[Krystena2135]

One of my babies, Madaya (3 yr old red doberman) acts very strangely. She came to me when she was 1 1/2 yrs from a breeder who said she was her pet and even slept inside with her, but since I've had her, she panics when inside. she"ll see a reflection from a passing car and flip out, so bad in fact that she'll sometimes run into walls trying to get away. We had a very advanced surround sound system installed into the walls and ceiling of our house---yeah right! She often just stays in her crate unless she's very scared, then you can usually find her under the bed. I can usually get her to come down the hallway (reluctantly) from the bedroom (my/her room) by calling her, but once she's made eye contact, she's gone, and she will not go into open spaces of the house, even with the promise of a treat. I feel as though she's miserable indoors. There are times, when I wont even know what has frightened her, and she will shake violently, even in my arms. We joke that she sees dead people because we cant find any other explanation. Please help! we are willing to try anything. We love her very much and it hurts to think that she's not happy.

[suebgone]

you've had her a year & a half but done nothing for her?? I just don't understand that. at least you mentioned nothing

have you taken her to obedience classes? had a behavorist evaluate her?

obviously the "breeder" lied. your dog needs more socialization, not less. if company is coming, leash her to you & do not let them come near the dog. have them act normally & sit & converse & ignore her completely.

how often do you walk her outside? should be at least twice a day. I would suggest a prong collar that you have a trainer properly fit for her. this will prevent her escaping if she freaks out.

has she been thoroughly checked by a vet for a nurological problem or eyesight defect? hormonal imbalance? is she now spayed?

lots of praise when she does come & little pieces of cooked chicken don't hurt either. this dog probably spent the first year in a dark room by the sounds of it.

[Krystena2135]

I should have listed the things I've done. I used to work at the humane society so I have a few friends that are willing to lend themselves for a good cause. She doesn't bark at anyone in the house and will sit and stay with me when she's on a leash. She doesnt act aggressively towards them at all, she just sits and trembles. She is not comfortable unless she is outside. When she's outside, she will allow herself to be pet, but only by the few friends she's seen several times. I take her for walks through the neighborhood and she's fine. We'll see other dogs and nothing from her. As for obedience training, I had a trainer that came to the house (since that's where her problems seem to be) and really saw close to no results with the problems we had. After 8 sessions at 85 bucks a pop, the trainer tried to bring her in the house to see if she would sit for her in the living room, Madaya became so upset she had diarrhea. After three more sessions she vomited and the trainer and I decided that this type of training wasn't having the effect we wanted. Madaya will do all normal obediance "tricks" for me when we are in the bedroom and outside. If its a quiet afternoon, and Ive been giving her extra special attention that day she will sometimes sit for me in the living room. Other times if she wants to be near me in the living room, she will run around the couch or chair, wherever I'm sitting, but she wont be still unless I grab her and hold her.

[suebgone]

ahhh ok, and you are sure there is no health issue causing any of this?

honestly I hate to say this but it sounds like a typical puppy mill dog

are you familiar with the Bach Flower Remedies? available thru health food stores or Buy Bach Rescue Remedy/Spray/Cream at iHealthTree.com

you can mix up to 3 together & they work wonders. the rock rose is especially good for dogs with thunderphobia

AGRIMONY: urinary incontinence,

ASPEN: fear of the unfamiliar - fireworks, vet visit, separation anxiety.

BEECH: intolerance of strange people or animals, allergies, rejection by an old dog of the new one.

CENTAURY: timid, subservient, quiet ( submissive urination ) for the runt being rejected by siblings.

CERATO: for the easily distracted dog during training & CHRONIC BARKERS

CHERRY PLUM: fear aggression.

CHESTNUT BUD: use during training to avoid repeating mistakes

CHICORY: teaches unconditional love ( feral ) use for dominance & for dog that tries to possess owner by never taking his eyes off of her.

CLEMATIS: helps with recovery from drugs, trauma, surgery, whelping, may help inattention.

CRAB APPLE: use for cleansing for smelly coats, dermatitis & treat infections

ELM: use when feeling overwhelmed - such as before showing ( adoptathons )

GENTIAN: teaches confidence, helps depression after loss of friend or bad experience.

GORSE: hopelessness, despair, slow recovery from chronic disease.

HEATHER: excessive attention getting barking or yowling.

