Doggy blues

[Who me ?]

Last two bonfire nights (I've only had him little over two years), we've taken dog out early ,then shut curtains ,closed the lounge doors and turned TV up and let him out in the garden either late or during a lull.No problems .
This year fireworks started early ,an went on a bit longer than necessary .Let him in garden last thing and after a run round he did.At bedtime he was very clingy asking to come up (something he very rarely does)and eventually ending up on bed .This morning he seems lively enough ,but nervous -not his boisterous 10yr old puppy self with no confidence,but not off his food. .Obviously if he's still this way tomorrow ,it'll be vet ,but in meantine (as I know there's some vet nurses etc on here) any ideas

[Who me ?]

Update -he's now back to barking if next door slam door ,but still looks as if he's been on the wrong end of a fight -tail down ,not keen to run around ,but still got his appetite .But still very clingy .If we throw a toy ,he'll run after it ,but don't want to get up on his spot on the setee .Makes an effort with front paws and if helped up ,gets into usual place .

[Who me ?]

Update -he's now running around with his tail held high .Still not prepared to jump up on setee ,but today he did get on the back seat of the car by himself . He's now barking at dogs in street whilst in car ,but still wary of sounds outside .Possibly a chase or two of squirells in local park has perked him up

[Thevet]

It sounds as though the fireworks have upset your dog, it's surprising how dramatic this can be. One of our dogs, a supposed gundog just becomes a jibbering wreck if there are bangs of any sort, from fireworks to thunder. However, it seems that if the fireworks are away for a few days, most dogs seem to forget and recover, but I've found it seems to get worse each year if you don't take preventive action. If the return to normal doesn't continue, then yes a vet visit may be in order, with perhaps a DAP diffuser or zylkene diet additive being used to try a settle frayed nerves. If that helps then you should probably think about instigating these before next bonfire night. HTH

[Who me ?]

Update -suspect the fireworks were to blame .He's getting back to normal.First day or so his tail was down and he just wandered around.Now the tail is up and the ounce is back .Helped by finding some squirrels in the park to chase .At 10 he's never going to catch them ,but it keeps his terrier spirit going .

[Who me ?]

Another update -he's now up an at them pn firewirks - but very relaxed .

[Who me ?]

After another set on Saterday ,he's bouncing back .Got a bit funny over the past few nights on walks(more fireworks),so can't let him off .He's still wanting lots more love ,acting as if he can't get on the settee ,yet can get on my chair .At times he pretends he can't get on rear seat of car ,then forgets himself and bounces in .Been taking him to apark with lots of squirels an he's had time of his life chasing them .More getting back to his puppy state .
So hopefully I've got my young old dog back .He's now back to his ol naughty ways of trying to terrify any dog getting within a hundre yards of "his " car .

[bexVN]

Glad he seems to be getting better again. Keep a mental note of any behaviour changes as it may be due to his age and a bit of senility creeping in.

[Who me ?]

Seniality -the squirells don't think that .He's too active -most folk don't realise he's 10-they think he's a young dog .Mentally he's as sharp as ever .I've seen him dart into the bushes ,and wondered what he's seen/heard only to see a squirrel rush up a tree .His only problem is hat due to the spell of hot weather ,and me having a foot problem for the past few months ,he's put on a bit ,but he's on a diet ,getting approx 10% less can food ,with a handfull of mixer .Also he's back on walks with lots of squirells around .He'll never catch one but he's always trying ,and getting a lot more exercise . Hopefully ,with granson around less , he'll be getting less to clear up .Also trying to cut down on treats on walks .This was major training aid to get him to recall .Problem with previous owners -if he refused to come ,I'm told they shouted and chased .I simply walk the other way ,an he shoots back to my side .
I'm always on the lookout for changes as my 2-1/2 year old grandson an him become closer .

[bexVN]

Senility isn't just about how active etc but v, subtle changes. Not suggesting he has but with his recent history and struggle to get over the fireworks it is worth being aware of.

