Change in behavior

[Angeleyes]

Chelsea, my sister and BIL's dog is really such a sweetie. She's all over me all day- just a big cuddle bug!!!

Anyway, when we first brought her home she was mouthy, but quickly grew out of it. She was obviously abused in her last home- if we could even call it a home. Then she was thrown out of a car and found by the animal cops very injured. The hair from her backside was missing when we brought her home, and she had scars all over. Now she looks great, despite that she was attacked three times at parks by loose dogs the last time very badly (which is why it is SO great that my sister is closing on this house outside the city right now!)

Anyway point being, the poor dog had issues, most of which are gone. However, she has always been SUPER submissive to me. Even so much as to jump and pee if I touch her. When Maximus is around she is better- like she related me with him and it's okay. Occassionally she would even snarl at me, not a growl snarl, but bare her teeth... but you could see it was out of fear because she would shake as she did it.

I would try to ignore her all together so that she didn't feel like I was threatening or cornering her. Even when she would come over nicely for attention I would make it like I wanted nothing to do with her... and that is hard for me because I love puppy kisses!!!

Anyway, she wasn't always like that- just at times. Last night she submissive pee'd when I started talking to her at my sister's house, I find that she gets "weird" when I make eye contact. Everyone started talking about how I must remind her of somone who abused her. I don't think dogs relate looks, it's more of a scent and behavior thing- but regardless something about me scares her.

Yet today, she is totally back to normal. She is better than normal, ALL over me. Everytime I turn around she's hopping on my lap and kissing me to death. Actually she gives so much affection that it is too much, lol... I can't move without getting attacked with hugs and kisses.

I wonder what the difference is? Maybe because we're in my house? I really don't understand why she would ever be scared of me, yet only on certain days. I haven't been able to link it with anything. Just wanted some opinions on it.

[Melinda]

could it be the scent you wear? or is it possibly just at night?.....

[Kandy]

Do you wear different kinds of perfumes on different days? Or do you happen to be wearing a certain kind of outfit when she's more fearful?

I do think dogs react to visuals as well as smell. I know that Boon was extremely fearful of any men with beards wearing baseball caps - but those people that she was afraid of could come around with no beard and no hat, and she'd still growl while trying to back up as far as possible, so I know she was also going by smell since she'd recognize them even if they changed their appearance.

[Angeleyes]

no- day or night... no change. Plus I wear different perfume everyday (you should see my perfume shelf! ) unless it's a scent of something else. I really don't know.

I also realized that she sounded like she was a puppy when we brought her home... she was estimated at 1 1/2 at the time of adoption for those of you who don't know.

[Angeleyes]

Well when I go to my sister's I'm usually in sweats and a t-shirt, unless I go straight from work or before we go out... so I guess no, no trend in regards to clothing.

I wear different perfume a lot, but there were times I wore none and she still acted fearful of me. And let me tell you, my BIL is a big deep voiced guy... I would be fearful of him if I didn't know him!! LOL! Meanwhile she is scared of me!! I'm the one that talked my sister into adopting her! (they wanted to adopt a little dog and I started crying "why do you need a pocket dog? Get her!" )

[Kandy]

Have you ever noticed that she reacts on the days that you wear a particular perfume? I know they say that smell is one of the strongest memory triggers for humans, so I would imagine that it could be the same for dogs.

[Kandy]

I would think its got a connection to smell somehow. Do you use different shampoo's or hair spray or anything?

[Angeleyes]

I do use different shampoos, but just starting lately (you know, my dry scalp thing, lol) ... I don't use hairspray much either. Hmm... I really don't know. I have hairspray in my hair today anyway and nothing. I wish I knew what it was.

Even at a distance though, when I made eye contact she peed... it was really sad to me. My BIL said "Wow, she doesn't even get like that if I'm mad!"

[greysmom]

Maybe today she is calmer and more relaxed b/c there is an entire pack surrounding her? Just a thought.

[Angeleyes]

Originally Posted by greysmom

Maybe today she is calmer and more relaxed b/c there is an entire pack surrounding her? Just a thought.

It's a good thought too, but I ruled that out. Today it's just me and the dogs. Usually it's at least 3 people and the three dogs... so it's actually less of a pack than normal.