Hi
thought I would start a new update thread as the last one got a bit sidetracked. I have been away for a few days and mabel went to her lovely holiday home where there are few visitors and one other dog a border terrier - well she has had a lovely lovely time and they have had no problems with her at all. She was pleased to see me but didnt stick to me like glue as when she has been to kennels. She played brilliantly with the border. Sadly no mention of them wanting to keep her on a permanent basis.

The vet rang with the test results and her thyroid was normal, the cushings test was elevated on the second part of the test but only minimally so the vet spoke with the lab to check exactly what implications this could have especially in the light that Mabel has no clinical signs of cushings. The conclusion was that it was probably raised because she was stressed with the whole thing and no medication should be started as this might cause more problems. The lab technician certainly didn't think the raised result would be making Mabel have the behavioural problems that she has esp for the amount if years.

So we continue on selgian and see what happens with a bit more effort of getting all dogs to sit when anyone enters the kitchen.

Thank you for giving us all an update.  I can only wish you all the luck in the world.

Lorripop,

I also want to thank you for the update.

It all does seem to point to a behavioural issue. I would only add again that some dogs, like people, are born highly strung  or whatever you want to call it. Their systems are simply geared to react to stimuli much more easily. It is possible that this has been compounded by her early years, when as you say, she perhaps did not get as much socialization as she needed. I stress the 'she needed' as these kind of dogs probably need much more concerted socialization than more laid back litter mates.

It does sound as though the various behaviours have become 'learned' and are triggered very easily. With the help of the Selgian you somehow need to re-train her nervous system around the various stimuli that set her off and, at the risk of getting my head cut off, I still think a good behaviourist is the way forward.

It is a shame that the elderly couple won't have her. The only other thought is to go back to her breeder, carefully explain the situation and simply ask if there is someone that lives in a deserted area who has the knowledge and desire to take her on. A longshot but worth a try. 

> The only other thought is to go back to her breeder, carefully explain the situation and simply ask if there is someone that lives in a deserted area who has the knowledge and desire to take her on.

The problem there is Lorripop bred Mabel, the same situation I'm in with Hattie, which makes it doubly hard to go down the re-homing route, and I'm really not sure at the end of the day, I'd want to re-home an "unstable" dog. I'd never forgive myself if Hattie did something awful in the "new" home.

The problem there is Lorripop bred Mabel, the same situation I'm in with Hattie, which makes it doubly hard to go down the re-homing route, and I'm really not sure at the end of the day, I'd want to re-home an "unstable" dog. I'd never forgive myself if Hattie did something awful in the "new" home.
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I couldn't remember if she had or not. I do remember that she bred from her.

My initial reaction was the same as yours, but the particular apparent needs of this dog mean that if  a rare 'someone' could be found- that is very quiet home, full understanding of case history, knowledge/experience of breed etc.. it might be worth a go. This dog has had some successful stays with an elderly couple who have a quiet home and one other dog. The couple are experienced in the breed and this dog's behaviour appears to abate when staying with the couple.

That said, I understand and agree with the point you make.

What food is this dog fed???? Surely thats the first place to start? We in rescue are constantly seeing behavioural issues and food is the first thing looked at and it usually rectifies the situation. There could very well be something in the diet she is receiving that could be causing or increasing the behavioural problems.

She is raw fed.