[Who me ?]

bexVN said:

Senility isn't just about how active etc but v, subtle changes. Not suggesting he has but with his recent history and struggle to get over the fireworks it is worth being aware of.

very aware ,but he's now the dog I got a few years ago .Yesterday we got him a new squeeky toy ,to replace the one that had lost the noise .Straight away ,he went looking for grandson ,with toy . Grandson chucked toy ,and off theyb went . On walks in the park -he's constantly looking in all the old places for squirells . He meets dogs ,he met over a year ago ,and remembres them .His memory never ceases to amaze me - places he's only been once ,in the car - he looks out and he's whining to get out .

[mildmannered]

Just to play Devils Advocate, could he be sensing your anxiety of expectation over the fireworks and reacting in a defensive manner because the leader of the pack is nervous? Also, you then reacting to his reactions, you reinforce the behaviour?

Next year, it may be worth taking him out on walks on and around Bonfire Night?

Good luck.

[Who me ?]

mildmannered said:

Next year, it may be worth taking him out on walks on and around Bonfire Night?

Good luck.

This year the fireworks started when we were on our last walk .he went hyper .nothing to do with us being present .However in past two days in park we go to ,he's found several squirells on the ground and had a field day .One thoughtit was safe behind a fence ,which he couldn't get over .He worked out how to get round it and we saw surprised squirell making a dash for a tree .

[Who me ?]

Update ,some weeks on - he's getting more like a two year old than a ten year old dog .If he sees squirells behind a fence in the park ,he's off ,getting round the fence to chase the aquirell . No sign of problems with noise -he's almost back to normal .It's hard to believe ,watching him in open spaces ,that he's ten year old . Tonight he even decided that he wanted to get up on the soffa -so up he got .Times ,I think ,he's trying it on . His only problem is that he's a glutton - and I'm working on that . It seems to be working - he now can get into the back seat of the car ,and now get on the setee.

[Thevet]

Crossed my mind after reading the OP again, it could have been an episode of something painful like a back problem or even a disc, could explain the signs, if you see similar symptoms again not associated with fireworks, I'd be looking for somewhere that was sore on the dog, or perhaps treating with a painkilling anti-inflammatory.

[bexVN]

Thevet said:

Crossed my mind after reading the OP again, it could have been an episode of something painful like a back problem or even a disc, could explain the signs, if you see similar symptoms again not associated with fireworks, I'd be looking for somewhere that was sore on the dog, or perhaps treating with a painkilling anti-inflammatory.

Just re read it and can see what you mean!

[Who me ?]

Taking him for his jabs next week ,so see what they say .Certainly out in the open ,he's more like a dog half his age .Local field has a anti traveller ditch round it,with a couple of feet high mound ,approx 3/4 feet wide -yesterday he cleared it in one .Seems as he gets older ,he gets faster -he's now gaining on squirells over distances from 50 -100yards .No problems/signs of pain on his back - no movement away/flinching on brushing or patting .If helped into boot area (when grandson is in rear seats) he does complain if led out and picke up .But if picked up in house -no problems -I put it down to his pride ,as he did it from start when put in boot area( hatchback with cover removed,before folks get it wrong) .As he saw going out in car as his right ,I returned him to house ,and went round block .On return -he had decided that I was boss -no growling /snarling .
Edit - when in boot ,he won't let you help him out - he jumps out ,with no signs/sounds of pain when he lands .
Edit/edit - thanks for input , all advice welcomed

Edited by Who me ? on Saturday 26th November 20:31

Edited by Who me ? on Saturday 26th November 20:33

another edit - he's just come in from his last out for the night - an I've lifted him on to the sofa . Mrs has just said that overnight he gets up/off the sofa by himself .I've just given him a good back rub - no winging/snarling etc - so no suspect back problems . Suspect the sofa thing is lazy dog syndrom .

Edited by Who me ? on Saturday 26th November 22:42

[Who me ?]

0Update - he'll be 11 next April - as of late -he's now getting closer to catching a squirell - he's constantly looking for rats/squirells in the park-very aware , not what I'd expect a ten year old dog to be doing . Vet tells me that he has a very/very slight heart murmour ,not something too be worried about on a dog of his age ,but something I'LL be asking PDSA to check out .But he's a very active dog for his age- he's more like a dog many years younger -to me he's my ten year old pup . He is(IMHO) overweight ,and I'm reducing his intake to get his weight down ,but slowly .problem is that our grandson and him are too close and he gets lot of titbits from GS .

Edited by Who me ? on Wednesday 30th November 22:34