HOLLY: use to treat aggression & jealousy

HONEYSUCKLE: separation anxiety, weakness from blood loss or illness

HORNBEAM: teaches mental liveliness & alertness, enthusiasm for life

IMPATIENS: for irritable nervous animals, those that act & think too quickly, can also help pain.

LARCH: builds self confidence & determination, for cowering submissive animals that may have been abused.

MIMULUS: for fears of noise, thunder, stranger. aggressive when cornered.

MUSTARD: for sudden depression, gives up hope, wants solitude

OAK: for those who never give up, regardless of difficulties, excellent for endurance competitions & rebuild strength after physical stress.

OLIVE: for mental & physical exhaustion caused by illness or ordeals. Also a cleanser

RED CHESTNUT: for the dog who is afraid for those he loves - stands at the window until he returns. separation anxiety

ROCK ROSE: thunder storms (works wonders) extreme fear

ROCK WATER: stubborness,, joint stiffness

SCLERANTHUS: seizures, loss of balance (strokes) & car sickness

STAR OF BETHLEHEM: trauma & shock ( now or if happened in the past ) such as HBC, loss of a limb - appears withdrawn.

SWEET CHESTNUT: extreme anguish, worry etc ( new home )

VERVAIN: can calm the hyperactive dog intense barking & jumping can help with the tendency to roam or escape ( door darters )

VINE: hard to train, strong willed

WALNUT: eases transition ( new home ) moving, loss of a limb

WATER VIOLET: for loners, aloof, teaches interaction with others, very good for cats.

WHITE CHESTNUT: for nervous, anxious animals

WILD OAT: depression from boredom after retirement from competition, are destructive ( feather plucking )

WILD ROSE: for resignation & apathy

WILLOW: for resentment ie: destructive behavior

[Krystena2135]

When I went to the breeders house Madaya was inside on the couch, with several members of the family.

The breeder had recently had an accident, could no longer use her hands and was relying on her family to take care of her and the dogs. She was finding them all homes.

Bringing her home the first time, she escaped from the car at a gas station and we had to chase her down. Once home she acted very skittish, meeting another dog, and a new environment ...i expected this.

At the humane society, i saw people return dogs (like they where clothes that didn't fit!) after three days for not coming to their names, acting scared, not getting along with the other dog....etc I wanted to give her time.

I didn't get her a crate right away, because the breeder said she wasn't crate trained, and after having chased her down, I really wanted to build her trust. At the time i thought it was best (stupid now). She had nowhere to go when she was overwhelmed.

At some point it went from giving her time to reinforcing bad behavior. After about two months, i began working with her, with basic obedience outside on a lead (which she had never seen). After about 4 mos I started realizing all the different parameters of our problem.

I tried different things recommended by friends, and volunteer trainers. None seemed to have the desired effect. If Ignored her when she was behaving badly she wouldn't stop. She would hide for hours not even coming out to urinate after 18 hours.

After a year of working with her inside and outside, she runs out every once in a while to see whats up, then right back into her crate. If I say "Madaya lets go outside" she'll run through the house to the back door.

I know there are things that I've done wrong, but trust that my heart is in the right place, and that i would do anything. this is very long, and sorry but there are so many variables and parameters. there are actually more.

She's been spayed and i haven't asked my vet about the eyes or mental illness. thats a great lead, I definetly will and get back to you, but until then if you have any other suggestions i would really appreciate them.

[suebgone]

honestly it really does sound like you've gone way beyond what 99% of people would have done.

I thought perhaps the two of you going to ob classes might help build her confidence but that doesn't seem to be the issue now that you have given more info.

has your vet offered any suggestions? I hope he can help you, but please also take a good look at the Bach's

I know what you mean about people returning dogs without giving them a chance - the worst one I ever saw was the woman returning the 3 mo old puppy because if jumped up on her kid. Ya just wanna choke the crap out of them.

this really is how mill dogs act tho & the reason most are returned.

[nattiej1976]

It may be worth given the Bach flower remedies a go, I had not heard of them until readings suebgone's post above, I just asked around another forum I go to reguarly and they are just praising the remedy through the roof. Many of them saying that it has been a god sent to help not just their dogs through hard times but their kids and loved ones.......given that it is natural and harmless, almost woth the risk of just giving it a go, to see if it helps calm your dog.

I just made an order for some