The Last Straw with Ellie! Rant/vent

[OntarioSheltie]

I was curious about the licking behavior but yes, you're right. You do have to look at the situation, but given Ellie's previous behaviors its possible that Lauree is right about Ellie

Toby licks too, but for him its totally different. With Toby its a bit more of an obsessive thing (though not as bad as some dogs). I think Toby does it for comfort or perhaps it relieves stress. He's fairly calm when he does it. He'll lick his paws, his sheltie sibblings, me or my hubby, the floor/carpet or the couch. Toby has never shown any real aggression, even when his anxiety is at its highest.

Ginny almost never licks but Sadie licks when she's happy.

 

[Emmasmom]

Hamish, Noah, and Emma are/were all lickers, particularly of the feet. Liam has watched Emma and has now become a licker too. They do this just because - one day, Noah stood and licked our minister's bare leg and he let him. There was no threat at all from this person towards Noah or anyone. Emma loves to lick my ear if she can get at it. At times, I have both Liam and Emma licking my feet, my arms, my hands, my face, my head, whatever they can get at. To me, this is their way of touching or what we do when we rub someone's back.

I too would read with caution what is being said. You know your dog best. Take what you feel you can from this blog but also adjust it to what you know Ellie will handle. It sounds like she just had too much stress thrown at her, and like I said previously, the tornado is extremely stressful for all and she is picking up on this stress. When she bites you at the door, is it separation anxiety and that she is afraid of being alone?

 

[SheltieChe]

yep, everything has to be taken in context. Che always has sweaty paws on agility field... we all know it is sign of stress... ha... if you look at Che with his gay tail, prancing, eyes sparkling... nope, not the stress... arousal, anticipatory happiness yeah...
I really wound not berate yourself for seeing this or not seeing that...plus things do change...
I am rethinking my thoughts on Leo with that White Shepard in our Leash Reactive class, Shepard is one sick dog for sure but I am now not positive if it is not Leo who starts it because he knows he can get Shepard going... need to watch closely on Thur, this class I am always more tired than agility because I have to watch so closely all those "muscles and whiskers" moves...
Our facility offering seminar on reading dogs signals in a couple of weeks, I signed up... well they should since facility specializes in "difficult dogs" and now with nose work classes being so popular we have tons of really reactive dogs coming in...

 

[Lahree]

I told Richard about what I read on the blog and about how Ellie must feel trapped when she is on the recliner and she is licking me. He said, "Huh? She can just jump down if she doesn't want to be messed with" (for some reason Ellie does not like to be petted most of the time by Richard--we have no idea why but she just gets up and moves away if he starts petting her). He also pointed out that if my leg is bare (wearing shorts or a nightshirt) Ellie loves to lay down next to me on the recliner and lick my leg. She does this totally voluntarily. So, y'all are right--context is everything.

See how I am totally driving myself INSANE trying to help this dog?

 

[Caro]

Licking is a soothing action that has a variety of meanings. So yes it can be used to deflect aggression, it is also used to relieve stress and a comforting action (like babies sucking their thumbs) and just as a relaxing thing to do. Of course it can also be due to allergies or pain.

Tully licks me all the time and its definately affectionate. She also licks dogs she is close friends with when she first sees them but will never lick strange dogs so for her it isnt a stress/aggression relief, its a sign of affection or friendliness.

 

[sable]

I told Richard about what I read on the blog and about how Ellie must feel trapped when she is on the recliner and she is licking me. He said, "Huh? She can just jump down if she doesn't want to be messed with" (for some reason Ellie does not like to be petted most of the time by Richard--we have no idea why but she just gets up and moves away if he starts petting her). He also pointed out that if my leg is bare (wearing shorts or a nightshirt) Ellie loves to lay down next to me on the recliner and lick my leg. She does this totally voluntarily. So, y'all are right--context is everything.

See how I am totally driving myself INSANE trying to help this dog?

God love Ellie, as I read the posts it seems Ellie has a tendency to bite Richard. I wonder if Ellie is more of a one person sheltie, and you are her person? You are totally trying to help her, and I give you a big high five.

Hopefully you have positive progress with Ellie.

 

[Lahree]

Yes, Ellie LOVES Richard but she hasn't ever treated us the same. She is definitely "my" dog. My poor husband adores Ellie and he is the MOST gentle, loving, kind, caring, laid-back person in the world, but he's the one who gets bitten. She also does not enjoy petting from him and we can't figure out why. If he pets her, she gets up and moves! She also loves to get in my face and make me laugh. She LOVES that. She never gets in Richard's face. She sleeps next to me on the recliner and never cuddles with Richard--although when I am not home, she will lay on his feet.

 

[SheepOfBlue]

She lays on his feet to make sure he is not leaving. My pre-Sheltie Dow used to do that all the time to me. My guess is with you gone she is watching the second favorite in her herd to make sure he does not escape also.

 

[nbrard]

Sounds like maybe Ellie has a 'family circle of trust' like our Brie, and everyone has their position inside or outside of the circle. If I am home it's all about Mommy for her, then she goes to my 17 year old son, if we're both out she will hang out with my husband but will be a bit reserved even though he is as loving as the rest of us to her. My 19 year old is busy with school and work so she doesn't see him as much, so if he is the only one home she prefers her crate. Both Mikos and Brie will lick our feet, Mikos will give kisses to my son, Brie will give kisses to me but not the other way around so the licking part has me bafflled Best of luck with your progress.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

Sounds like maybe Ellie has a 'family circle of trust' like our Brie, and everyone has their position inside or outside of the circle. If I am home it's all about Mommy for her, then she goes to my 17 year old son, if we're both out she will hang out with my husband but will be a bit reserved even though he is as loving as the rest of us to her. My 19 year old is busy with school and work so she doesn't see him as much, so if he is the only one home she prefers her crate. Both Mikos and Brie will lick our feet, Mikos will give kisses to my son, Brie will give kisses to me but not the other way around so the licking part has me bafflled Best of luck with your progress.

Haha, family circle of trust, that makes me think of Robert De Niro in the movie Meet the Parents.

All joking aside, I know what you mean.