Personality Change

[Jamesmc]

We have just got back from a weeks holiday. Nero our toy poodle stayed that week at grandparents. We have noticed quite a change in him. He has become very clingy [ jumping on laps all the time ], barks when outside and when walking down the beach he stays close to me most of the time. Where as before he would go crazy at the beach running around like a madman going up to all the other dogs etc. He was never a real barker before.

Is it a coincidence with the timing of a holiday or suffering from a bit of separation anxiety? In any case is there something we can do to get his old self back. P.S Nero is 13 months old and he does enjoy being with the grandparents.

[Kirty]

I would say he was just a bit stressed and missed you when you were away. Our pets were often clingy after staying in kennels. Within a few days to a week, they were back to normal.

Treat Nero as usual, don't make a fuss of him or you will reinforce the behaviour.

[Vacuna]

We have just got back from a weeks holiday. Nero our toy poodle stayed that week at grandparents. We have noticed quite a change in him. He has become very clingy [ jumping on laps all the time ], barks when outside and when walking down the beach he stays close to me most of the time. Where as before he would go crazy at the beach running around like a madman going up to all the other dogs etc. He was never a real barker before.

Is it a coincidence with the timing of a holiday or suffering from a bit of separation anxiety? In any case is there something we can do to get his old self back. P.S Nero is 13 months old and he does enjoy being with the grandparents.

I find toy poodles adapt very easily and once he realises life is back to normal (well his sense of it) with you and back in his own home environment I expect he will completely relax and be back to his old self.

I am currently minding an 3 year old toy male while owner away on extended holiday who has adapted and adjusted to our routine very quickly and now when he goes out the back door with my girl comes straight back when I call him and stands still while I remove his belly band. I just haven't been able to totally re educate him not to lift leg while inside my house.