Dog distress - Seeking ideas

[sasha_feather]

Sorcha is still whining incessantly. I see from my journal that this has been going on for more than a month -- probably more like six weeks. I'm taking her back to the vet on Wednesday to get her thyroid levels checked.

Other things we've tried:
I moved my bed so she can see me better from my crate.
I turned a night light on overnight.
Sitting with her on the couch to watch TV and movies. Three feet away in my chair isn't close enough-- I have to be like, touching and petting her to stop her whining. And I can't type with her on the couch because she paws at the screen and keyboard.
Distracting with treats.
A thundershirt. (Had to take a break from the shirt today because I may have left it on too long yesterday.)

The worst is when I try to lie down for a nap and she won't let me sleep.

I posted on the Greyhound bulletin board-- run by the rescue group-- asking for advice. So far, no help.

She does not seem to be in pain, not that I can tell. She still runs hard at the park, some days, and still hops in and out of the car, walks fine, etc. It seems more like anxiety, but that strange thing it how it started relatively recently.

Any ideas??

Comments

[eruthros]

That sounds really stressful! I'm with dogstar - it sounds like extreme anxiety? Maybe separation anxiety? Which can come on suddenly especially if it's prompted by a triggering noise/experience, especially if Sorcha has some prior anxiety experiences (or PTSD). I have known dogs who were on doggie prozac as a first step, and it was very helpful for them both because it made the dogs calmer/less afraid and because it helped their humans to be less stressed or fearful as well, so they stopped reinforcing each other's feelings. And if Sorcha were calmer, it might be easier to work with her in terms of behavioral solutions to anxiety? When you see the vet, if the vet doesn't find any pain or physical health issues that could be stressing her out, you could ask about anti-anxiety meds for dogs? Most are generic and not very expensive iirc.

It is so tough to have a dog who is freaked out, I'm so sorry you're dealing with that for weeks on end :(