Live Free Learn Free Blog » Neurotic Dog <title> <link rel="stylesheet" href="http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/wp-content/themes/thirteen/style.css" type="text/css" media="screen" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="RSS 2.0" href="http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="text/xml" title="RSS .92" href="http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/feed/rss/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/atom+xml" title="Atom 0.3" href="http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/feed/atom/" /> <link rel="pingback" href="http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/xmlrpc.php" /> <style type="text/css"> </style> <link rel='archives' title='August 2007' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2007/08/' /> <link rel='archives' title='July 2007' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2007/07/' /> <link rel='archives' title='June 2007' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2007/06/' /> <link rel='archives' title='April 2007' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2007/04/' /> <link rel='archives' title='March 2007' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2007/03/' /> <link rel='archives' title='January 2007' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2007/01/' /> <link rel='archives' title='December 2006' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2006/12/' /> <link rel='archives' title='November 2006' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2006/11/' /> <link rel='archives' title='October 2006' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2006/10/' /> <link rel='archives' title='September 2006' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2006/09/' /> <link rel='archives' title='August 2006' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2006/08/' /> <link rel='archives' title='July 2006' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2006/07/' /> <link rel='archives' title='June 2006' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2006/06/' /> <link rel='archives' title='May 2006' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2006/05/' /> <link rel='archives' title='April 2006' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2006/04/' /> <link rel='archives' title='March 2006' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2006/03/' /> <link rel='archives' title='February 2006' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2006/02/' /> <link rel='archives' title='January 2006' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2006/01/' /> <link rel='archives' title='December 2005' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2005/12/' /> <link rel='archives' title='November 2005' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2005/11/' /> <link rel='archives' title='October 2005' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2005/10/' /> <link rel='archives' title='September 2005' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2005/09/' /> <link rel='archives' title='August 2005' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2005/08/' /> <link rel='archives' title='July 2005' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2005/07/' /> <link rel='archives' title='June 2005' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2005/06/' /> <link rel='archives' title='May 2005' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2005/05/' /> <link rel='archives' title='April 2005' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2005/04/' /> <link rel='archives' title='March 2005' href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2005/03/' /> <link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/xmlrpc.php?rsd" /> </head> <body> <div id="headwrapper"> <div id="header"> <h1 id="title"><a href="http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog">Live Free Learn Free Blog</a></h1> </div> </div> <div id="wrapper"> <div id="content"> <div class="post" id="post-58"> <h2 class="posttitle"><a href="http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/2005/08/13/neurotic-dog/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to Neurotic Dog">Neurotic Dog</a></h2> <p class="postdate"> August 13th, 2005 at 2:36 pm (<a href="http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/category/musings/" title="View all posts in Musings" rel="category tag">Musings</a>) </p> <div class="postentry"> <div />Oscar the Happy Dog has a tendency to fixate on things. If he loses a toy under a piece of furniture, he will spend hours trying to retrieve it. He also has irrational fears. For a few years now, he’s been afraid of his water bowl. He knows he has to drink, so he gathers his courage, stands as far away as possible, and cautiously drinks as quickly as he can. And even then, his legs tremble, and he often has to jerk away several times and start over. Changing the bowl doesn’t work. Changing the bowl’s location doesn’t work. Nobody knows why he’s so afraid of drinking water.