Relaxed or shut down?

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Postby pitbullmamaliz » October 29th, 2009, 9:25 am

I have been told by a couple people who have dog-sat (mom and girlfriend) for me that Inara is a totally different dog when I'm gone. She's calm, doesn't pester the cats, and just is quiet. What am I doing that makes her so much more relaxed when I'm gone? I don't think I'm an obnoxious dog owner - I don't follow her around, I'm not constantly petting or talking to her unless she seeks it out, etc.

My other thought though was that maybe she's a bit anxious and shut down when I leave? She has anxiety in new/different situations. If she can see me leave and she's not crated, she totally flips out and throws herself at the door, barking and having a fit. So she doesn't like it when I leave. So maybe she's shutting down when I leave her around people she doesn't live with?

I don't know. I'm just confused. (big shocker, I know!)
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

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Postby Hundilein » October 29th, 2009, 10:15 am

She sounds like Renee. Everyone I have ever left her with tells me she's fine, did great, gave them no trouble, and that I must be exaggerating about her behavior. With her, I do think it's more shutting down than relaxing. She just doesn't care much about anyone else, so if I'm not around, she's happiest just hanging out on my bed. She saves all the crazy stuff for me.

Could you get someone to video tape her when they are pet-sitting so you could see what she's doing? It's possible that you would see things that most people would miss that could give you more insight.
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Postby pitbullmamaliz » October 29th, 2009, 10:23 am

It doesn't happen that often. I can count on one hand the number of times somebody else (other than the vet for boarding) watched her for me when I was gone for a day or weekend. I'm also leaning towards shutting down vs. relaxing, just because I know her. It would be nice to see video of it though. :)
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

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Postby Pit♥bull » October 29th, 2009, 10:42 am

Liz,
It's the same with our pair and I'm of the opinion they know how far they can push and what they can get away with while under our (and I use this loosely) control. :rolleyes2:

Crap.... Since I just became an 'expert' I think I'll do a video. :shock:
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Postby Marinepits » October 29th, 2009, 12:09 pm

Indy's the same way when I'm not around. It's like he just turns his switch to "off" until I come home, LOL. The rest are still lunatics regardless of who's around. :lol3:
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Postby TinaMartin » October 29th, 2009, 12:26 pm

Sounds like Gator.
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Postby Malli » October 29th, 2009, 2:19 pm

Oscar is also extremely well behaved when there have been the few times I've left him - maybe its like the "honeymoon" period after adoption :|
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Postby TheRedQueen » November 11th, 2009, 12:49 am

"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw
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Postby pitbullmamaliz » November 11th, 2009, 9:20 am

That was a good article. Out of those choices I'm leaning towards the shutting down that only looks like perfect behavior. Is it wrong that that makes me feel better? I was beginning to take it personally! lol
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

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Postby TheRedQueen » November 11th, 2009, 9:33 am

pitbullmamaliz wrote:Is it wrong that that makes me feel better? I was beginning to take it personally! lol


Nah...I have the same problem. My Inara always does really well for John when I leave...which really surprised me when I first left her with him. :o Then I felt it was me that makes her so crazy... :rolleyes2: I too enjoyed the article! :giggle: I felt better also!
"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw
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Postby Hundilein » November 11th, 2009, 9:38 am

Really good article. I tell my students about #5 all the time (trainer takes the dog and the dog is perfect, because the trainer only has to be clear and consistent with the dog for short periods of time).
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Postby TheRedQueen » November 11th, 2009, 9:46 am

Hundilein wrote:Really good article. I tell my students about #5 all the time (trainer takes the dog and the dog is perfect, because the trainer only has to be clear and consistent with the dog for short periods of time).


I just tell my students that I am a GODDESS of training. *sheesh* Why would I tell them about #5... :rolleyes2:

:dance:
"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw
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