I think that we have a moody adolescent.
You know how young teenage girls can go from lovable, happy and drawing smiley faces, flowers and hearts on everything one minute, to crying, screaming, "Why are you always picking on me...it's not fair...nobody likes me" the next minute? The type of behavior that leaves those around them thinking, ".....what the....?"
Our moody adolescent is a blind nine month old puppy named Breeze.
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| "I'm too cute to be moody!" |
I've been thinking about her behavior that I've mentioned previously. The sudden growls, barks and air snaps that occurred while she was eating and while laying quietly. There is never any competition for food. No other dogs are closer than ten feet to her while she eats behind an expandable baby gate. (I measured. I'm like that.) For whatever reason, Breeze is now a happy-go-lucky pup at meal times. When she's finished eating, she sits quietly and waits for the gate to be moved. I've done nothing different. Same blanket to stand on, same routine (sit, shake, good girl) same food, same dish. Not a sound other than the kibbles clinking off the sides of the metal dish.
The growls, air snaps and barks as she lay quietly on the couch or bed would occur in patterns of no more than 15 minutes apart. Often it would be 8 to 10 minutes and she'd seem panicked about something. One day, I whispered, more to myself in frustration than anything else "Breeze, why do you do that? You're safe." She immediately wagged her tail and quieted. So, 12 minutes later, when she started again, I whispered. Same reaction. Huh? It's working so that's what I do now. Whisper and "sshhhh."
Breeze comes upstairs to bed (depending on whether or not it's a work day/night) and her outbursts there are becoming less frequent. I'm also seeing longer times, up to an hour, between her outbursts in the living room.
So, maybe it's jut a phase she's going through. A moody adolescent type of thing that she is beginning to out grow.
Here's hoping!
Here's hoping!
Ah, that is such good news, we will keep our paws crossed that she was just going thru a stage. still we will say this again, she is so lucky to be with your family.
ReplyDeleteBert
Thanks Bert! We think that we're very lucky to have Breeze.
DeleteWe haven't had the 'moody' adolescent, we just have the 'I'm not going to listen to you' teen. The one who has forgotten every thing she's learned! Maybe Breeze just needed that extra assurance. Or while crunching on food, she couldn't hear and was just letting anything around that she was in charge.
ReplyDeleteSo glad it's working out okay.
XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy
It would be so interesting to know what really goes on in those doggy heads! You'll never tell us everything, will you?
DeleteBreeze, you sure are cute!!
ReplyDeleteIt must be a phase
Cotton
Oh Cotton, you're cute too!
DeleteI certainly hope so for you as well! I always think of Braylon as my reluctant teenage daughter since I do so much for her yet she seems to adore her dad the most no matter what and looks at me like, Ohhh... you're still here? But she's not a teenager anymore! ;)
ReplyDeleteJust for a day, wouldn't it be something to know what they're thinking? Wait, maybe that wouldn't be so great...we might hear things we don't want to know!
DeleteMaybe she is still figuring out the world without sight and your voice obviously comforts her! I know once in a while my dogs hear things that I cannot for the life of me figure out.
ReplyDeleteThe interesting thing is that this isn't something that she's always done, it started a few months ago. Who knows!
DeleteI doubt that you'll ever know the reason, unless you determine there's some physical/health issue. It's good news that the outbursts are becoming less frequent!
ReplyDeleteSusan and Wrigs
I know that she is healthy, she's been to the vet's for a check up, weight checks and vaccines, that's why I think she's just going through a moody stage! I'll be glad when she outgrows it.
DeleteBreeze, you are just so sweet. We hope those whispers keep making you feel better. Take care all. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory
ReplyDeleteThanks! Just proves that being loud isn't effective. Quiet commands are better.
DeleteHow very interesting and bizarre! Did she do this from the get-go or did it start after you'd had her for awhile? It must be kind of worrisome to think that she's feeling threatened. I'm glad to hear she seems to be growing out of it.
ReplyDeleteLordy but she's cute.
Breeze only started this a few months ago which is the odd thing. Nothing happened, nobody was after her or her food, they're well supervised and crated when nobody is home.
DeleteYa, she is rather cute!
Oh the teenage doggie years. I do not miss those at all! By the sounds of it, you're dealing with her little outbursts just fine. Only time will tell if she will grow out of them. Hope you and the pack had a great weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteI think that I am surprised and a bit puzzled since none of the other young ones did this. Oh well, if that's the worst problem, we're very lucky!
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