Morning all! I've been pondering over the last week or so about some changes in Maisie's behaviour and wondering if these changes are usual or not. She's now nearly 5 months old. Over the last week I have noticed that Maisie has started to quietly "woof" at people or dogs at a distance away from us, no barking, just a soft woof. However, yesterday she barked at a lady who walked past us, a dog that went past our driveway and a boy carrying a skate board. I've worked rally hard on socialising her so why would she start to be wary of people or dogs now? She also starting to run up to people when off lead which is new as well and jumping up at them. Do I need to revisit some of our early socialising and ignoring passersby and distractions? She's become scared of the sound of dogs barking as well. I've also noticed that she has become a bit "skitty" with different noises when we are out and about that never bothered her before. also, night waking is getting worse She's barking to be let out very early morning. This started on Monday morning at 5am, Tuesday 4am and this morning 3am! She did a wee and poo on all occasions but then would not willingly go back to bed. I had to coax her into her bed in the utility room, she then barked until I got up. This morning she barked from 3am continually til 6am when I couldn't stand it any longer!! I had been down to her to tell her to be quiet but had not interacted with her in any other way. This stopped the barking for about 10 minutes! I did this about 3 times. Feeling a bit jaded this morning! She's not waking to be fed, as I type she is asleep on me and hasn't had breakfast yet. I'm not sure there are any answers to this, but typing it all up helps! Is this is phase and she is just growing up and I worry too much?
Re: Change in behviour Hi Debs It sounds like she's maybe going through something called the second fear phase, which can happen at the onset of adolescence. Socialisation is extra important now so it's worth making the extra effort to take her out into different situations, like you did when she was a puppy. Reward her for being calm and quiet and do not make a fuss if she barks or shows nervousness. This is a good article I found on adolescence as it explains a lot of things I didn't even think about http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1701 This is also a good article I found when researching it for Penny, unfortunately for us it came a bit too late but it's worth a read http://www.positivedogs.com/articles/early_doesnt_mean.html I'm not sure I agree with the 'keep the dog isolated during this stage' as I don't feel that is the correct way to handle it, but she gives a good explanation as to what is going on in the dogs brain. Regarding the night waking, I'm not really sure what to suggest. What time does she go out for a last toilet trip? Perhaps you could try making this half an hour later and see if that helps? If she is having a poo when you let her out in the middle of the night it's possible she's having her dinner or something to eat too late at night and she doesn't have chance to 'empty' before she goes to sleep. You could try restricting food and water intake in the evenings for a few days and see if this makes a difference. Other than that I would maybe try waiting 15-20 minutes longer each night before you go down to her, this way hoping to make it later and later until it becomes an acceptable time. Also, I'm sure you know this, but it is vitally important not to go to her when she is making a noise. Try waiting for a gap, counting to ten and then going to her. This way she will learn to wait, and that you will not come if she is making a fuss.
Re: Change in behviour very interesting Lauren! We are certainly going through a phase at the moment...Benson has become hyper, more boisterous, and more confident (intermittently) with other dogs. almost like he is challenging his personal limits and boundaries. I have been away for a couple of days and came back home to a chocolate monster! : ;D
Re: Change in behviour We went through a stage of being skittish around different noises. We walk along a dual carriageway for about 1 min before going to quieter roads......at 5/6 months old, Harley started cowering when buses or trucks went past. I ignored the behaviour and would just say 'come on' in an upbeat voice. It took about a month before she stopped cowering etc and now ignores them
Re: Change in behviour Poppy went through this stage as well. We 'cured' it over a period of several months by encouraging her with tasty treats to come to us and walk to heel whenever she saw strangers. It took some time and patience, but it did work.
Re: Change in behviour Thanks Lauren, I'll have a good read. Very interesting about the different periods when dogs can show fear. It's good to know that I'm not alone in seeing these new behaviours! I'll definitely be using some yummy treats to help us get through this phase. Lauren, I've tried altering the times she goes to bed and the times that I give her food/water. It makes no difference. She was happily sleeping through to 6am (still to early, but better than 3am!). She is on a course of antibiotics, perhaps that is making her out of sorts?
Re: Change in behviour The antibiotics could be a possibility as sometimes they can upset the tummy a little hence what could be making her need to poo at funny times! Also is there something that could be waking her up early? A noise like a neighbour going to work, or it getting light in the room she is in? If she's feeling out of sorts on medication and the onset of adolescence these things could add up together?
Re: Change in behviour It could be the antibiotics, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt !! A bit worried that next week is going to cause her even more upset as she has to go to the vets to have an infected baby tooth removed under GA. As she has only just had GA for her toe nail and I was planning on having her spayed next month, we are bringing the spaying forward to Tuesday next week and have the tooth pulled at the same time. Poor girl.
Re: Change in behviour Aww bless she's really up against it isn't she. I would say just try and stick to your routine as firmly as possible to help minimise upset. It can't be helped that it's all going on at the same time unfortunately. Maybe you could consider getting an adaptil collar or adaptil diffuser to see if that helps her settle? Just with the collar make sure the vets don't take it off when she goes in for spaying as they often do, thinking it's a flea collar.
