Cayla (or anyone!?) - any ideas?

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Scranny_Ann

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Jake (as in me rescued spangle) has developed strange behaviour in the last few days!

Dad called me on Monday night - he lost Jake whilst he was out on evening walk and couldn't find him anywhere. I went over and found him literally 'chilling' in a hedge 5 fields away from the furthest point dad walked!! When he saw me i thought he was going to expolde with joy!!

As you know, he's not had an easy life so made a bit of a fuss of him and walked back to quad and then back to kennels ... Dad called him to put him back in his kennel and he wouldn't go anywhere without me :confused: Now, granted, i am his fav :rolleyes: as he associates me with 'work' and all things fun but he always loves dad - but NO other males (past experiences i think :(:mad:).

Yesterday morning, wouldn't come out of his kennel for Dad - i was at work so he didn't have a run at all :(. Last night, same, wouldn't come out of kennel without me, so left the horses and went straight over. He's clinging to me like glue out on walk and almost looks bashful all the time? Like he has done something wrong?

Now, just to add - Dad hasn't shouted, hit or even as much as growled at Jake, he knows you can't even raise your voice at him...

I have asked the people who live nearby if anything strange has happened around the kennels, any strange men etc - nothing that they know of. Food is same as always, eating fine, no meds or anything? It's like he's gone back to the dog i first took on all that time ago? Very worried about my boy!

Dad suggested he 'may have had a bad dream' LOL :rolleyes::D

Anyone suggest a reason for this very odd behaviour? :(
 
Just a thought maybe when he went off on his walkabout he heard your dad calling him and your dad got worried when he didnt appear and he shouted thinking he was a long way away and this brought back memories of the past.Your dog would then be thinking he was in trouble and was not going back to god knows what.

This is no way a reflection on your dad who did what most dog owners would do but might explain your dogs behaviour.

I do hope it is only a temporary blip.
 
Dobiegirl said:
Just a thought maybe when he went off on his walkabout he heard your dad calling him and your dad got worried when he didnt appear and he shouted thinking he was a long way away and this brought back memories of the past.Your dog would then be thinking he was in trouble and was not going back to god knows what.

This is no way a reflection on your dad who did what most dog owners would do but might explain your dogs behaviour.

I do hope it is only a temporary blip.
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Thanks :) He only shouted him twice but saying 'Come on Jake, Good Boy' and spent the rest of the time using the whistle...

I thought maybe he may have had a run in with a deer down in the bushes and it freaked him but Dad said he saw nothing.

Very strange. I'm going to ask my OH's little brother to come over tonight as Jake does like him - see if it's my dad in general he has taken a sudden dislike to or whether it's all those, bar me, he usually loves to bits!

I always knew this dog was 'odd' but this just takes the mickey!! :rolleyes::D
 
Aww - poor Jake. I haven't really got any ideas unless your dad has shouted at another dog and Jake didn't realise it wasn't directed at him?:confused:
Otherwise your dad could be right about the bad dream. I'm sure my old collie (another rescue dog from an abusive home) had bad dreams as he would get very clingy at times.
 
I suppose he might have expected a bashing when he took a while to go back (due to past experience of course with whichever bar steward had him before), but it does seem a bit odd for him to still be unsettled the next day? I suppose that could be it though, poor lad :( And your poor dad too!

Maybe try taking him for a walk together with your dad, see how he responds then?

Hope he perks up soon!
 
Nickibelle said:
Aww - poor Jake. I haven't really got any ideas unless your dad has shouted at another dog and Jake didn't realise it wasn't directed at him?:confused:
Otherwise your dad could be right about the bad dream. I'm sure my old collie (another rescue dog from an abusive home) had bad dreams as he would get very clingy at times.
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I asked him if he shouted - said no :( Have just thought - Dad has terrible cough atm (as in a horrible barking cough - pardon the pun) but he's not that 'unstable' to be scared of a cough surely? Not when he's a gundog!

I'm hoping is was something as simple as a dream and he will snap out of it - don't like seeing him like the 'old' Jake when we've come this far
 
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Spudlet said:
I suppose he might have expected a bashing when he took a while to go back (due to past experience of course with whichever bar steward had him before), but it does seem a bit odd for him to still be unsettled the next day? I suppose that could be it though, poor lad :( And your poor dad too!

