Really weird behaviour but vet says she's fine

[poorfanjo]

Context;

Dog is nearly 3, found her abandoned on our property as a puppy, not microchipped no tag, vet suggested she was 6 weeks old and had a broken jaw. We got her all fixed up and she's been a cracking member of the family ever since!

She always has liked to hide, so she has a crate. But she's decided out of the blue to hide under the spare bed with all the Christmas decorations and crap. She does come out with some coaxing but now she's started taking a Teddy under there and sucking it's face whilst pawing at it the closest thing I can describe it to is when a cat is 'making biscuits' she'll do that whilst sucking on the Teddy under the spare bed.

She has been spayed and has had phantom pregnancies before but she's been spayed so that can't be a thing?!

Do I stop her from going in the spare room? Take the toys away? Leave her to come out on her own? She stays under there for hours.

I will add we were broken into a couple of weeks ago and she was home at the time and I found her under the spare bed after I thought she'd been stolen. And then the behaviour has escalated a bit since then.

It sounds like she is massively anxious and is comfort suckling. I'd pop an Adaptil collar on her and give her lemonbalm capsules to help with the anxiety. Don't stop her doing the thing that is giving her comfort, but reward her for staying out with you by giving her chew treats, or peanut butter/pate on a lickimat

Aww bless her! I'm not an expert at all but I'd guess it's a comfort thing - is she simulating suckling from when she was a pup?

Personally I would leave her to it - if she's had a traumatic experience she might need the comfort. Perhaps just make sure she has a loving, calm environment when she does come out and hopefully the behaviour will reduce over time.

(But yes, ignore me if an expert comes along and says differently, I have no idea what I'm talking about )

@TiredStressedFrustrated yes that's what it looks like. I don't mind her hiding it's just I don't want her not be able to break this behaviour.

I guess I don't want to encourage this behaviour if it's going to make things worse in the long run?

@CMOTDibbler thank you! Will have a look at the collars now!

It sounds like anxiety. Does the vet know what she went through and that you were broken into?

@warmfluffytowels yes the vet knows, she said physically she's fine and wouldn't recommend anti anxiety drugs because they don't work long term. I'm not a vet so took her at her word. Should I get a second opinion?

[quote poorfanjo]@warmfluffytowels yes the vet knows, she said physically she's fine and wouldn't recommend anti anxiety drugs because they don't work long term. I'm not a vet so took her at her word. Should I get a second opinion?[/quote]
Ahh okay.

I'm no expert but if you're not happy then there's absolutely no harm in getting a second opinion :)

I would have a bit of a clear out and remove anything that could harm her if she sucks or eats it, such as tinsel or baubles. I wouldn't try and coax her out when she's under the bed.

Can you get an extra crate for her and put that by the spare bed? She may chose to go in to that instead of under the bed, i.e. break the habit a bit but also allow her to feel safe.

Is her crate the correct size for her, i.e. not too big?

Personally I would not change anything. I would leave things under the bed (unless really dangerous).

I would not coax her out.

She has chosen this spot for her safe space and best to go with it for the time being.

Watch her carefully and see what prompts her to retreat under the bed, it may be the sound of something, a door squeaking inside, or a bang outside or something very subtle. It could be people moving around the house etc. It may just be her general mood at the moment.

Try to keep to a normal routine and let her partake if she wants to. Is she eating and happy to go out for walks?

If there are things she like doing, eg playing tuggy or going out for walks I would increase these when she is out from under the bed. I would be trying to increase the happy hormones to see if they can counter act the worried hormones to start with.

If nothing changes or things get worse I would not hesitate to contact a behaviourist. I agree with the vet that medication would not be my first port of call.

@PollyRoulson so when she's not under the bed she's grand, eating drinking playing ball. She loves playing with her ball. I think I'm going to get rid of all the potentially dangerous stuff under the bed, maybe put a little blanket under there. It's just when she runs upstairs she won't come out for a while. I think I do need to see what sets her off.

Her crate is a small one but I could get a smaller one as she really is tiny. Maybe it's too big.

Oh brilliant that she has times when she feels happier.

My guess (and it is a guess!) is there will be something that sets her off.
Something very subtle, I would guess a noise.

Maybe think how the burglars got in or moved around the house. Bless her and I am sorry for your break in .

Did the vets do a detailed check? - if it carries on I would also want a blood test as well as just a physical exam.

Aww poor thing. My dog has a variety of triggers that makes him anxious and I just let him be and reassure him.

As others have said get rid of anything dangerous under the bed but make it somewhere safe and cosy for her to go.