I have a dog, Danny, who has become really scared and anxious. We used to go for long walks around the neighborhood or hikes in the park where he could search for squirrels. But in the last couple of weeks Danny has become really scared when we're only a block or so from home and he's ready to sprint back home. If he wasn't on a leash he would be running as fast as he could to get back home. And now at night, if he hears the slightest sound, he starts to panic.
I know there are some dog people in this forum and I wanted to ask their advice. None of my dogs has acted like this and I'm not sure what to do.
Danny is a rescue and I've had him about a year and a half. He's a shepard/husky mix and aside from the recent problems, he's been a great dog.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Maybe you could borrow a couple of extra dogs to form a pack for your dog. Fear seems to be a learned behavior. Perhaps your dog could be distracted around other dogs long enough to learn to be calm. Just take care who is learning from who.
I once had a fearful rescue almost make a bomb proof lab gun shy.

Sudden changes in behavior often indicates a vet visit is in order.

There may be an underlying physical condition that brought on this change.

downtownV has CBD oils for dogs that help with anxiety, calms them down, might be worth a look.

quote:

Originally posted by daikyu:
Sudden changes in behavior often indicates a vet visit is in order.

There may be an underlying physical condition that brought on this change.

Agreed. Especially if you’ve had him for so long and there’s been no issues up to this point.

Thanks. I will follow up with his vet

quote:

Originally posted by irreverent:

quote:

Originally posted by daikyu:
Sudden changes in behavior often indicates a vet visit is in order.

There may be an underlying physical condition that brought on this change.

Agreed. Especially if you’ve had him for so long and there’s been no issues up to this point.

Sudden changes like that with no associated input can be indicative of a thyroid imbalance. I would discuss thyroid battery blood work with your vet.

You have had him for a year and a half, but how old is he?

I ask because dogs go through fear stages in life at 10 weeks, 1 year, 1 1/2 years.

Usually if you give positive reinforcement and are calm, they grow out of it. Don't push, reward only good and positive behavior, ignoring negative behavior.

If older than 1 1/2 or 2 years a Vet visit may be in order. But try reward and reinforcing positive and good behavior and ignoring bad first, without being pushy. Let the dog indicate how much is too much.

ARman