Advice For Super Nervous Grey In Move

[Guest mitchelldm7]

Hello all,

 

I have a wonderful 6 year old Grey ... She's been with me for a few years now.

 

Just this week we have relocated to another home. This isn't really new for her ... I've moved a couple of times over the years. This one has just seemed to hit her the hardest. After being in the home for just a few minutes, she's already developed 'paths' in the house and invisible boundaries that she just will not cross. For example, a small hallway connecting the living room to the kitchen - literally just 4-5 feet long - but she will stand at one end and whine until I come to escort her across.

 

And by escort, I mean literally hold her collar and walk with her ... if I let go at any point, she stops dead in her tracks.

 

Further, she's been great with stairs in the past -- but here, she stops dead at the last stair coming down - isn't willing to take the final step onto the floor. She requires another 'escort' to get down.

 

If I'm sitting in one room and she's in another, she will literally whine and whine until I come to get her - again, having to hold her collar into the room. It's worse if I'm on another floor. I've placed dog beds in every major room for her comfort ... but I need her to be able to make these trips on her own. She won't even go into the kitchen to eat or drink unless I take her there.

 

This isn't a health concern, of course - but it's definitely speaking to her psychologic state of mind. I'd love for her to be more comfortable and happier. Any advice?

 

Best,

Derek

[OwnedBySummer]

I can only question about the staircase... what's at the bottom? If it's bare floor, mine wouldn't step down that last step, either. I have to keep a small rubber-backed mat there. Maybe that's all she needs for that particular problem?

[Guest mitchelldm7]

Good idea. It is bare (hardwood) floor. Though it was in my last house as well, maybe this is something different to her. I'll give it a shot. Thanks.

 

I can only question about the staircase... what's at the bottom? If it's bare floor, mine wouldn't step down that last step, either. I have to keep a small rubber-backed mat there. Maybe that's all she needs for that particular problem?

[OwnedBySummer]

Figuring out what is going on in their pretty little heads is a challenge. Maybe the hardwood is a different color and that's just enough to be different, hence frightening. Here's hoping a mat solves at least the one thing. How about that hallway? Is it also bare floor? Have you tried a runner on it?

 

Another thought... are her nails any longer than usual? Maybe something changed with her pedicure schedule?

Edited February 18, 2012 by OwnedBySummer

[philospher77]

I second the "throw rugs on bare floors" approach, in case it's just the change in surface that's bothering her. If that's not the issue, this is a case where I might consider a short case of drugs in order to bring her stress levels down so that she can learn that the house is a safe place, and then take her off of them once she has settled in. Definitely lots of counter-conditioning if you go with the drugs, and you may want to try that before the drugs if you want. Basically, reward her for any brave act she takes toward the spooky areas. Give her treats while walking her through them, that sort of thing.

[GeorgeofNE]

The floors may be shinier, more slippery, or even have more "bounce" to them when she steps on them.

 

I've had my dog for over 4 years, and he's still terrified of wood floors.

 

Throw rugs are your friend!

[Fruitycake]

Are there any shadows or odd lights/reflections that might be bothering her? Any weird airflows or noises that are different in the hallway? Is that area hardwood too? Maybe she doesn't like the hallway feel or the sounds she makes walking through or there's weird (for her) lighting or airflow.

 

I'd be careful about always escorting her through, because while it helps now it might just entrench that she "needs" it in her little doggie mind. Have you tried feeding her on the opposite side of the hallway from where she's stuck without escorting her there? Dropping the absolute best treats in the hall for her to follow? Make sure it's well lit and there aren't shadows or anything dark on the other end?

 

It's so hard to figure out what makes any animal spooky about things (dogs & horses especially).

[Guest june]

Sounds like a floor problem. As others have said, throw rugs. Luring her through the hall with treats and a throw rug could help her a lot.

Patience, patience, patience.

Good luck.

june

[greysmom]

Throw rugs, patience, and really yummy treats! Ge the best, tastiest treat that she LOVES! After you put the throw rugs down, try luring her with the treats. Even if you do have to walk her, try using her leash and not grabbing her collar - it's a little more impersonal and might give her more of a sense of autonomy - and treat, treat, treat and praise, praise, praise when she gets across!