Maybe try taking him for a walk together with your dad, see how he responds then?

Hope he perks up soon!
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Yea, good idea. Just him running off in the first place is most unlike him (believe it or not!) and hasn't done that for 18 months or so when he first arrived pertified :(

I walked them all with Dad last night and will again tonight. If he's still all odd i might take him home for a bit of TLC and will kick Rocky into the Kennel for the night!! :rolleyes:
 
Maybe the cough reminded him of a previous abusive owner. Very long shot but he couldn't have been zapped by an electric fence and somehow think your dad was responsible?
 
MurphysMinder said:
Maybe the cough reminded him of a previous abusive owner. Very long shot but he couldn't have been zapped by an electric fence and somehow think your dad was responsible?
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Thanks MM, no electric fences around for him to get his hands on and even if he had touched one dad would have known about it - he screams like a girl!! :rolleyes::p

I have been thinking too much - given myself a headache!
 
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I suppose we can only speculate that there maybe some negative association there, and your dad was it maybe.
For instance he may have (don't panick here) have had a seizure, he may well not have either.
Sometimes when they feel the chemical change (fit coming on) the can run for cover outdoors. I have seen it with a terrier before.
We had a lurcher once and she collapsed out hunting with OH it took hours to find her, she also displayed this behaviour afterwards of fear (turns out she had a shunt)
But another example, we alwas play with the ball thrower, and shaun the DDB x one day suddenly decided he was scared of it after a heavy down pour we got stuck out in (he hates rain) we reintroduced positive association with the firzby (which he loves) and took it in turn to chuck frizb then ball then ball with thrower underarm:D (not pandering or making a fuss) and walking on when ever he back off to do a runner and encouraging him ahead rather than walk back or stop for him as to not heighten hid fear (what he was doing when the ball thrower was raised) he started throwing the ball under arm rather than over.
I would keep a close eye on him and mabe think about a vet check but I would not overl pander him, by all means offer goodies to get him from the kennel and re walk the route as suggested with our dad and you, see if ou can see any change in body language.
I am young though, take this info with caution;):D
 
CAYLA said:
I suppose we can only speculate that there maybe some negative association there, and your dad was it maybe.
For instance he may have (don't panick here) have had a seizure, he may well not have either.
Sometimes when they feel the chemical change (fit coming on) the can run for cover outdoors. I have seen it with a terrier before.
We had a lurcher once and she collapsed out hunting with OH it took hours to find her, she also displayed this behaviour afterwards of fear (turns out she had a shunt)
But another example, we alwas play with the ball thrower, and shaun the DDB x one day suddenly decided he was scared of it after a heavy down pour we got stuck out in (he hates rain) we reintroduced positive association with the firzby (which he loves) and took it in turn to chuck frizb then ball then ball with thrower underarm:D (not pandering or making a fuss) and walking on when ever he back off to do a runner and encouraging him ahead rather than walk back or stop for him as to not heighten hid fear (what he was doing when the ball thrower was raised) he started throwing the ball under arm rather than over.
I would keep a close eye on him and mabe think about a vet check but I would not overl pander him, by all means offer goodies to get him from the kennel and re walk the route as suggested with our dad and you, see if ou can see any change in body language.
I am young though, take this info with caution;):D
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Thanks for that oh wise young one ;) and i have to say, a possible Medical problem had crossed my mind :( keeping everything crossed it's not and is something simple - being the sensitive soul that he is. I guess, we ought to expect the odd set back after the sh!!t he went through but have maybe been spoilt up until now as he's not really had any set backs, as such. More just dealing with his lack of self confidence every now and then but not the fear you can see in his eyes atm. Poor lil mite.

Dad, OH's lil bro & I will walk them all tonight, same route and take it from there.

Fingers, Paws & hooves crossed please everyone!! :)
 
Just another thing to add in to the 'pot' here - how long has your dad had a cough for? Has he been like this for a while and does he feel well in himself? All I am wondering is, some dogs being sensitive that they are is that your dog has picked up some chemical imbalance off your dad (ie your dad being poorly). I wouldn't want to worry you with this and could just be way off the mark but, if your dad has been coughing for some time and hasn't been to see a doctor about it then mayb he should. Maybe that is the change your dog is picking up on?

Anyway, see how he goes with the other people (men) and if it is all men or just your dad.
 
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