</p> <p>Over the past few days, he’s developed a new fear: leaving the bedroom. He’ll sit at the doorway and whine for an hour. He can get about two steps out, but that’s it. Then, he’s frozen. I can coax him out, but this morning when I did so, he was so anxious, he peed as he crossed that threshold. Poor guy. Why this new fear? I’m clueless. Strangely, he can walk into the bedroom just fine. It’s only walking the other way that frightens him….</p> <p>He’s a fun dog, though - more energetic than most, and a great lover of the game of fetch. He even catches things in mid-air most of the time. He loves to play with Kenzie, and he follows me from room to room. He looks exactly like a giant dachshund, and you can read every emotion on his face. He and Alaska (or “Laska”), our other wonderful mutt, get along fabulously.</p> <p>Now, if I could only convince him that nothing bad will happen when he leaves the bedroom….</p> <p><img border="0" alt="A_boys_best_friend1" src="http://livefreelearnfree.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/a_boys_best_friend1.jpg" /></p> <p>Kenzie and Oscar a few years ago (both a bit bigger, now).</p> <div /> </div> </div>  <h3 id="comments">6 Comments</h3> <ol id="commentlist"> <li id="comment-143"> <h4 class="commentauthor">Caroline Jones said,</h4> <p class="commentdate"> September 30, 2006 at <a href="#comment-143" title="Permanent link to this comment">5:53 pm</a> </p> <p>Hi there,</p> <p>My 14 year old Toy Fox Terrier has started doing the same thing with her water bowl. It has become a challenge for her to lean over and lap a little at a time, back away and pace, then attempt again. I am at a total loss to explain why she just recently started this, unless maybe her vision is causing the reflection in the water to scare her?? Don’t know if anyone gave you any advice, but I sure would love to hear if anyone else had the problem and was able to fix it. Hate to see her dehydrate herself over this!</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Caroline </p> </li> <li id="comment-144"> <h4 class="commentauthor"><a href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com' rel='external nofollow'>Shana</a> said,</h4> <p class="commentdate"> September 30, 2006 at <a href="#comment-144" title="Permanent link to this comment">9:18 pm</a> </p> <p>Nope - no advice. <img src='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif' alt=':(' class='wp-smiley' /> Oscar still does this, and he’s still afraid to come out of (or go into, now) the bedroom. I figured that one out, though. He must have bumped the large air conditioner vent when it was leaning against the wall (after we worked on the ac, but before we screwed the vent back on). I’m betting he knocked it over, and the sound was just too much for him. It could have been something just as simple with the water bowl. Maybe there was a loud noise while he was drinking, and forever more, he’ll associate drinking with the noise that scared him…. Poor guy. I hope your terrier is able to overcome whatever it is that’s worrying her. It’s so hard to watch them trembling with fear just to get a drink…. If you think it might be her eyesight, have you tried different types of bowls? Stainless steel, plastic in different colors, ceramic…? Wish I could be of more help…. </p> </li> <li id="comment-757"> <h4 class="commentauthor">Worried_Mom said,</h4> <p class="commentdate"> November 18, 2006 at <a href="#comment-757" title="Permanent link to this comment">12:02 am</a> </p> <p>My 1 year old Weimaraner has the bed room problem too. I was wondering if it might be the vent too. She has problems going through doors though. She goes outside just fine and back in, but going from the kitchen to the living room door is a hoot she takes off running and takes the curve too fast.</p> <p>Anyways I have had her for a month now and she is perfect except for the neurotic stuff. </p> <p>I wonder if we are putting too much into them….more than we use too and they were a lot less neurotic back than. </p> </li> <li id="comment-759"> <h4 class="commentauthor"><a href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com' rel='external nofollow'>Shana</a> said,</h4> <p class="commentdate"> November 18, 2006 at <a href="#comment-759" title="Permanent link to this comment">4:00 am</a> </p> <p>You mean like medicines and such? Vaccinations, heartworm, flea/tick, etc.? I wouldn’t doubt it. Of course, some dogs are just going to be a little “off,” but I’m sure the chemicals we pump into them must have some effect…. It’s like reading up on vaccinations for humans - the more you know, the less inclined you are to give them to your child….