agoraphobia

[Merlin M]

Well Buzz has been doing very well recently, we put her on a drug called Pexion for her seizures and that seems to have done wonders for her - no more side effects!!

However since Sunday she has been a bit off, Friday and Saturday she was really happy and playful, but she has been sleeping a lot and very heavily and becoming more and more anxious about going out of the flat (I am not aware of anything bad happening to her out there)

Now if I try and get her to leave the flat she lies down on the hall floor and shakes a lot and will only move if I sit on the floor and she will curl up on my knee. I have to carry her outside, where she will Pee then lie down again till I pick her up, I had to drag her round the garden just now so she would poo.
Some times I can get her to climb up the stairs others she just lies down and wont move!!!

[Gordon]

That doesn't sound to good bless her have you checked her eyesight to make sure she can still see as my old dog suddenly lost his sight when he was 16

[Merlin M]

I know her vision is not what it once was but her eyes seem fine and she seems to be seeing ok

[pagan queen]

I don't know what to suggest Merlin. Teddy suddenly developed a fear of a noise my African grey makes. He would shake and try to leave the room anyway possible, he was really bad when I left the room. I got him to overcome it by giving him lots of attention and treats when I returned. He soon got over the fear as he was too excited by getting a treat. All I can say is give her lots of attention and fuss when she is outside, make it feel fun for her and plenty of treats so she will look forward to going out. Not sure if that will work for her though.

[Merlin M]

I have been trying that, she wouldn't even get up for a biscuit earlier, and she is usually very food motivated!!

[Suze65]

Something may have frightened her , it's sometimes difficult to know what, but obviously she's got to go out for toileting, so I would carry her out, but don't make any eye contact or make a fuss about it, just pick her up and go out . Make out doors a nice fun place, may be a new toy ( if she likes toys ) put food in the toys, to give her something to think about , reward her when she does a wee or poo with a toy or treet. Just a few ideas to try. Often behavioural issues can take time to deal with , so don't expect too much too soon, time and patience is needed when training dogs. I'm not an expert, but had some issues with my dog and did my research into dog behaviour. I read a very good book by Jan Fennel the dog listener.

[Merlin M]

Yes you are right, and you need to be extra patient with Buzz as her memory is not good, particularly short term. Will try taking the biscuits out with me, usually she gets one when she comes back in but back to basics I think... I have her anti anxiety jacket washed so will try that too to help her feel more comfortable

[Suze65]

Just one little thing, if you give her the biscuit when she comes back in , she will think she getting it for coming in, so give her the treats while she is outside, so she associates outside with nice things. It may take a while. I wouldn't give her a biscuit when she comes in , just come in quietly , with no fuss. Obviously these are only ideas, I'm no expert. Hope it helps.

[Merlin M]

Yes see the point exactly, when we were house training her she got a treat as soon as she peed outside and got praise, eventually it became when she got back in as she was lazy with the stairs so going out and in got a biscuit...
Will instruct Russ to give her the biscuit outside also...

[Merlin M]

Seems she is just nuts, now shaking cos Russ stole her seat!