we've had our rescue collie for nearly 5 years now.
he took a little while to settle (been really abused earlier in life and through a succession of weak owners, stray and C&D homes)
He eventually got the idea he was staying and has been brilliant since. very good on observing house rules i.e which rooms are off limits, not begging nor stealing, etc basically perfect indoors.
Outdoors not quite perfect .. not aggresive but doesnt make friends easily or quickly. understandable given what we know of his history I guess. (surprisingly keen on shooting tho, not at all gunshy!!)
Just recently he has started panic 'digging' in the night trying to escape the Kitchen where he has always stayed without any previous worries. letting him sleep in the living room (nearer our bedroom) has stopped the panic behaviour but he still starts awake every couple of hours in the night and needs to be stopped from 'nest scraping' into the carpet. a couple of words and a touch and he relaxes and off back to sleep...then repeat rinse every 2-3 horus till breakfast where he is back to absolute normal as per the last 5 years. just the night time change ...
I gather this is fairly common in older dogs and just wondered how you all deal with this
he took a little while to settle (been really abused earlier in life and through a succession of weak owners, stray and C&D homes)
He eventually got the idea he was staying and has been brilliant since. very good on observing house rules i.e which rooms are off limits, not begging nor stealing, etc basically perfect indoors.
Outdoors not quite perfect .. not aggresive but doesnt make friends easily or quickly. understandable given what we know of his history I guess. (surprisingly keen on shooting tho, not at all gunshy!!)
Just recently he has started panic 'digging' in the night trying to escape the Kitchen where he has always stayed without any previous worries. letting him sleep in the living room (nearer our bedroom) has stopped the panic behaviour but he still starts awake every couple of hours in the night and needs to be stopped from 'nest scraping' into the carpet. a couple of words and a touch and he relaxes and off back to sleep...then repeat rinse every 2-3 horus till breakfast where he is back to absolute normal as per the last 5 years. just the night time change ...
I gather this is fairly common in older dogs and just wondered how you all deal with this
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