Big Change In Behavior

[weisnjac]

I'm after advice for a friend of mine.

She has a dog who is shown, has always had a great temperament, loves other people and always stood well for judges etc.

She had her first season a few months ago and her temperament started to change. She became unsure of strangers and now will not stand for the judge. When it first started she completely freaked, wouldn't let the judge near her at all. They tried again in case she was having an off day but she is doing the same all the time now.

It is getting to the point that when they are out for their walk she is barking at strangers and is now unsure of people she has known since she was a puppy.

This bitch is a lovely and if showing didn't turn out, she was going to do obedience with her, with this reaction to people, that might not be a possibility now.

She has been to the vet and chiro and no-one has any advice that is helping.

My friend it at her wits end and this is not the dog she had 3 months ago.

I have never had any experience with a bitch changing temperament after their season so have no advice to give.

[arawnhaus]

Try some Evening primrose oil for a couple of months and see if any changes to her temperament,she may become more relaxed in her environment and thus become friendlier,she might need some time out of the show ring to do some basic obedience one on one with her owner till she is well behaved to bring back out into the public then some obedience classes with other people/dogs and maybe some shows....

Edited August 14, 2008 by Delkerabo

[weisnjac]

Thanks!

She has been out of the ring for a few weeks now as my friend isn't confident having her in there at the moment. She is down the local club (obedience) on a Wednesday night when there are not too many people around. Last time she let me and mum go over her fine, but she knows us very well.

What do you suggest with the primrose oil? I've never used it for anything before.

[cowanbree]

Fear period often coincides with the first season. I struck it with my aussie, my lovely outgoing puppy who loved everyone changed in to a bitch who was so terrified she wet herself in the ring in the space of a week with nothing of any significance happening. I handled it completely wrong and as a result have never really been able to show her since, what a waste

[arawnhaus]

I used EPO for my girl when she went through a fear period,I used 1000 mg tabs 4 times a day.Just squirt the tab into food and mix. I would try her on a smaller dose then a Rott.One/two tab per day for 1 month,if no Improvement use it longer,you need to use it for a few weeks before it takes effect.

It calmed my girl and now she is as confident and bright as any other well adjusted dog. Health food stores and places like Safeway/Coles/Chemists etc always carry it.It brightens up a dull coat too.It is a bit of a jack of all trades tab.For us humans and dogs alike.

Hope it helps.

It is commonly used for the relief of PMT, arthritic pain,stress etc In human women.It can adjust moods too.

Edited August 14, 2008 by Delkerabo

[Rysup]

I have been going through something very similar, except my bitch wont walk on a lead! The judge doesnt worry her, but she wont go in the ring and not pull like a banshee, or choke herself silly.

Well finally at her last weekend of shows (weekend before last) she went in the ring and wasn't spastic....so I can see a light at the end of this very trying tunnel!

[weisnjac]

I used EPO for my girl when she went through a fear period,I used 1000 mg tabs 4 times a day.Just squirt the tab into food and mix. I would try her on a smaller dose then a Rott.One/two tab per day for 1 month,if no Improvement use it longer,you need to use it for a few weeks before it takes effect.

It calmed my girl and now she is as confident and bright as any other well adjusted dog. Health food stores and places like Safeway/Coles/Chemists etc always carry it.It brightens up a dull coat too.It is a bit of a jack of all trades tab.For us humans and dogs alike.

Hope it helps.

It is commonly used for the relief of PMT, arthritic pain,stress etc In human women.It can adjust moods too.

Thank you. This breed is about Rotty size. I will pass on this info

[peaceful]

My suggestion is as well as the EPO and Fish Oil capsules (actually helps reduce fear in the brain)

is to find a good "Bowen" Therapist.

One of my bitches changed dramatically after a season and after a Bowen treatment to treat her pituary gland and hormone levels she changed back to her normal self within 3 days. It was amazing!

If that doesn't work....try clicker training.....but dont show her until she is back to herlsef otherwise you'll do irreparable damage to her emotionally.

[cwm]

Just out of interest, how old is the bitch?

I had my girl at a show and I know she's been going through a bit of a fear period - but she appeared quite scared of some men the other day. One breeder suggested she might be coming into heat - low and behold..she was! She's 10 months old now - so it must be a fairly common thing with heat cycles. No different I suppose to us being a bit overly hormonal too at that time of the month LOL.

[weisnjac]

Just out of interest, how old is the bitch?

I had my girl at a show and I know she's been going through a bit of a fear period - but she appeared quite scared of some men the other day. One breeder suggested she might be coming into heat - low and behold..she was! She's 10 months old now - so it must be a fairly common thing with heat cycles. No different I suppose to us being a bit overly hormonal too at that time of the month LOL.

The bitch is 14 months old, she started changing after her first season. Has been a couple of months since finishing her season and she is continuing to get worse.

Friend made a trip to the health food store and brought what was suggested above, fingers crossed it works for her. She wont be pushing anything on her and will be keeping her away from shows for a while to see if any improvement is seen.

Thanks for the suggestions