acting strange after kennels

[Twinkle17]

I got my huge lovely teddy bear of a dog 5 years ago from a rescue centre, he was in kennels at that time for about a month. About a month ago I had to put him in for just 2 days this being the first time since we got him. Since he has been back he has spent literally all of his time under my bed. He only comes out for walks and the second he we get back in the house from a walk he runs back upstairs and frantically gets back under my bed. Even trying to give him affection is a no hoper, he just wants my bed and thats it. Another wierd thing, whenever we go to get his food out of the cupboard he runs downstairs into the kitchen then backs up into the lounge and when he see's his food he runs back upstairs, about 10 mins later he will slowly come down the stairs, eat and then runs back up again. I tried closing the bedroom doors but he just sat there with these puppy dog eyes as if to say please let me back in there, ive tried new toys, playing, new chews etc but this lasts for about 10 seconds then back he goes under the bed. Its starting to feel like I dont have a dog as I hardly ever see him. I rang the kennels whilst he was there and they said he was absolutely fine and seemed to enjoy it, (I suppose they have to say this though). I thought with time and it would get better but he seems to be getting worse? any ideas?x

[kita1]

What breed/x breed is he?

What was his behaviour like before you put him in kennels?

Why did you put him in kennels? Has anything else changed (eg new additions to the household etc.)?

Do you know the kennels and staff well?

If nothing else has changed then I would first get him checked over by a vet to make sure there is nothing physical wrong with him.

He obviously sees your bed as a safety zone and to be honest I would not try and force him out.

Once you have had him checked by the vet it might be worthwhile trying to find a good behaviourist/trainer.

A good site to get more in depth dog training advice is:

http://www.ttlntl.co.uk/forum/index.php?www;PH PSESSID=222226c8cd2f2d4937c063737cd3ec44

The forum is free to join and is very friendly.

[Twinkle17]

Hi Kita1
He is cross breed, a bit of everything really, mainly Rotty though. Behaviour was fine beforehand, only really went under my bed at night to sleep. We moved house 18 months ago and he settled in strait away. I really really didnt want to put him kennels but we had family down and my Aunt has a very bad phobia of dogs and it was literally the only option I had( I cried like a baby, such a wuss!). I know the kennels really well as I used to work there & the staff are really nice group of girls. I think im going to get him checked by the Vet just to make sure there arent any underlying issues that I wouldnt notice. By the way, just an update on the other thread I posted about the dog that needed rehoming urgently, well he is now with a lovely family, 2 kids and some cats just 5 miles down the road, they love him to bits and said on the first night they forgot they had him and woke to find a 10 stone Rottweiler crawling up the bed to get in with them and he has slept there ever since, bless! Anyway, Ill book Ollie in at the vets asap and hopefully get my boy back to normal x

[kita1]

Glad to hear the Rottie got a good home!!

As you know the kennel staff I would think it is unlikely anything that happened in the kennels that changed his behaviour. Also the reason for putting him in there is not something that has changed for good (I thought it may be that you had a new carpet fitted, that he did not like the smell or feel of, or had builders in or something).

I had a similar experience with one of my dogs. I had two dogs, my GSD had CDRM and used a K9 cart for 18 months. During that time I got a new pup. My other dog, Lucy, started staying in the bedroom all day only coming down to go out for a walk then disappearing back up. This continued for over a year. I thought it was because she did not like the new pup. Then when I lost the GSD, about a fortnight later she came back down and proceeded to order the pup off HER chair. She then reverted back to her normal life. I realised that it was the fact that the GSD was terminally ill that she could not handle.

Dogs can be strange creatures and it may be something you have not realised has changed, if the vet gives the all clear then start looking for other reasons (it could be something really simple). The above site is worth trying - they have lots of experienced trainers and could well come up with something that will help you.

[lankeela]

You could try giving him a cage to go in (leave the door open) so he has his own space downstairs with you.

I'd shut the bedroom door or even put a stairgate in so he cannot go up there unless you are with him. I think if you let him go up under the bed you are reinforcing that its the only safe place, and he will not want to come down.

Try taking him to visit the kennels and see what his reaction is, at least you will know if he is wary of going there. Ask if you can spend a while there and let him have a run in a paddock if they have one. If he is ok then you need to look for other reasons.

[Scylax]

It sounds to me that your dog needs a 'safety zone',
and being under the bed is the best he can find.

For my own 'rescue dog' I contrived a tunnel behind
the sofa, by leaning a large sheet of cardboard at
45 degrees against the sofa's back. There, in the
dark, she thinks she is out of sight, and feels safe.

This is now her favourite place, though she comes
out for food, drinks, etc. In her tunnel, we leave her
at peace. She's much happier now, I think.