Sudden Change

J

JodyG

Forums Novice
Please help. We have been Sheltie owners for over 27 years. Our first two shelties were both males. Last summer we rehomed a little female. She has been a wonderful addition to our family. I don’t know what happen but something did Easter weekend. Her behavioral pattern has changed.
She always enjoyed going outdoors. I could simply ask if she needed to go and she would run to the door. Now she won’t go outside unless she is on the lease. If you do get her to go out on her own she stays away from the grass areas. I am thinking maybe a bee sting or got startled by something.
She has also stopped playing with her toys. We would play inside throw and catch and a little tug of war, now nothing. Another issue is that before she would follow you around the house, up and down the stairs, etc. At bedtime I would say let’s go sleep and she would hop up, run upstairs and get in the bed. Now she won’t even go up the stairs. She sometimes acts like we are strangers; she doesn’t listen or come to us anymore. Today she actually ran away from me.
She is 2 years old, eats and drinks, and doesn’t appear to be in any pain. I partial say this because as far as the stairs she will run up and down the basement stairs but will not climb the upstairs stair and we have physically checked her. We love her very much and are being patient.
 
It certainly sounds like you've hit the nail on the head, Jody. Something happened that frightened her, perhaps outside. Shelties, especially females, can be skittish and have lasting reactions to things. It does sound as if she might have been stung, if you noticed this after she was out.

For now, patience and praise is key. You have to start from ground zero as if you were training her. Take her outside on the leash, but give her lots of praise and pack some special treats to give her as you walk around. Give her a treat when she comes to you inside as well. I'd carry her up the stairs for now, and give her a treat. Don't make a big deal of it, just scoop her up and carry her up.

It's a fine line between reinforcing her fear if you make too much of it and being matter-of-fact as you go about the things she normally did, punctuated with praise and treats. It make take a while, but she should gradually come out of it and regain her confidence. Good luck and please keep us posted.
 
Poor baby girl. I second what Ann says and add that maybe use some of her dinner kibble as treats and just treat her many many times a day when she goes outside, up the stairs, anything that is frightening to her. Just reinforce with food that she is a good girl and that she will not get hurt doing those things.
 
rehomed her, does that mean she was a rescue? Maybe a bad memory from her past reoccurred on Easter?

Did someone hurt her? Shelties can get weird if mistreated by someone. I think I would kill her with kindness, to rebuild confidence as mentioned by others here. But if she wasn't hurt by someone, spooked by someone or something, then I would get her checked out if she has stopped all interaction with her world, it very well could be illness. If she is not feeling well, she might not want you to know and is avoiding you.
 
Hmmm, this is very strange, but SUCH a huge change in behavior, I think, warrants (1) a second opinion to make sure she doesn't have some kind of medical problem and (2) a consultation with a professional, POSITIVE ONLY dog trainer. Even though it's a little late, she could be going through a fear period and if her reaction is not addressed and resolved it could make things much more difficult down the line.
 
She was a rescue. Took a little while to get her to warm up to us. She loves attention and being close. Just suddenly afraid of being outdoors except on a leash. She runs in and out on the deck with us constantly. Just doesn't like being on the ground (except on the leash). No problem on the walks and being on solid surfaces. I am taking her out for walks for her to do her business. I think I am misrepresenting her avoiding us because of trying to get her to walk into the yard. Still a little strange. Got a little better today going up the inside steps. I plan to get her to the vet this week for a checkup.
Thanks
 
Sorry I am no help but the suggestions made here were good and worth a try. I hope all works out for you and your furbabay!
 
Thanks for the information.

I think maybe I over reacted a little. The problem really has to do with the yard. May have been stung or fire ant bite. Again no problem on the leash. Just won't venture into the yard by herself but getting a little better. I believe that the issue with us was because she was afraid that we were forcing her out. Back to running up and down the stairs and playing with her toys. Someone over the Easter weekend may have scared her.

Thanks
 
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