| Bisky in VT |
3. Night Terrors. This has also seen lots of
improvement with the Prozac, but he used to wake
up suddenly snapping at the dog next to him. He
never hurt them and the other dogs never took it
personally. The other dogs looked as confused as the
rest of us. Fortunately, I haven’t seen him do this in
more than 2 weeks. So we are making progress.
So with all that said, maybe he does not seem like a
very lovable dog, but he really is a totally lovable dog
who needs some special care. He really wants to be
“owned,” in the best sense, by a person. He is not a
dog that needs a huge amount of exercise. He has
great setter energy, but companionship is much
higher on his list of desires than a big yard. He still
loves to play and wouldn’t mind an energetic
playmate. We think he does better with female dogs
than with males.
improvement with the Prozac, but he used to wake
up suddenly snapping at the dog next to him. He
never hurt them and the other dogs never took it
personally. The other dogs looked as confused as the
rest of us. Fortunately, I haven’t seen him do this in
more than 2 weeks. So we are making progress.
So with all that said, maybe he does not seem like a
very lovable dog, but he really is a totally lovable dog
who needs some special care. He really wants to be
“owned,” in the best sense, by a person. He is not a
dog that needs a huge amount of exercise. He has
great setter energy, but companionship is much
higher on his list of desires than a big yard. He still
loves to play and wouldn’t mind an energetic
playmate. We think he does better with female dogs
than with males.
(Also known as “The Biskit” “Bisky Boy” “Frisky Bisky”)
Bisky is a very good boy. He wants to please and looks
adoringly at his human every moment that he can. He
is fully house trained, does not chew, walks well on
leash, and generally has very good house manners. I
took about 10 minutes to train him to our invisible fence
system, which may have been 5 more than he needed.
Either he is a genius or has some familiarity with either
an invisible fence or something similar. He is an active
middle-aged dog at about 7 years old. He gets along
great with our 2 female dogs, including our alpha female
and loves to play with them. Sounds perfect, ehh?
Well of course no one is perfect. Bisky suffers from
anxiety, which manifests itself in a variety of ways. He is
currently on Prozac, and, as we approach week 4, I can
say I am seeing some real improvement. Prozac is not a
long-term solution, but combined with behavior
modification it could resolve his issues. Once he learns
new behaviors, he can go off the Prozac and the
behavior should not return (ideally).
So what exactly are the issues?
Bisky is a very good boy. He wants to please and looks
adoringly at his human every moment that he can. He
is fully house trained, does not chew, walks well on
leash, and generally has very good house manners. I
took about 10 minutes to train him to our invisible fence
system, which may have been 5 more than he needed.
Either he is a genius or has some familiarity with either
an invisible fence or something similar. He is an active
middle-aged dog at about 7 years old. He gets along
great with our 2 female dogs, including our alpha female
and loves to play with them. Sounds perfect, ehh?
Well of course no one is perfect. Bisky suffers from
anxiety, which manifests itself in a variety of ways. He is
currently on Prozac, and, as we approach week 4, I can
say I am seeing some real improvement. Prozac is not a
long-term solution, but combined with behavior
modification it could resolve his issues. Once he learns
new behaviors, he can go off the Prozac and the
behavior should not return (ideally).
So what exactly are the issues?
1. Separation Anxiety. We actually completely cured
the separation anxiety before starting the Prozac, but
it is likely to be an issue that will need to be worked
through in a new home. It is a non-existent issue
right now, but because of the tendency he would do
better in a home with other pets (a previous foster
said he slept with the cat) and a high level of human
contact.
2. Touch Anxiety. I just made that term up, but that
is what he has. He wants to be pet, but then he’s not
sure it’s going to feel good and has second
thoughts. He wants his belly rubbed, but when you
rub his belly he looks uncomfortable. This is where
the Prozac seems to really be making a difference. He
has always liked having his head rubbed, but as you
go down his back he becomes increasingly
uncomfortable. The vet does not believe he has any
pain. I will video tape this so you can see. He is a
Velcro dog with a twist – you don’t have to pet him
constantly.
the separation anxiety before starting the Prozac, but
it is likely to be an issue that will need to be worked
through in a new home. It is a non-existent issue
right now, but because of the tendency he would do
better in a home with other pets (a previous foster
said he slept with the cat) and a high level of human
contact.
2. Touch Anxiety. I just made that term up, but that
is what he has. He wants to be pet, but then he’s not
sure it’s going to feel good and has second
thoughts. He wants his belly rubbed, but when you
rub his belly he looks uncomfortable. This is where
the Prozac seems to really be making a difference. He
has always liked having his head rubbed, but as you
go down his back he becomes increasingly
uncomfortable. The vet does not believe he has any
pain. I will video tape this so you can see. He is a
Velcro dog with a twist – you don’t have to pet him
constantly.
His ideal home would be with a person or
family who wouldn’t leave him home alone
for more than about four hours at a stretch,
and would have animal companionship when
his human was away. He has been living
with an 8 year old and young friends who
come to play, but because of the “touch
anxiety” would probably do best in a home
without small children. A home close to his
Burlington, Vermont foster home would be
best, because while he loves riding in the car,
he tends to get attached to each person
along the way and then has to separate from
them on the multi-leg transport. You can
see the problem. He’s an incurable lover.
family who wouldn’t leave him home alone
for more than about four hours at a stretch,
and would have animal companionship when
his human was away. He has been living
with an 8 year old and young friends who
come to play, but because of the “touch
anxiety” would probably do best in a home
without small children. A home close to his
Burlington, Vermont foster home would be
best, because while he loves riding in the car,
he tends to get attached to each person
along the way and then has to separate from
them on the multi-leg transport. You can
see the problem. He’s an incurable lover.
Here is a You Tube link to a video of Bisky
playing with my alpha female Lulu the mutt:
Bisky and Lulu video
In the last picture, Bisky is the guy in the middle
on top of Lulu and Evie. I think you can see
why he needs a home. It’s a two-dog couch
and they all know it. By the way, this is the
“dog couch” and they are not allowed on other
furniture.
playing with my alpha female Lulu the mutt:
Bisky and Lulu video
In the last picture, Bisky is the guy in the middle
on top of Lulu and Evie. I think you can see
why he needs a home. It’s a two-dog couch
and they all know it. By the way, this is the
“dog couch” and they are not allowed on other
furniture.
