Constant General Anxiety in 7 Month Old Sheltie

[Chris Parker]

I'd be asking the vet too, the whining and unsettled behaviour can be pain related. My male was diagnosed with arthritis at around 3 years old and for a long time people would say it's behavioural. I shouldn't have listened, it was a relief in a way when I got the diagnosis.

Also, dogs go through an adolescent fear period so maybe the worsening is related to that.

There's been a couple of recent threads about managing shy dogs that may help.

Another thing. He's a sheepdog and may be relying on you to entertain him. Can I suggest using his food so he can keep himself entertained? Don't give any of his food straight out of a bowl. Kibble can go in treat dispensers or hidden around the house/yard, soft food can be put in Kongs or something similar. Dogs love working for their food and gives them something to do that doesn't involve you.

He does have a bit of trouble entertaining himself. Often after we go for a walk or do a short training session, about 30 seconds later he will start with the whining and howling, even when people are nearby. It isn't directed at me and he doesn't seem to be trying to get or want my attention. He's on another mission entirely.

He doesn't like playing with toys very much. He will play tug for a little while, but loses interest in 2 or 3 minutes. Stuffed Kongs keep him amused for a little while. I like the idea of making food more of a game. He loves scouring the rooms looking for tidbits on the floor. His anxiety/stress doesn't seem to be a fear thing -- he loves other dogs and people and goes right up to them. It's more of a worry thing -- I think he may be worried about guarding the house and our back yard and concerned with what's going on outside. I've read that the stress can be a dominance thing where he is worried that he has to be in charge and look after things and that is worrying him. I feel like I've established my dominance with him -- but maybe he's just letting me think that I have -- boy, this is turning into next level stuff. He's playing chess and I showed up with my checkers (LOL).

He's going to the vet on Monday to see if he has pain -- I don't think he does, but maybe. Next we'll see a behavior specialist next week if the vet doesn't find anything.

 

[Shelby's mom]

Shelby is and always was a big whiner. I have never had a dog whine like she does. She walks around the house constantly whining. It is not anxiety or any medical issue, it is just what she does. It used to drive us crazy but now 8 years later I think we are just used to it. We have always ignored it thinking she would stop, but nope didn’t work.

Now that she is older she doesn’t do it all the time, but when she was younger it was constant walking around whining.

 

[Caro]

It's more of a worry thing -- I think he may be worried about guarding the house and our back yard and concerned with what's going on outside. I've read that the stress can be a dominance thing where he is worried that he has to be in charge and look after things and that is worrying him. I feel like I've established my dominance with him -- but maybe he's just letting me think that I have -- boy, this is turning into next level stuff. He's playing chess and I showed up with my checkers (LOL).

Don't worry about the dominance thing. Recent research shows that what we used to call dominance is actually a dog that lacks confidence. So more that he's worried than he thinks he's in charge. What research now shows is using 'dominance' techniques can further undermine confidence and make a dog worse.

You could also have what Sheepofblue has called a 'border sheltie'. I've got one of those - high drive, high energy, but not the most confident dog.

Otherwise - do you know anyone else with a Sheltie that she could maybe spend some time with? Or ever thought of getting another Sheltie...