Suddenly Neurotic/Depressed

calicocalgirl · 09-04-2008, 09:26 AM

Lately I have been stressed with working on getting started on this darn divorce and several other things going on. I am depressed , moody and down in the dumps and things really hit me hard this weekend.
About the same time Emmie has gotten really odd behavior for her.
She used to be good about clipping her nails but a few months ago she wouldnt let me touch them after I came back from a trip. Here she had chewed them herself and split a few and I think they were tender. Now every so often she goes crazy chewing her toenails. This weekend she chewed them and neurotically licked her feet and legs for 2 days. Then the day after that, the neighbors were shooting. She never cares, Callie is the gun shy one. Callie hardly noticed, Emmie went ballistic. Started running wildly around the house and shaking. She did it the last few days and she is acting very depressed, more often than her usualy wild self.
I am wondering if she is feeding off my depression or what is going on with her.

**gbarmranch** · 09-04-2008, 09:34 AM

Sounds to me like she is... you may need to spend a bit more time with her, in a calm manner, to help get her back on track..

(((((((((((HUGS))))))))) for all of you..

roberts617 · 09-04-2008, 09:40 AM

Yep, sounds like she is. My Corgi and big boxer dog will do that. If I'm the least bit stressed they completely feed off of it. My Corgi will quit eating and stress with me. AJ just worries, and does bad things for attention. I have to take them out and we have a Just for the dogs day. She loves you.

Stormy's Human · 09-04-2008, 09:40 AM

I would say she is. You know how horses can pick up on your moods, fear, anixiety, etc. and I'm sure the same is true of dogs. Also it could be the summer and the heat doing it - my dobie has been chewing on her feet and nails and licking until she has heat spots on her skin. I have a spray that has steriods in it that I spray on the spots and it heals them really quick - maybe spraying something on her feet? Sorry to hear you are under so much stress - it is not good for your health - but - I know - how do you stop it? It's like fear - you can't just will it away. Hope things look brighter for you soon - there's always a rainbow at the end of the rain - look forward to that.

EquineLaw78 · 09-04-2008, 10:02 AM

When I broke things off with my ex-boyfriend, we had two dogs. One of them didn't take the separation well and acted out with aggression as well as neurotic licking.

After we completely went our separate ways, she calmed back down.

ahlihaff · 09-04-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbarmranch

Sounds to me like she is... you may need to spend a bit more time with her, in a calm manner, to help get her back on track..

(((((((((((HUGS))))))))) for all of you..

I agree. Animals are perceptive, and she may be feeding off your feelings.

Kelpie · 09-08-2008, 01:17 PM

yup! try a few more walks. My Chessie gets really nervous every time my husband is away.... or even if my son spends the night at someone elses house. When he is nervous, the dog will start licking his feet, being clingy, underfoot, and panting. I find that if I just take him out for an extra walk or to the river for a swim, it helps. I however have to make an effort to not baby him, too much cuddles and baby talk just makes him more nervous!

Dogs are sooo empethetic and they love routine it must be tough for you both. Sorry

BabyMay · 09-08-2008, 02:19 PM

It sounds like she may have some allergies. My yellow lab will lick her feet and legs when her allergies are bothering her. I give her a Benydrl (sp) and she is fine for the day. That may be what is going on with your girl. You may want to have her checked by the Vet. All that licking could cause an infection.

calicocalgirl · 09-08-2008, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyMay

It sounds like she may have some allergies. My yellow lab will lick her feet and legs when her allergies are bothering her. I give her a Benydrl (sp) and she is fine for the day. That may be what is going on with your girl. You may want to have her checked by the Vet. All that licking could cause an infection.

She is on Benadryl.
I spent a good bit of extra time with her this weekend. she is alittle better.

Callie peed on the carpet twice and wont let Emmie in the house in the mornings now.
I think it is all stress related.

sepder · 09-11-2008, 02:28 PM

Check out the show,"The Dog Whisperer" with Caesar Milan.Guy is amazing.
Dogs are pack animals,just as horses are herd.They need to know their place in the pack.

horselady · 09-11-2008, 02:54 PM

I think that the dogs are feeling upset with the change in their lives.
More attention and more walks if possible.
Hope they will get back to their ol' selves soon.

