty Farty- The problem with bringing him in is no one is home at 6 am to 8 am when the problem occurs so that is a big problem, but i've decided to stay home tomorrow and give it a go, as soon as i see him starting to panic i will let him in and see what happens?

So if i do let him in guys and he calms right down and the signs of stress and panic goes away it must be something on the outside that triggers it? Also what would the solution be if i need to do this repeatedly letting him in every morning, a solution which can work with out me being here?

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

Cheers.

Edited April 27, 2008 by nomis

[cavNrott]

So here goes, this happens on a daily basis but i'll give you the example of what happend this morning

Arty Farty- The problem with bringing him in is no one is home at 6 am to 8 am when the problem occurs so that is a big problem, but i've decided to stay home tomorrow and give it a go, as soon as i see him starting to panic i will let him in and see what happens

Ok, this may seem like a silly question but your first post states this happens on a daily basis and your second quote states no one is home between 6am and 8am. My question is if no one is home then how do you know it happens every day and who ties him up to his kennel?

What time of day/night is there someone home with him?

So if i do let him in guys and he calms right down and the signs of stress and panic goes away it must be something on the outside that triggers it? Also what would the solution be if i need to do this repeatedly letting him in every morning, a solution which can work with out me being here?

Perhaps if you can explain and reply to my questions re your first two quotes me may be able to nut out a solution to the question you pose in your last quote here.

Edited April 27, 2008 by cavNrott

[Golden Rules]

I'm reading between the lines here and assuming there is usually some sort of damage done every day and you believe it happens everyday between 6am and 8am?

Is there any reason you couldn't consider having the dog inside during the day whether you were there or not?

I have 2 goldies who live inside day and night - and no one is here during the day. They just sleep all day!

Maybe try it and see how your dog fares.

A staffy isn't a big dog and they don't shed much do they?

It is also coldest at about 6 to 7am - just before dawn - is your dog warm enough? Getting old and may feel the cold more.....I dunno, just thinking here.....:D

[nomis]

So here goes, this happens on a daily basis but i'll give you the example of what happend this morning

Arty Farty- The problem with bringing him in is no one is home at 6 am to 8 am when the problem occurs so that is a big problem, but i've decided to stay home tomorrow and give it a go, as soon as i see him starting to panic i will let him in and see what happens

Ok, this may seem like a silly question but your first post states this happens on a daily basis and your second quote states no one is home between 6am and 8am. My question is if no one is home then how do you know it happens every day and who ties him up to his kennel?

What time of day/night is there someone home with him?

So if i do let him in guys and he calms right down and the signs of stress and panic goes away it must be something on the outside that triggers it? Also what would the solution be if i need to do this repeatedly letting him in every morning, a solution which can work with out me being here?

Perhaps if you can explain and reply to my questions re your first two quotes me may be able to nut out a solution to the question you pose in your last quote here.

Hey cavnrott,

About two weeks ago i got to stay home for a week and during that time i could see dog had some issues but i didnt do anything as it wasnt as serious as it is now and i thought it was just maybe a phase but it has continued, so thats how i found out it was on a daily basis.

But now im back at work so i cant do much anymore.

He has someone with him after 4pm on weekdays and on weekends he always has someone around mostly.

He is played with regularly and always taken care of so he is far from being alone if thats what you are thinking.

Cheers

[nomis]

I'm reading between the lines here and assuming there is usually some sort of damage done every day and you believe it happens everyday between 6am and 8am?

Is there any reason you couldn't consider having the dog inside during the day whether you were there or not?

I have 2 goldies who live inside day and night - and no one is here during the day. They just sleep all day!

Maybe try it and see how your dog fares.

A staffy isn't a big dog and they don't shed much do they?

It is also coldest at about 6 to 7am - just before dawn - is your dog warm enough? Getting old and may feel the cold more.....I dunno, just thinking here.....:D

Hey ArtyFarty,

We've never had him inside and have never considered it as there was no problem occuring with him being outside, he has spent most of his life outside and shows no signs of having any issues with it except for you know what.

But obviously now maybe we need to consider letting him inside but its still taking a bit far as after 8 am he acts normal and still loves being in his back yard in the sun etc chasing birds hehe :D but yeah its always an option if no solution can be found.

