reply to post by Zezima
This sounds very strange, it sounds like your dog is sensing something wrong, but what, I don't know. I know you said he first started showing
symtoms a couple of years ago, but what aboutbefore then, I mean is he a nervous dog by habit, or was he 'well adjusted' before then?
I don't want to pry into your personal life of course
but has anything happened in your life (stress/change of circumstances) that he might pick up
on? Dogs are very perceptive. Our youngest dog (we have three) is the most sensitive of all of ours - she immediately picks up on when I'm upset or
angry or scared, and will sit right in front of me, with her ears back, staring up at me, until I give her a hug
The staring into space thing could be a sign of old age - at the risk of comparing our dogs to yours, our oldest dog (15 and a half) has started doing
this in recent months. She'll just stand there, staring at apparently nothing. It seems almost as if she's forgotten where she is or what she was
doing.
Have you taken your dog to the vet? Might be a good idea, unless he's too scared to go out of course.
What do you do when he gets scared and tries to hide? Your behavior may affect his reactions - eg if you get worried and upset at what he's doing, he
might pick up on this and get even more scared, whereas if you confidently tell him everything's ok and don't make a big deal of it, he might realise
there is nothing to be scared of? (Not saying you're at fault
just trying to explain how easily dogs pick up on and react to human emotions.
Hubby is always telling me not to mollycoddle our littlest one when she gets scared - I just want to hug her
but hubby tells me that just makes
her feel there really is something to be scared of. I know he's right).
Sorry I have nothing more constructive to add.
edit on 22-5-2011 by tappy because: stupid emoticons