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09-04-2008, 09:26 AM
calicocalgirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Belleville, Pa Posts: 3,052	Suddenly Neurotic/Depressed Lately I have been stressed with working on getting started on this darn divorce and several other things going on. I am depressed , moody and down in the dumps and things really hit me hard this weekend. About the same time Emmie has gotten really odd behavior for her. She used to be good about clipping her nails but a few months ago she wouldnt let me touch them after I came back from a trip. Here she had chewed them herself and split a few and I think they were tender. Now every so often she goes crazy chewing her toenails. This weekend she chewed them and neurotically licked her feet and legs for 2 days. Then the day after that, the neighbors were shooting. She never cares, Callie is the gun shy one. Callie hardly noticed, Emmie went ballistic. Started running wildly around the house and shaking. She did it the last few days and she is acting very depressed, more often than her usualy wild self. I am wondering if she is feeding off my depression or what is going on with her.

09-04-2008, 09:34 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,229	Sounds to me like she is... you may need to spend a bit more time with her, in a calm manner, to help get her back on track.. (((((((((((HUGS))))))))) for all of you.. __________________ Quality FoundationQuarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Minds are like parachutes – they only function when open – Thomas Dewar

09-04-2008, 09:40 AM
roberts617 Seasoned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Oklahoma Posts: 4,868	Yep, sounds like she is. My Corgi and big boxer dog will do that. If I'm the least bit stressed they completely feed off of it. My Corgi will quit eating and stress with me. AJ just worries, and does bad things for attention. I have to take them out and we have a Just for the dogs day. She loves you. __________________ Never be too quick to criticize yourself. It's not fair to all the people who are dying to do it for you!! Last edited by roberts617 : 09-04-2008 at 09:42 AM.

09-04-2008, 09:40 AM
Stormy's Human Long Yearling Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Seville, Florida Posts: 1,230	I would say she is. You know how horses can pick up on your moods, fear, anixiety, etc. and I'm sure the same is true of dogs. Also it could be the summer and the heat doing it - my dobie has been chewing on her feet and nails and licking until she has heat spots on her skin. I have a spray that has steriods in it that I spray on the spots and it heals them really quick - maybe spraying something on her feet? Sorry to hear you are under so much stress - it is not good for your health - but - I know - how do you stop it? It's like fear - you can't just will it away. Hope things look brighter for you soon - there's always a rainbow at the end of the rain - look forward to that.

09-04-2008, 10:02 AM
EquineLaw78 Yearling Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 948	When I broke things off with my ex-boyfriend, we had two dogs. One of them didn't take the separation well and acted out with aggression as well as neurotic licking. After we completely went our separate ways, she calmed back down.

09-08-2008, 01:17 PM
Kelpie Newborn Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vermont Posts: 47	yup! try a few more walks. My Chessie gets really nervous every time my husband is away.... or even if my son spends the night at someone elses house. When he is nervous, the dog will start licking his feet, being clingy, underfoot, and panting. I find that if I just take him out for an extra walk or to the river for a swim, it helps. I however have to make an effort to not baby him, too much cuddles and baby talk just makes him more nervous! Dogs are sooo empethetic and they love routine it must be tough for you both. Sorry

09-08-2008, 02:19 PM
BabyMay Coming two Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,890	It sounds like she may have some allergies. My yellow lab will lick her feet and legs when her allergies are bothering her. I give her a Benydrl (sp) and she is fine for the day. That may be what is going on with your girl. You may want to have her checked by the Vet. All that licking could cause an infection. __________________ Animals don't need a reason to love.

09-11-2008, 02:28 PM
sepder Newborn Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eastern Pa. Posts: 47	Check out the show,"The Dog Whisperer" with Caesar Milan.Guy is amazing. Dogs are pack animals,just as horses are herd.They need to know their place in the pack. Last edited by sepder : 09-11-2008 at 02:34 PM.

09-11-2008, 02:54 PM
horselady Greenbroke Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: albany new york Posts: 3,303	I think that the dogs are feeling upset with the change in their lives. More attention and more walks if possible. Hope they will get back to their ol' selves soon. __________________ www.rainbow-horse-retirement.com We love and take care of your companion for the remainder of his lifetime