Behaviour Change In A Previously Confident Dog

[Gamedog]

Hi, its my first post here but have been reading for months.

I have an 18 month old Rottweiler who started showing signs of fear about 2 months ago after her last season.

Before this, she was a normal, confident dog that has been extensively socialised since puppyhood and has done alot of training.

All of a sudden she has started spooking at things she normally wouldnt. Recently at the vet, she was very nervous and had to be muzzled purely as a caution to be checked over. This is out of character as she has always been easy to handle.

She hasnt had any bad experiences with people that would cause this.

Has anyone seen this happen to a dog. I am very concerned as I want to do alot with this dog and solid temperament is a priority.

I have been thinking maybe fear period or hormonal imbalance but dont know enough about either.

I plan to investigate this further with vet but vets dont know everything so wanted to hear others opinions as well to cover all possibilities.

Thanks.

[merikaez]

Hi, its my first post here but have been reading for months.

I have an 18 month old Rottweiler who started showing signs of fear about 2 months ago after her last season.

Before this, she was a normal, confident dog that has been extensively socialised since puppyhood and has done alot of training.

All of a sudden she has started spooking at things she normally wouldnt. Recently at the vet, she was very nervous and had to be muzzled purely as a caution to be checked over. This is out of character as she has always been easy to handle.

She hasnt had any bad experiences with people that would cause this.

Has anyone seen this happen to a dog. I am very concerned as I want to do alot with this dog and solid temperament is a priority.

I have been thinking maybe fear period or hormonal imbalance but dont know enough about either.

I plan to investigate this further with vet but vets dont know everything so wanted to hear others opinions as well to cover all possibilities.

Thanks.

This sort of temperament change is oftern indicative of low thyroid .

See Nutmeg's Story at

http://merikaez.4t.com/Nutmeg.html

This behavioural change was the first observed symptom of his auto-immune thyroidits condition

The problem is well known in your breed

http://stason.org/TULARC/animals/dogs/rott...thyroidism.html

http://www.angelfire.com/fl5/rottierescue/ailments.html

http://www.officialrottweilerguide.com/Rot..._Rottweiler.php

[Gamedog]

Interesting, thanks for that.

She is showing no signs of ill health but I will look into your ideas further.

[Nekhbet]

is there other people who handle or train the dog for you? sometimes hormones can create weird reactions coupled with a good fear period. I would still hold the 'I dont accept your reaction' ideal and not let the dog influence you with its responses. Be a little more regimented while you do a couple of blood tests it cant hurt.

[novta]

Definately get thyroid checked. My 4y/o bitch had similar symptoms, non of the so called normal symptoms associated with low thyroid such as coat conditions etc.

She all of a sudden became fearful and appeared very distant & almost confused.

Turns out she has low thyroid function (lowest the vet has ever seen). I would recommended getting a set of bloods done & make sure they test thyroid function.

[Gamedog]

Thanks for all respones. Good things to think about.

I will have her thyroid checked. She is showing no typical symptoms though. She is not at all fearful or distant around familiar people. She is still a very driven, confident dog. Just spooking at people in certain circumstances.

is there other people who handle or train the dog for you? sometimes hormones can create weird reactions coupled with a good fear period. I would still hold the 'I dont accept your reaction' ideal and not let the dog influence you with its responses.

Can you explain a little more what you mean. Yes, there is another person who has worked with her 2 or 3 times. He is perhaps a bit rough but has not handled her for about 6 months.

What do you mean with the hormones coupled with a good fear period? I would really hope it is more to do with a fear period rather than an illness.

Thanks

[Bisart Dobes]

Hi,

Firstly - speak to your breeder to see if their girls do this kind of thing - the first season can be a 'blind' season and the second then brings on hormonal changes (which us girls can understand !!!!!).

Secondly - this may seem a bit weird but bear with me.

There have been alot of dogs presenting with this kind of issue. Vets are doing bloods which show high white cell count but can find nothing wrong with the dogs. Several questions.

Where do you live ? (State / Suburb)

Is the area badly drought affected?

Does the dog show muscle atrophy and / or look like she has shrunk (for lack of better word) (lost bone density and facia is better I guess) ?

Is the dog presenting intermittent lamness ?

Is the dog dehydrated ?

I did say weird but bear with me ... answer privately if you would prefer.

Bernadette Smith

Bisart Dobermanns

http://bisartdobermanns.homestead.com

[Gamedog]

Hi Bisart Dobes, thanks for your response.

I have spoken at length with her breeder but they couldnt help much.

Secondly - this may seem a bit weird but bear with me.

Wierd is fine . Anything to get some more answers.

Where do you live ? (State / Suburb)

Is the area badly drought affected?

Does the dog show muscle atrophy and / or look like she has shrunk (for lack of better word) (lost bone density and facia is better I guess) ?

Is the dog presenting intermittent lamness ?

Is the dog dehydrated ?

VIC.

Drought affected but no more than anywhere else.

No muscle atrophy. Quite developed muscles and filling out.

Has had intermittent lameness in the past.

I dont think she is dehydrated.

I wonder if it is anything similar to the dogs you are talking about. Have you found any reasons for the change?

Thanks for your help.

[Bisart Dobes]

Hi again & thanks for replying,

Which leg or legs was she showing lamness on ?? & Did you find a particular spot which was causing the lameness ??

B

[Nekhbet]

do you have her as a schutzhund/security dog? PM me if you prefer on this one.

My Malinois was similar. Her hormonal maturity between 12 and 18 months coupled with being a bitch in season and her system working itself out left her with some fears. Also having a trainer punch her in the head once was not helpful but oh well we worked through that.

what happens when she is fearful? Do you get nervous as well or do you ignore it and pretty much tell her 'come on dont be silly, get over it we've got work to do'. My rotty at the moment is playing hit the deck at 15 months (he's such a dag if you get cranky at him he'll whine like you hurt him and drops ) because the other dogs have cranked at him a couple of times as well.

from the sounds of it either something has happened (another handler or maybe a possible break in at your place) or she has gone through a fear period and somehow you are perpetuating the behaviors ... if her blood screens are all clear. I would give her a break, let her be a house dog for a couple of weeks and see how she goes as well, maybe she just needs a rest.