Porky here: Boy am i nervous (Need advice from the other weiners)

[doxielady5569128]

Dis is Porky here.  I have been really nervous lately.   Momma thinks maybe its related to my daddy switching to a job where he works nights instead of days.  She thinks I might be missing my kitty that is living outside now since we moved out to the lake in June.  i don't know why I'm nervous, I just am.   I'm afraid to let my momma leave the room.   Have any of you weiners gotten scared like this 'before???   I didnt even want to play with grandma today when we were over there cause I was too scared that momma wasn't in the room with me!!!  I always love to play with grandma.   Also, my blankie can't fix the problem??  Which is weird, my blankie ALWAYS can make me feel better, but its not!

Please let me know how i can get over dis being scared fing.  I dont like it.   Also...momma put up a post for all your momma's and daddy to give her some ideas on da health board.  i just need some advice...weiner to weiner.    Den i can pass it on to my momma if i need to.   She's worried about some other things about me too which she talks about on the health section.     Thanks fur the help guys!

[Leslie]

how old is the little guy.  I have read somewhere about "fear windows" where a previously outgoing pup goes through a stage where everything make 'em nervous.

Of sourse, I you had turkeys peckin' and chasin' ya YOU might be scared too!

[doxielady5569128]

Porky is one year, five moths old.   Yeah..he has had lots of stress lately.  I am thinking thats what is causing all this.   Maybe he is just learning that there are things to be afraid of now too??  i'm really not sure.  He seems to be a little more at ease this evening and isnt following me around as much, so we'll see.

[Leslie]

Well, it's been my experience that too much hovering and cuddling and checking on him will not help.  Whenever Zuzu gets a hurtie, DH just won't let her be and it freaks her out a little bit and she'll go hide.  When she gets an owie around me, I say"  "Oh! an owie!  How about that!" in a real sing songy voice.  She'll cock her head and then continue what she' was doing.
Reward him when he is being good "normal" and speak to him in a normal tone of voice when he seems nervous.
i know this works because Loki is no longer afraid of big trucks and buses.  She would pull and try to run but I just kept saying.  "That IS a big bus.  My it's yellow." Whatever.  Now she only gets scared when the gosh darn things pull right up to us.
Also, try to keep the routine as same as you can.  It really helps them feel confident when they eat at the same time, go to bed at the same time, etc.  Every night at 9 o'clock it's "Time to go home!" and Loki bolts to her crate.
Give it a few weeks and see how he does.  Good luck!

[Teresa]

I also wonder if it's all the stresses he has had lately. Also, changing from the crate from the bed could be making a difference. He has lost his "den". I don't know if that was a secure place for him or not, but it may be making a difference. Is he sleeping ok at night?

[Leslie]

Oh yeah, give him his crate back!!

I always crate at night.  This really pays off when they are sick!  Then there is no struggle to get in the crate.  He needs his crate; it makes him feel secure.

[Sandishooligans]

Great advice here!  Perhaps you could use a little Rescue Remedy in his water or food?  Sounds like having his own "cave" would be a real good thing too. 

Hey Porky!  Dis is Dolly.  D'ya know what I do when I'm nervous?  I crawl under my blankies on the couch.  Sometime when I'm scared, dat's da best place to be.  Mommy sometimes laffs at me because I'm hiding but my booty is sticking out.  I also bark very bravely...even though I'm hiding.

[doxielady5569128]

Hey Dolly- Dats what I do too!!!  I likes to hide under the blankies wif my booty hanging out!!    Its so much better dat way.   I'm not so nervous today.  I've been relaxing, trying to catch up on all dat sleep.  Babies are hard work!!!  Good fing I can never have any of my own!  Dat would be too much.   Also I have dat neighbor boy to take care of now, he writes me letters and draws me pictures.