Why is my dog acting weird?

Question

I have a 3yr old little chalky called Poppy. 6mth ago we moved house & up until now Poppy has been happy. Not chewed anything & was quiet as a mouse at night. Her bed is in the kitchen. But the past few days she has started barking in the night. Has been off her food & she has started to chew her bed up. When she barks i go to see whats wrong,but theres nothing. I have slept on the sofa a couple of nights with her next to me in her own little sofa. She seems ok there. I have changed her food (She does eat it...eventually) but isnt mad on eating it all like usual. She will eat ham & other meats i offer her straight away. Her poo is normal. Shes always been clingy to me,That hasnt changed. I have noticed a lot lately that she doesnt want to go outside (I go outside often to have a cig as dont smoke indoors) But she cowers in her bed & wont budge. But she will come out if im going anywhere else in the house. Its just really strange behaviour & i cant understand. Please advice. Thanks guys

Answer 1

Could it be possible anything happened while moving? Maybe something got her shocked, so she fears going outside. I would suggest not forcing her but tl slowly get her out more like a dog park, or something just to relax her. It is a strange behavior, if taking her out, and changin her diet doesnt work. I would suggest seeing someone who knows a lot about animal behavior.

Answer 2

She is cross between a yorkie & chihuahua. Their called 'Chalky' for short. Lolz. When we moved we were told we werent allowed pets. So we had a family member look after her while we got round the landlord. Although that did make her nervous because she thought we had abandond her & the women she was with just screamed at her all the time & her other dog bullied her. So i got her back as soon as i could. But that was 6mth ago, The strange behaviour has only been the past few days. When we looked in the loft at this new house, Its carpeted & has a old fashioned tv at one end thats plugged in on a table. And a table & chair at the other end & baby toys scatterd around. Like a young child has been kept up there. I have pictures & everyone think its creepy & my kids get really scared if i go in the loft. The loft door jammed open & my kids were frightened to go upstairs. This may be a longshot but maybe Poppy can feel or see or hear something that we cant. ???

Answer 3

Sudden changes in behaviour should be met with a visit to the vet. Being uneasy on her own at night, being off her food, chewing (anxiety or pain-relief), and not wanting to move could all be signs that she is in pain. I'd want to get a full check-over just in case.

It could be that something outside has spooked her - an attempted break-in, a wild animal, etc. - so you will need to work on rebuilding her confidence.

It may pass in a few days, but I'd get her checked anyway and give her as much help as you can to gain her confidence back.

Answer 4

Ok what in the heck is a "chalky"

Sounds to me if there is something out there that is scaring her.

But continue taking her out and do not allow her to use inside as bathroom. It is very hard to say just what she has become afraid of.



Well I have heard them referred to as "Chorkies" but never a chalky.

Calling this mixture of mutts chalky make me think of something dusty and gritty and white, like the eraser from the chalk board in schools.

Pleas call these designer dogs what they are Chihuahua/Yorkshire terrier mixes.