Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had Peanut,my chi mix for 8-9 years,we've been through severel houses and have lived with a mix of people and other animals(I had a stepdad who teased her...until she bit his ankle THROUGH a thick pair of shoes,and drew blood if he got near her,yes,he's out of the picture,me and Mom had our own place for a while,and Peanut did very well living with cats(one came up and had a litter,so we moved her and the kittens inside)she's spent most of her life at my grandparents(where I'm at now)though when we moved back from my stepdad's,my aunt and uncle lived there for a few years with Peanuts brother(to this day,they still do nothing but fight over everything when thier together),a (relitively)big brown chi(they got along great),and a rat terrier,there's much less people and critters here now,just me,Mom,and grandparents,the cat lives outdoors,Peanuts been stressing out when I leave because I had a college dorm for two semesters,so no telling when I'd come back

here's the problem,she's never been one to hide out anywhere,and yet this summer,she's been spending most of the days under a small table,she'll reach out and "pat" at me to pet her,but she doesn't like coming out,the only differences I can see are 1.I've moved back until fall semester and 2.my little cousins have been spending a lot of time here(one of which has treated her like a doll in the past,so she doesn't like either,but she usually doesn't hide from them)
could it be stress?age?(arthritis and kids not mixing)anxiety?feeling crowded(though it's been worse than this before)in the house?

>>I've had Peanut,my chi mix for 8-9 years,we've been through severel houses and have lived with a mix of people and other animals(I had a stepdad who teased her...until she bit his ankle THROUGH a thick pair of shoes,and drew blood if he got near her,yes,he's out of the picture,me and Mom had our own place for a while,and Peanut did very well living with cats(one came up and had a litter,so we moved her and the kittens inside)she's spent most of her life at my grandparents(where I'm at now)though when we moved back from my stepdad's,my aunt and uncle lived there for a few years with Peanuts brother(to this day,they still do nothing but fight over everything when thier together),a (relitively)big brown chi(they got along great),and a rat terrier,there's much less people and critters here now,just me,Mom,and grandparents,the cat lives outdoors,Peanuts been stressing out when I leave because I had a college dorm for two semesters,so no telling when I'd come back
>>
>>here's the problem,she's never been one to hide out anywhere,and yet this summer,she's been spending most of the days under a small table,she'll reach out and "pat" at me to pet her,but she doesn't like coming out,the only differences I can see are 1.I've moved back until fall semester and 2.my little cousins have been spending a lot of time here(one of which has treated her like a doll in the past,so she doesn't like either,but she usually doesn't hide from them)
>>could it be stress?age?(arthritis and kids not mixing)anxiety?feeling crowded(though it's been worse than this before)in the house?

>>>>>>>>>>>

It could be any or all the factors you named. Dogs need stability in their lives. All these changes would throw any dog.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

well,I know having so many changes can stress anyone(people or thier pets)out,it's just she's handled everything so well until now,and things are starting to settle down

with school starting,it's actually cheaper to get a nearby apartment,and I'll probably do that,but not many apartments allow pets,I'm looking into having her live with me though

we went outside and sunned in the driveway this morning,she's been very affectionate,but not as playful as she usually is,I've been carrying her around a bit,and she's been going to sleep on my lap,or climbing down to get back under the table,maybe dogs just get the blues sometimes?I don't want to be pushy,but my child does have four legs and fur....I don't like seeing her like this

well,now that I've been home on a regular basis,I've made a point of getting her toys out and playing,even washed her favorite blanket(it had ants,so she hasn't had one)and put it under the table with her,she's fine now,though she's never done anything like that before,so I was worried,she was even nice at the vets today,which is good for her(our vets a man,(she doesn't like men)and she remembers which nurses can clip her toenails,give her shots,ect.)she shook and licked thier hands(the way dogs do when they REALLY wish you wern't doing something)but didn't fight back

maybe her ears hurt or her hearing was funky,she has yeast in her ears that became immune to what we were treating her with,but she's back to her usual self,even drug the blanket out today and made a nest by my bed

Glad to hear a positive report.

My girl LaVie moved with me between 4 different places and when I traveled for work she accompanied me on my trips. She was my flying buddy. One thing I learned in all the years I had with her was to listen to my "sixth" sense... If I thought she was not quite right then there was a reason for it. I just had to figure out what it was... I would always take her bed and blanket with us. I also learned to give her one of my shirts/sweatshirts in her bed in a strange place, that seemed to make a big difference.

Sounds to me like you know your little girl VERY well.

.
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tabitha
Kahla and Kayo