Why is Sophie so stressed and hyperactive that she struggles to settle or enjoy walks? Sophie is a 7-year-old Springer Spaniel. She is stressed and hyperactive for much of the time, panting, pacing and crying. This can continue for hours and she only really settles within the confines and restrictions Read more
My arrival stirred him up. He did a lot of jumping up.
Then he started looking for shadows and reflections. He obsessively chases shadows. He growls and barks at them. He was very restless all evening. He even had to be held still so I could take a photo of him.
It is a tribute to his great personality that he is not aggressive or fearful – or both. In fact, I have very seldom watched while someone behaves in such an inappropriate way with their dog.
Just under four weeks ago I visited William and Fergus – Whippet brothers that fought. Walks were a nightmare as the excitable William would redirect his stress onto Fergus, especially if they came across a cat – to such an extent that they were muzzled on walks. Both dogs would Read more
Previously Cleo had been a stray. Clearly she had to find her own food by hunting and scavenging and she became self-sufficient. She has a strong prey drive. As a stray she could go where she liked, she could chase what she liked and she could stop to rest when she liked. She had to look out for trouble in order to protect herself.