I hesitate putting this in "Problem Behaviors" as I really see this as a result of many things, and see it more as a challenge, than a problem. But, Rubi's always had fear and shyness issues. Before Grady, I had worked to build her confidence and she eventually did. When Grady came around, he even gave her that extra little boost she needed to be a more balanced dog.
Well, since he's been gone, she's resorted back to her "old" ways. She went through a bit of a picky-eater phases - normal for the most part, but she almost seemed afraid of her food. Picking up a piece, taking it to the living room, pawing at it, nibbling it, and eventually eating it. I think she wore herself out, cuz she'd go lay down after all that work for one lil piece of food. LOL She used to do this at every meal til Grady came around. Then eating became a fun contest and she'd eat with gusto, finish her bowl and wait for Grady to finish (or vice versa) to lick his bowl.
I've been taking her out as much as possible. Being an only dog, I don't want her life to be miserable. So when we go out, we try to take her with us. Or even just go sit in the front yard to look at the action. She's been getting lots of walks in and that had been a problem that started up about 2 years ago. I couldn't get to the corner of our culdasac without her freaking out and dragging me back home. Bring Grady, and she walked with her head held high. So, from what I saw, she ended up relying on him a bit too much.
I tried working with her while he was still here and we'd make progress, then have setbacks. We had just been getting back to making progress when he died. So, now she's back to getting down the street and running back home.
So, I've been working on this all again. Not wanting her to be a miserable house dog, we get out on walks nearly everyday - even if it's just to the mailbox and back. We're playing ALOT of tug - her favorite game - and trying to get her to play in the front yard too.
She's really starting to come around. We can now walk about a mile with very little "fear" moments. She even forges ahead now (she pulled constantly with Grady around) and will get a little happy trot going. She lets us know if din-din is late. She brings toys to us to play. She's had 2 dogs walk up on our walk and after a bit of a shy greeting, turned around ready to play. In the past, her and Grady would try to bully - not aggressive, but be a couple of "bullies."
So, I'm proud to say she's making great progress and quicker than I thought she would. She's also not licking her hoo-hoo much either. She used to constantly lick, and somehow that's stopped right after her passed. I feel like she's starting to come back. I know alot of it has to do with her grief and a bit of a regression because of that, but I won't let her sit around and sulk and it's so neat to see her coming back out of her shell.
We're going to MD in a couple of weeks for my husband's grandmother's birthday and for a baby shower in Philly. There will be other dogs there and it will be interesting to see how she maintains her confidence, or if she forgets. She loves Koho and Bear, so hopefully, it will help gve her a little boost. I'm just so glad to see her bouncing back. Her little nubbin is waggin, she's smiling, and she's back to her lil bunny hop when we're getting ready for walks.
