Loss Of Confidence

[pawsaroundoz]

Hi All

Need some advice....

Clancy has just turned 3 years old. Up until about 12-14 months ago I would have said he was a really outgoing Whippet, loved socialising, coffee shop sitting, and so on.

Nothing I can think of has happened to have changed that except for:-

1. I am sure there has been a couple of occasions when we have had people (strangers) come into the property under the house where the boys have a day run.

2. Carlin has lost tons of confidence over this same period due to him losing his sight, I know lots of dogs manage this well but Carlin is definately not one of them.

Do you think Clancy has lost his boldness due to the fact his 'big brother' has lost his? Or do you think he has had a really big fright by persons unknown entering property?

I am taking Clancy on my holidays in 2 weeks time but Carlin will stay home with my mate to 'guard' the verandah lol. I am hoping that by doing this Clancy will get a lot of one on one and see lots of new things and get back into the coffee shop socialising routine we loved when we did our 7 month road trip.

Do you lovely dol people think/feel this might help Clancy?

Annie and her boyz

[Tonymc]

First thing I would be checking Carlin if possible is,how are the littermates to this dog behaving. Tony

[haven]

Would you consider Carlin to be the 'top dog' generally? If so then seeing him react to certain situations with less confidence could certainly impact on Clancy. When the leader is apprehensive, the rest of the pack takes notice and reacts accordingly.

If that is the case, some time away from Carlin, especially in the company of other dogs Carlin 'looks up to' that are nice and confident, should help to remedy the situation but there may be some permenancy to the behaviour so long as Clancy considers Carlin to be the leader.

[pawsaroundoz]

Thanks for replies Tonymc and Haven

I will check with Clancy's breeder when I am down south to see if she has heard of anything similar going on with other pups.

Carlin was pack leader (after me) to begin with but since having a stroke like episode, losing about 80% of his sight and getting the wobbles and other problems (all having been checked out by vet/s of course) he seems to have 'abdicated' his role, whilst not nasty in nay way to Clancy he is simple no longer interested in him except for a very short period of time on rare occasions.

Clancy seems 'upset' by this - comes looking to me for re-assurence almost, acts like he is just not suer of his place in the world anymore.

I am very interested to see how things pan out whilst we are away on our own, also interested to see how he handles his obediance work whilst we are away.

Thanks again for your comments.

Annie

[Sonic]

Hi Annie

Can I ask what has caused Carlin to lose his sight? Was it a result of the stroke or something else. I have a dog who has been diagnosed with PRA, although he's not yet showing much sign of it, and would be interested to hear how Carlin (and you) coped with it.

[pawsaroundoz]

Hi Sonic

Yes it was a stroke or at least a stroke like episode that started it going and it just kept getting worse, vets can do nothing.

Well we do have our problems but he has learned to just stick very close to a human leg when he goes down the stairs now, he is most happy just trotting around the small reserve in our street - has house gardens down both sides so is semi enclosed and he uses the walls as a guide, is now loathe to play with Clancy and does not like getting in/out my van.....

not in pain although not my happy young dog of a few years ago.

Annie