Kaiju hasn’t been doing well in his scarediness department for the past few weeks. The routine walks that were slowly but surely getting better suddenly worsened. He had not trembled for a long time, but now he sits and shakes staring away from the direction we want to go.
We contacted our behaviorist, and she gave us a go on upping the dosage of his daily medication. So we’ll try that. We will also give him a complete break from routine walks during weekends. Instead, we’ll drive him to parks, just like we did this weekend.
He’s a happy camper at home. We had a guest last weekend whom Kaiju had never met before. He got used to the guest quite fast, and ended up pestering him for treats, like a normal dog.
We take comfort in the fact that he is comfortable and happy where he spends most of his time.
I just found your blog, and your experience sounds so much like ours with our shiba, Moneypenny (minus the early leg injuries, which were heartbreaking to read about!). We also live in an urban environment, and she has always been timid and fearful of city noises, but relaxed and confident in the house and at the dog park. We knew her real personality was the confident, spunky one, and it was hard to see her so scared every time we took her out to walk or even just pee. She freezing, the shakes… we know all about it! We have recently had success with a medication recommended by our vet. Coincidentally, at the same time that she was improving with the medication, we went on a 2-week vacation and left Moneypenny with a dog-sitter. That time in the quiet suburbs with 4-6 other dogs to play with turned out to be really good for her. It’s comforting to know that we are not the only ones who are trying our best with a scaredy-cat shiba!
Hi! That’s, yes, really comforting to be in touch with other owners of fearful shibas. We also find that he’s so much better after taking a break (fun break) from the routine, even if it’s temporary. Please let us know how it’s going and stay in touch!!
Hi Kaiju – I happen to know another Shiba, who’s name I won’t mention, who trembles in his hudad’s car. Non-stop. Same car, for three years now and still trembles. And this same Shiba trembles when I first take him to my work place (which is admittedly a bit scary). This same Shiba would like the world to think he is an uber-badass and fierce beyond belief. So I suspect you are going to be fine…and maybe, just maybe working your humans just a bit (why walk when you can get them to drive you???).
Good luck with the increased meds and hugs to you!
this was really encouraging to hear. i mean, geez. even the-shiba-whose-name-we-cannot-mention has moments like that. thank you zuko’s mom for sharing this!
Awwww, Kaiju. I’m so sorry. I hope the extra medicine helps and that you have a really great weekend coming up. You are so lucky to have such wonderful human parents who love you so much and give you a great home and keep you safe and happy there.
+1
Kaiju! You’re so fierce, I bet you’re just pretending to get those drugs. 😉
I keed. I hope that the meds help and that you’ll be back on your way to becoming the brave dog that we all know you are!
let us know if you feel better, kaiju! we’re hoping you do.
Awwww, Kaiju. I’m so sorry. I hope the extra medicine helps and that you have a really great weekend coming up. You are so lucky to have such wonderful human parents who love you so much and give you a great home and keep you safe and happy there.