Help with terrified dog!

[CatchingBabies]

I'm looking after my mums dog (in her house) whilst she is away. The dog is normally quiet and nervous but friendly.

Since my mum has left the dog won't eat or drink. I've tried treat foods with no luck and I've marked the water bowl to check she isn't drinking when no one is around.

She won't leave her bed at all, no amount of coaxing will get her to move which means she won't go out to wee (and hasn't done since my mum left) and hasn't been walked.

All she does is sit in her bed and shake when approached, if I get to close she snarls and bit my hand when I tried to encourage her to eat. She knows me and isn't normally like this she's clearly terrified.

It's been 48 hours now with no improvement and I'm worried about her not drinking. Is there anything I can do to help her relax?

Do you know of any dogs which your mums dog knows and likes? If so could they come round and see if they can perk her up? You can also buy plug in pheromone diffusers which are mesnt to relax dogs which might help.

When is your mum back?

She isn't dog friendly so isn't normally walked with dogs. My mum is back Friday but I'm worried she could be ill from dehydration by then. I was thinking of syringing some water in her mouth but I'm likely to get bitten badly in the process. I've also today bought a pet remedy plug in from the vets but too early to make a difference yet.

Could she be in pain? Though how you'd find out without getting bitten I don't know.

Tbh I'd be getting your mum to come back at this point.

You either need to get her to a vet , or get the vet to come to you and / or get your mother back .

I don't think she's in pain I think she very distressed at being left. My mum lives alone and the dog is poorly socialised, hence being dog aggressive. She dosnt have many visitors and she dosnt take her out in public spaces. She also never goes away for more than a day, almost never overnight and certainly not since she's had the dog. I think she is terrified, she is cowering looking scared all the time.

My mum coming back isn't a option unfortunately but I am worried about the state the poor dog is in.

I thought vets for fluids tomorrow if no improvement? I'll have to take her in and expect to be biten in the process. She's luckily a small dog. My mum thinks I'm overreacting from our communication so far so I expect to be ensuring the vet bills myself if it comes to that.

Where does she normally get walked then ?

If your mum genuinely can't come back ring the vet and explain the situation. Ask for their advice and what to look out for in terms of dehydration.

They may offer dioralyte for the water. Many dogs are encouraged by the taste. She'll probably start drinking soon. I would get about your own business, act casual. Leave her alone with food and water. Don't fuss her, just leave her be, let her come to you if she wants.

Maybe get an adaptil plug in to see if that helps

Can you get your mum on Skype or FaceTime? Talk to the dog?

Poor you op and poor dog. What Bellagoth said for this time. The less you fuss the better. Don't be anxious around her (even though you probably are) try and project calm and go about your business, just let her come to you. Get the vet to come to you if this doesn't work, especially if she doesn't drink. Vet may be able to give dog a relaxant as well.

And for the future, it would be a good idea for your mum to habituate the dog to her going away. Start slowly for a few hrs, then overnight, then a couple of days. That way the dog will get to know that she is coming back.

Have you tried just clipping a lead on and tugging gently? Less coaxing, more firm cajoling. Be a little more matter of fact and she might go along with it. If nothing else she needs to pee and poop and take in some water.

Just got back from taking her for a walk. She bit me as I clipped her lead on but once she was out she relaxed a lot and enjoyed the walk. Hopefully she has a drink at least later. I've left her for a bit but have marked the bowl to see if the level changes.

Oh and she weed on the walk but not pooped.

Take her out tomorrow and find a muddy puddle , she's bound to drink that .

Poor dog.

Try feeding her some high level treats, so some bits of cheese and ham. Put them in the floor just in front of her and leave the room, see if she is tempted. Maybe wear some gardening gloves when putting her lead on so she can't nip you.

When mupdog won't drink I find putting a tiny bit of milk in her water helps, she loves that for some reason. I always make sure she sees me do it though to get her interested! Good luck OP

I knew a dog which got accidentally locked in somewhere for two days and didn't wee at all. My own dog almost never drinks but he's not fed on dry food. Don't risk getting bitten, this dog will drink and wee before she gets severely ill.

My dog when I was younger was like this the first time my parents went away. We abandoned dog food and just left her food she loves (she mainly ate egg and tuna for 5 days). She was fine once my parents came back. Is she a rescue dog?

I would just persist with the walks and leave her alone otherwise. A knackered dog is a good thing. Try to engage her while she is out, play with her and try to get her to take treats. Toss them in the air to see if she instinctively tries to catch them. If she doesn't don't worry too much. Use gloves to put the lead on if you think she might bite. Is this fear biting or is she known for nipping?

She will eat eventually, don't worry and don't fuss too much. You don't want her holding out for treats when she finally relaxes. Just put the food down and leave her to it.

She's not a rescue no, she's a puppy farm dog although my mum didn't know it at the time. I have been wearing thick gloves to protect from the biting, she's never bitten before that I'm aware of. She's normally nervous and can be pretty yappy and growly but never a bite, I think it's fear related.

Do you have anything of your mum's, like a jumper or cardigan, that you can give so she has a comforting scent?
She will eat once she's hungry enough, so just make sure the food is fresh and leave her to have that - avoid giving treats as she's less likely to then go for the more nutricious food.
For the water, as above just make sure it's available and fresh but keep an eye on her. Dry nose/sunken eyes/warm to touch are all signs she's dehydrated and needs to see a vet

Update to say my sister has taken the dog to stay with her where she is much happier as she now has constant company. Mum is home later today. Has been a worry with her and now we now how badly she reacts to being left I don't think mum will be going away again anytime soon.

Thanks for update pp and glad to know dog ok. Your mum could habituate the dog to her going away but it needs to be done gradually over a long period of time.