Thursday, February 18, 2016

Sydney

Some of you have asked how Sydney is doing with her mental problems, so here's a little update. Syd is on Prozac and taking anger management classes. So far all is going well. There have been no sneak attacks in four months.

Each morning she takes three Prozac capsules with her breakfast. Then, weather permitting, she spends a lot of time outside. Dr B says she needs plenty of exercise and space to work off her anxiety.
Outside she can manage to get along with the other dogs because she doesn't feel crowded.
When the weather isn't cooperating, she has learned how to avoid stress by finding her safe places. Safest of all is her crate, which she loves. She has a couple blankets and her toy cow and she enjoys nesting where she feels totally safe.

She also has a spot in the garage where she goes and sits quietly. The others know to leave her alone when she's in that spot and she waits for one of us to escort her somewhere safe. She has learned to wait outside till all the other dogs are in and then she can come in calmly, no craziness with everyone jumping around.

She eats by herself with either Rob or me sitting with her and giving her encouragement. We both try to use only positive language with her and not stress her with our commands or tone. She is no longer allowed in the main part of the house where she gets overstimulated.
I have been doing simple obedience commands with her and she learns quickly and loves the attention. Since starting the drugs she has a greatly decreased appetite and treats aren't an incentive, so I just use a lot of happy talk and petting. It seems to be working.

Syd's very favorite activity is hunting. She's part Beagle and part Dachshund, so it comes naturally and she spends a lot of time patrolling the yard and keeping squirrels up in the trees. She did manage to catch a squirrel a couple months ago, but her main prey is the huge mole population.
 Yesterday was a good day for Syd, not so good for the moles.

9 comments:

Lapdog Creations said...

So glad to hear she's doing well and learning to show you when she needs to get to her safe spot. Yay Syd! Do you think she'll be able to come back to the main part of the house in the future?

Marjie said...

If the mole population is huge, then Sydney is just what you needed. I'm so glad you've found a way to work around her issues; she is so lucky to have found you and Rob!

Matilda the Boxer said...

Sydney's lucky to have such grreat pawrents who understand her issues and work with her on it!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

It sounds like Sydney is doing well with her meds and your behavioral techniques and her own good sense. Those moles are the ugliest critter ever - we hope they stay away from our lawn this year. We see lots of tunnels along the trail where we walk.

Woos -Ciara and Lightning

Molly the Airedale said...

It sounds like Syd's routine is working beautifully. She sure is lucky to have you, Sue and Rob!

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Sounds like it's under control! Great work from all of you.

Two French Bulldogs said...

Sounds good!
Lily & Edward

rottrover said...

This is such a great update! Thanks for sharing! YOU GO, SYD!!

Ruby Rose and the Big Little Angels 3 said...

It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job with her