As for being warm, its not as cold as it can get for him and when it does hit peak coldness we give him a blanket etc into his carpeted kennel so he is pretty warm till he decides to rip out the blanket and have sex with it haha..

Cheers

[LuvMyCav]

"But obviously now maybe we need to consider letting him inside but its still taking a bit far as after 8 am he acts normal and still loves being in his back yard in the sun etc chasing birds hehe :D but yeah its always an option if no solution can be found."

Maybe a doggy door so he could come and go?

[Muttaburra]

At that age your dog could have some Arthritis and be getting cold being left out all night, the cold and evening damp will cause more arthritic pain and the dog could be desperate to get inside and get warm.

When dogs become Senior dogs it is time to review everything, including bedding and where they sleep, diet etc. they only have a couple of years left and it is time to give them some pampering to let them live out their final years in comfort.

Also good to give some fish oil caps or look into some of the Joint formulas.

He's happy to be in the sun during the day as that will give relief to the old bones.

IMO these issues should be addressed before looking at behavioural reasons or neighbourhood disturbances.

[Sianie]

Sorry, but I am wondering a couple of things. Did the dog start acting out of character soon after your mother passed? They do grieve, just as we do. Also, is the time of day significant? Everyone is looking at the surrounding areas, but have you thought about it outside the box? Did your mother do anything between those times? Was there something he used to do between those times which has suddenly ceased? I would personally look at these possibilities. Also, if it were me, I would look at either bush or bach flower essences- these are brilliant, especially when you get the absolutely correct one. Anyway, just a thought. Also, I think the thought of bringing him inside was to comfort him, not that he was lonely or was left alone too often. Good idea, as I think it might be comfort that he needs.

I'm reading between the lines here and assuming there is usually some sort of damage done every day and you believe it happens everyday between 6am and 8am?

Is there any reason you couldn't consider having the dog inside during the day whether you were there or not?

I have 2 goldies who live inside day and night - and no one is here during the day. They just sleep all day!

Maybe try it and see how your dog fares.

A staffy isn't a big dog and they don't shed much do they?

It is also coldest at about 6 to 7am - just before dawn - is your dog warm enough? Getting old and may feel the cold more.....I dunno, just thinking here.....

Hey ArtyFarty,

We've never had him inside and have never considered it as there was no problem occuring with him being outside, he has spent most of his life outside and shows no signs of having any issues with it except for you know what.

But obviously now maybe we need to consider letting him inside but its still taking a bit far as after 8 am he acts normal and still loves being in his back yard in the sun etc chasing birds hehe but yeah its always an option if no solution can be found.

As for being warm, its not as cold as it can get for him and when it does hit peak coldness we give him a blanket etc into his carpeted kennel so he is pretty warm till he decides to rip out the blanket and have sex with it haha..

Cheers

[nomis]

Have some interesting news guys,

Today i stayed home to focus on the dog and try and work out what exactly is happening, i 1st saw him at 5:30 am every thing was fine he was acting normal and didnt have any issues at all, i kept an eye on him till about 6:20 - 6:30 am and suddenly he began acting very strange, one second he is normal the next he transforms into something else, i gave it a few mins and before i knew it he was trying to push open the door and whinning and trying to get inside, he was obviously stressed out and as soon as i let him in he changed back into the normal dog as before 6:30 am, so there must be something outside effecting him which he couldnt feel when he was inside.

Im pretty sure now there is something happening at around 6:30 am on a daily basis to make my dog lose it, i just wish i knew what the trigger was.

Let me know what you think.

Cheers

Edited April 28, 2008 by nomis

[Muttaburra]

Nomis

Several times this month they have been going at it like no tomorrow but nothing has affected my dog, he could hear bombs going off etc and it didnt bother him at all.

But my dad was saying they might be testing something high tech, maybe something ultra sonic that only a dog could hear and would make him go mental?

They always did test very early in the mornings so maybe it could have some connection?

That's interesting.

You might find it worth your while to phone the base and let them know your dog's reaction, they may not be able to confirm or deny it, but someone at the base would find that interesting information for sure.

You could also ask around the neighbourhood and see if other dogs are being affected.

Until you know what it is, it will be difficult to de-sensitise the dog or behaviour-mod for it.

Do you know any electronics hobbyists or nerds that might have some instruments to pick up sub-sonic transmissions? Is there any changes to your radio reception around those times?