</p> <p>Oscar is a high strung dog to begin with. <img src='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> He will fixate on something - a toy he can’t reach, the hand he wants you to pet him with, something that scares him…. He’s really a funky guy. Alaska is so laid back, which is the only way he can deal with Oscar’s hyper, OCD-ish personality. They’re a perfect match! And endlessly entertaining…. </p> </li> <li id="comment-760"> <h4 class="commentauthor">Jolee said,</h4> <p class="commentdate"> November 18, 2006 at <a href="#comment-760" title="Permanent link to this comment">10:02 am</a> </p> <p>Like teaching commands sit, stay, down, come, off, bathing, dressing, all those things we do today but did not do in our yesteryears. When we were young (I am 50) dogs just ran around in the yard and we kids played with them, but hardly taught them any commands other than here boy!</p> <p>Bella wont go out to potty unless I leave a crack in the door than she will run in than right back out. But if I shut the door she goes berzerk. It is pretty cold here so that is not good for our Electric Bill. </p> <p>I never had a neurotic dog before and they didn’t tell me anything other than she is sooo loving.</p> <p>Anyways, she is very loving, very protective, silly, amusing and just dog gone it beautiful. So unless she bites someone she will stay with us.</p> <p>Have a good weekend!!</p> <p>Jolee </p> </li> <li id="comment-763"> <h4 class="commentauthor"><a href='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com' rel='external nofollow'>Shana</a> said,</h4> <p class="commentdate"> November 18, 2006 at <a href="#comment-763" title="Permanent link to this comment">2:13 pm</a> </p> <p>Lol! That’s pretty much the way we are. Oscar knows “Go get your kong!” ‘Laska knows “Who wants a treat?” And they both know “Sit,” “C’mere” and “Bedtime.” But that’s about it. There may be a few more…? Not sure…. They mostly just play and enjoy themselves. </p> <p>Oh, “Lie down.” They sort of know what we mean when we say that one…. </p> <p>There’s no real reason for our dogs to know too many commands. The ones they do know came about fairly naturally. No obedience classes, no dog training books, no clickers or choke chains or pockets full of treats. Come to think of it, the dogs are (more or less) unschooled. <img src='http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> And they’re such happy guys! </p> </li> </ol> <h3 id="postcomment">Post a Comment</h3> <form action="http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/wp-comments-post.php" method="post" id="commentform"> <p> <input type="text" name="author" id="author" value="" size="28" tabindex="1" /> <label for="author">Name (required)</label> </p> <p> <input type="text" name="email" id="email" value="" size="28" tabindex="2" /> <label for="email">E-mail (required)</label> </p> <p> <input type="text" name="url" id="url" value="" size="28" tabindex="3" /> <label for="url"><abbr title="Uniform Resource Identifier">URI</abbr></label> </p> <p> <textarea name="comment" id="comment" cols="60" rows="8" tabindex="4"></textarea> </p> <p> <input name="submit" type="submit" id="submit" class="submit" tabindex="5" value="Submit Comment" /> <input type="hidden" name="comment_post_ID" value="58" /> </p> </form> </div> <div id="sidebar"> <ul> <li id="meta"> <h2>Meta</h2> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/wp-login.php">Login</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/feed/" title="Syndicate this site using RSS">Entries <abbr title="Really Simple Syndication">RSS</abbr></a></li> <li><a href="http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/blog/comments/feed/" title="The latest comments to all posts in RSS">Comments <abbr title="Really Simple Syndication">RSS</abbr></a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="search"> <form method="get" id="searchform" action="/blog/index.php"> <p> <input type="text" value="" name="s" id="s" /> <input type="submit" id="searchsubmit" class="submit" value="Search" /> </p> </form> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="footer"> <p> <a href="http://wordpress.org" title="Powered by Wordpress, state-of-the-art semantic personal publishing platform.">Powered by Wordpress</a> · Design by <a href="http://beccary.com" title="Theme designed by Beccary">Beccary</a> and <a href="http://weblogs.us" title="Theme sponsored by Weblogs.us">Weblogs.us</a> · <a href="http://validator.w3.org/check/referer" title="This page validates as XHTML 1.0 Transitional"><abbr title="eXtensible HyperText Markup Language">XHTML</abbr></a> · <a href="http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/check/referer" title="This page validates as CSS"><abbr title="Cascading Style Sheets">CSS</abbr></a> </p> </div> </div>  <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> var sc_project=605365; var sc_invisible=1; var sc_partition=4; var sc_security="d224bf47"; </script> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="http://www.statcounter.com/counter/counter.js"></script><noscript><a href="http://www.statcounter.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://c5.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=605365&java=0&security=d224bf47&invisible=1" alt="free stats" border="0"></a> </noscript>  </body> </html>