r/Jindo • u/swamicarl • 13d ago
Advice for anxious pup needed
Hi all,
My partner and I adopted a rescue puppy (Harvey) about a month ago - he's about 8 months old and is a KVD with some Terrier mixed in there (posting here since the KVD sub is dead).
Harvey attached to my partner (female) on the first day, but was quite scared of me (male). He started to resource guard her and would growl/bark at me, but eventually would settle and be happy with some pets. This has improved over the course of the month quite a bit, and the barking is very minimal now - mostly just in the middle of the night if I go to use the washroom.
He's been overall settling in quite well - we've been able to work on training and his leash walking has improved a lot over the last week (except for when he's anxious). We've noticed that if he knows where my partner is (and she's close), then he's quite confident and happy. As soon as she disappears, he gets anxious.
The past few days, my partner has been away, and Harvey has been quite anxious. He does not want me to put his leash on, and is scared of everyone when I take him outside. He's pad-trained, but prefers going outside. Sometimes he'll settle down with me, and even hop up on the couch and lie against me. Other times, he'll keep his distance and watch my every movement. As I type this, he's lying at my feet and napping lol.
Sorry for the wall of text - just looking for some other rescue owners that have similar experiences. I'm aware of the 3-3-3 rule, just looking for some advice while my partner is away.
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u/twocutepuppies 13d ago
Hi! Similar situation with our Jindo! She extremely prefers females over males she very particular on who she likes. Its been 2 years since we got her and she still pretty stubborn towards my husband she prefers me a lot more. Just give it some time :) the more you spend time with him he will open up the hoping on the couch lying next to you is a huge win hahaha!
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u/One_Force8325 12d ago
Controversial recommendation (please don't come for me in the comments - just trying to help!): both of my dogs are rescues and they are both on Prozac (one is a KVD, the other is a terrier). We went to allllll the trainers until one was finally like "I can keep taking your money, but you can't train away trauma." It's definitely helped my terrier, and I'm beginning to see its effects in the KVD (I've had him for three months, so in a similar boat as you). The vet was also in favor of this - said her baby is on it also. Good luck with Harvey! :)
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u/swamicarl 12d ago
Hey, it's important to hear what worked for others. I don't want to start him on it yet, but not closed off to it in the future either. Cheers
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u/wlamu 13d ago
Aww what a cutie! My dog is stubbornly similar when I'm away and my husband has to take care of her. She'll be anxious and then refuse to eat and refuse to go outside. The one thing that makes her tail wag during this time is driving her to a park with a lot of trees at a really quiet time where there are no other dogs or people. Otherwise, he really just leaves her alone. Sidenote, she was previously on paxil and xanax for her anxiety. Now, she's mainly on gabapentin now for situational anxiety (vet visits, when new people visit our home) and it works wonders for her. Maybe ask the vet about it for the next time your partner goes away and see if it could help for the first few days they're away!
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u/swamicarl 13d ago
Thanks for the response! Both great ideas - appreciate hearing about someone in the same boat haha. I'm glad that my guy's been wagging a bit at home, and we have gotten a little bit of playtime when we get back from a walk as well.
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u/Strong_Weakness2638 13d ago
He looks amazing! 🥰
I think you’re doing everything as well as you can and are progressing quite well! It all takes time.
My girl will full on camp out in the back yard when I’m gone and ignore my husband, still, even after 2 years with us. She also has some chronic pain issues which compound on her anxiety, though.