Is there something wrong?

[bc4ever]

This is probably going to sound strange, but here goes. I was out of town for four days last week, and ever since I've been home, Scooter has what I can only describe as a worried, tentative look on his normally happy face. Ears pinned back, eyes wide--almost fearful. He doesn't appear to be in pain or ill. His appetite and energy level seem okay. Before I left, he had been shaking his head, like he had something in his ears, but he's no longer doing that. Am I being paranoid again? Something just seems "off."

[afrancis]

This is probably going to sound strange, but here goes. I was out of town for four days last week, and ever since I've been home, Scooter has what I can only describe as a worried, tentative look on his normally happy face. Ears pinned back, eyes wide--almost fearful. He doesn't appear to be in pain or ill. His appetite and energy level seem okay. Before I left, he had been shaking his head, like he had something in his ears, but he's no longer doing that. Am I being paranoid again? Something just seems "off."

 

I'm a great believer in gut instinct. Have you left Scooter before? If no, maybe he's upset because you were gone for four days. How is his digestive system? Was he given lots of treats while you were away and does he have diarhea? Who took care of him? Have they taken care of him before? It could just be a routine disruption that has made him weird, or maybe he did have something in one of his ears and its been bothering him. Have you checked - is he sensitive there? The burrs are coming out now -- maybe he picked up something that was irritating him.

I actually find that when DH says to Skye, "Are you alright?" she begins to actually look worried, like maybe something is actually wrong when there is nothing. So I chastise him and tell him not to do that because it actually seems to upset her. Maybe that's what's happening with Scooter -- are you hovering over him? If so, maybe he's picking up on that and thinks that, in combination with you having been away, is cause for his concern.

I know, just thoughts but maybe one of these is the culprit.

Let us know how he gets along,

Ailsa

[powerfulgazelle]

When Kip came home from the groomer's with sliced foot pads, he did not act as if he were in pain, necessarily, but he just looked "worried" to me. (We noticed the pads about a day later.)

 

Perhaps with the ear shaking he has either a foxtail or an ear infection of some sort?

 

I hope he's soon back to himself.

[bc4ever]

I'm a great believer in gut instinct. Have you left Scooter before? If no, maybe he's upset because you were gone for four days. How is his digestive system? Was he given lots of treats while you were away and does he have diarhea? Who took care of him? Have they taken care of him before? It could just be a routine disruption that has made him weird, or maybe he did have something in one of his ears and its been bothering him. Have you checked - is he sensitive there? The burrs are coming out now -- maybe he picked up something that was irritating him.

I actually find that when DH says to Skye, "Are you alright?" she begins to actually look worried, like maybe something is actually wrong when there is nothing. So I chastise him and tell him not to do that because it actually seems to upset her. Maybe that's what's happening with Scooter -- are you hovering over him? If so, maybe he's picking up on that and thinks that, in combination with you having been away, is cause for his concern.

I know, just thoughts but maybe one of these is the culprit.

Let us know how he gets along,

Ailsa

 

I've been gone overnight, but never this long. His digestive system seems fine, although I have no idea what my husband fed him while I was away. He tends to give him too much food, and too many treats. It could be the disruption in his routine--I'm usually home all day with him.

 

Guilty. I've been asking Scooter if he's alright, and hovering. I was talking to him tonight and he was tilting his head back and forth, the way they do, and he did look worried. It could be that he thinks there is something wrong, by my attitude. God--they pick up on everything, don't they? I'll keep an eye on him and try not to pester him tomorrow and see if that helps. Thanks!!

[Tranquilis]

It could be that he thinks there is something wrong, by my attitude. God--they pick up on everything, don't they? I'll keep an eye on him and try not to pester him tomorrow and see if that helps. Thanks!!

You know, if I told you to not think of the number two, you'd have one hell of a time not thinking of exactly that number. Rather than worrying about not worrying, do something concrete that is positive, and that will distract you from the number two... Like thinking of the number four, instead.

 

Go to the park, play fetch, whatever; do something that you both think is fun. Then Scooter will be having a good time, and you can stop worrying because you'll see that he's fine, and once you stop worrying, he really will be fine.

[bc4ever]

You know, if I told you to not think of the number two, you'd have one hell of a time not thinking of exactly that number. Rather than worrying about not worrying, do something concrete that is positive, and that will distract you from the number two... Like thinking of the number four, instead.

 

Go to the park, play fetch, whatever; do something that you both think is fun. Then Scooter will be having a good time, and you can stop worrying because you'll see that he's fine, and once you stop worrying, he really will be fine.

 

You're right of course. We're going out to play in a few minutes. A romp in the pool, a few Frisbee tosses, hide and seek. I don't know why I worry about him so much. Menopause? LOL!

[Root Beer]

Guilty. I've been asking Scooter if he's alright, and hovering. I was talking to him tonight and he was tilting his head back and forth, the way they do, and he did look worried. It could be that he thinks there is something wrong, by my attitude. God--they pick up on everything, don't they? I'll keep an eye on him and try not to pester him tomorrow and see if that helps. Thanks!!

 

Here's a little trick that I find really helpful. When I am worried about my dog, I will say to him in a very matter of fact tone of voice, "I'm really worried about you right now."

 

Dogs can read us and if we try to pretend everything is fine when we are worried, they know. Of course we don't want to be all "hover-y" either. I've found that the "happy medium" is to verbally acknowledge my worries to my dog and then I can usually go on with life.

 

It's fine to be watchful and alert to signs of a problem. And I find that it's fine for my dogs to know that.

[Shetlander]

If he continues to act oddly, despite getting him to play and you displaying a less concerned attitude about him, I would take him to the vet. You mentioned he had been shaking his head before you left. I'd wonder if he wasn't feeling that well, even though he is no longer shaking his head.

 

Of course, this thought process might be why my vets love to see me coming. My first step would be to see if he could relax and have fun. But if he continues to look unhappy, I'd take him in.

[bc4ever]

If he continues to act oddly, despite getting him to play and you displaying a less concerned attitude about him, I would take him to the vet. You mentioned he had been shaking his head before you left. I'd wonder if he wasn't feeling that well, even though he is no longer shaking his head.

 

Of course, this thought process might be why my vets love to see me coming. My first step would be to see if he could relax and have fun. But if he continues to look unhappy, I'd take him in.

 

LOL! The first year we had Scooter, my vet got to know us up close and personal. I think maybe one of those visits turned out to actually be something. Everyone in the office knew who Scooter was. And who his panicky owner was! There are times....I wish he could talk!! But, if I can't shake the feeling that something's wrong, I'll take him in and pay the price for my paranoia.