This is a mental health question.

Lady_Noir · 08-26-2008, 05:46 PM

Hello everyone. I new to this forum. I am glad I found it because everyone here seems genuinely nice and helpful. I'm a pretty experienced dog owner, but I have a 5 year old female Boston Terrier who I believe might have mental illness. I have talked to my vet about it and she just tells me to train my dog not to kiss my lips, but I don't think this will solve the problem. I think it's deeper and it's getting worse. Rosie is a kissing addict, I guess you could say. My Pug will sometimes come give me one or two licks to the cheek and then be done with it. However, Rosie, my Boston, leaps up to my face in a frantic manner, sometimes hurting me, and trying to thrust her tongue down my throat. Yeah, it's GROSS! I can't even explain how frantic these kisses are. She suffocates me. For a 15lb dog, she goes at me with all her strength and it's almost impossible to pry her off. If I didn't pry her off, she would never stop. She has a lot of playful energy in her, but MOST of her time is spent sitting at me feet staring at me. Unless I am touching her, she is not happy. However, I can't even touch her without her lunging at my face to kiss me! I didn't baby her as a puppy so I have no idea where this is coming from. I'm thinking she might have depression because her normal face is with her ears flat against her head, which I do not think is normal for a Boston Terrier. She is also quite fearful and jumpy... imagine the Seinfeld character Kramer in dog form. I'm sorry this is going so long. I don't think she is happy. I really think she has problems and I don't know what I can do for her. I tried to train her that she only gets attention when she is not kissing me, but she doesn't get it. I tried to make her think that kissing me hurts me by letting out a yelp. She jumped back, barked at me, then lunged a few more times, albeit hesitantly, barking, trembling, and trying to restrain herself, but nothing is working. I work online, and all day, she sits by my feet staring sadly at me, sometimes putting her paws on my knees and licking her lips slowly. Do you think she needs to be put down? I don't think she is happy.

mylittlebecky · 08-26-2008, 06:01 PM

how old is she? what kind of exercise is she getting? has she had any bloodwork done recently? what sort of formal training have you been through? have you talked to a trainer/behaviorist?

Lady_Noir · 08-26-2008, 06:10 PM

She is 5 years old. This behavior is getting worse. She was not this way as a puppy. She plays independantly for about an hour every day, wrestling with toys. Four times a day she gets 15 minute runs outside to go potty and play. At night we take a walk, but it's hard because she clings to me. She hasn't had any bloodwork lately. According to the vet, she hasn't needed any. Is this a sign of a serious illness? You've got me thinking maybe I really should see another vet. I haven't seen a trainer either. Should I really consider this? Oddly enough I did see a pet psychic, but it was for charity. That's about all the outside help I have had with her.

cshellenberger · 08-26-2008, 06:18 PM

A Good positive reenforcement trainer is always a HUGE help! They will teach YOU to control your dog, If she's becoming more clingy, I'd get a second opinion on the blood work, it sounds like there is some anxiety involved in your dogs behavior and there are underlying medical issues that can cause it.

Suggested tests:

Thyroid sent to MSU (not the in house snap test) Look for low/normal or low thyroid.

FULL tick titer

Eyes checked for Glaucoma and cataracts

Heart checked for any underlying problems.

The truth is, your dog should have blood drawn periodically for health screenings just as you should. It's part of a truly comprehensive health check and can often catch problems early.

Lady_Noir · 08-26-2008, 06:31 PM

I had NO idea those could cause weird behavior in a dog. Thank you for enlightening me. First thing, for sure, I am going to do is see a different vet. I'm sure another vet would have let me know what you just did. Odd what you said about cararacts causing this behavior since my 7 year old Pug didn't change when she got hers.

Well I made a quick call to my vet to schedule an appointment for tomorrow for a blood test. The receptionist told me how to give a dog a mental health test by checking to see if they will walk on their hind legs. When I got off the phone, I tried it with Rosie and she just let her legs drag there. Then I woke up my old, grumpy, lazy, chubby Pug, and tried it... even she walked along and didn't let her feet drag. I am getting really scared now. Should I have checked sooner? Am I going to lose my little girl? I feel sick. I feel like I am a horrible dog mom.

cshellenberger · 08-26-2008, 08:32 PM

I've never heard of such a test. Please still find another vet, you need a second opinion. Also, be SURE the vet sends the Thyroid to MSU, the in office test is just NOT sensitive enough to catch low/normal thyroid.

Lady_Noir · 08-27-2008, 04:42 PM

Just a little update. Rosie went to the vet. Same vet office but I requested a different doctor. This vet was older and seemed more experienced. He did draw blood and he is sending it in for testing. He is concerned about how thin she is.

She has always been thin, as it says on her chart, and her sire was too the few times I met him, but he thinks she should have a larger figure. I'm worried about that. I talked to a behavior specialist right after the appointment and it seems the problem might be with me and not her. We have some socialization exercises to do to build up confidence. According to this doctor she is showing fearful submission. This should be a great bonding experience for us. I am even thinking of getting her some fly ball training because she is SO fast and really great at catching balls thrown at her. Thanks everyone for the heads up on the blood test!

Patt · 08-27-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cshellenberger

I've never heard of such a test. Please still find another vet, you need a second opinion.

Me either, that test is beyond ridiculous. I doubt seriously that she has a mental problem, you really need to work with her. What state are you in?

I'm happy to hear you saw another vet and a behaviorist. Boston's need more exercise than to be let out in the back yard. I think fly ball would be wonderful for her. This would be great for both of you.

Please keep us updated and let us know the results of the blood work.

Lady_Noir · 08-27-2008, 05:52 PM

Yeah, the test they told me to do was to hold them on just their hind legs to see if they would walk on them. I didn't think twice about doing it. In retrospect, it really was kind of amusing the looks they gave me. LoL I will definitely let everyone know how the blood test turns out. Fly ball is going to be a blast. Other than the blood test which we are waiting on, she was fine other than being a little thin (which they are also checking with the blood test) and she had some acne on her chin.