Sheltie Collie

Question
Hi we have a sheltie named Molli, she is about 14 months old now and and has been a wonderful dog for us. We bought her last summer from a kennel when she was around 3 months old. Approxiamtely 3 weeks ago or so she started to act funny. She seems to be afraid of everything, very timid and shy acting. She always liked to go outside but now is very reluctant to go out and even to the point where she doesn't want to and runs into a nearby corner or just lays down and wags her tail. Another condition that came up aound the same time is that her right leg seems to go limp. She doesn't seem to be in any pain when it happens but it does affect her ability to stand and walk. This is happening more and more frequently it seems each day. We have had into the vet for blood tests for heart worm and other various tests they did but they all came back negative and they said that she seemed ok and wanted us  to keep monitoring her. We are schedlued to have x-rays on her leg taken soon but her behavior has us also very concerned. She has always been very playful but now seems withdrawn. She is not mean or anxoux at all she still is very loving but as I said previously she seems to always be scared. Do you think these 2 conditions are linked together? She is very well loved here, we spoil her and take very good care of her, we are always with her when she goes out, we do not let her run loose. We live in the country about 2 miles outside of town. Our neighbors have dogs also but they don't run loose. We thought that maybe something outside has scared her but we can't figure out what because one of us would have been with her and would have seen or heard it if so. Can you offer any advice or maybe you may have some idea of what might be going on with this kind of behavior?

Thanks for your time,
Ken

Answer
Ken -
I wouldn't even be able to guess if the 2 are linked?  While you gave me a great explanation one of the difficult things about this by e-mail is that I can't always really know what is going on.  Normally, with a complicated issue like this I spend about an hour on the phone followed by a house call!  Since you are out with her, I do find it odd that something made her afraid but wasn't noticed by you so maybe something else is going on.  It is great that you have been to a vet too as this would be something I would need you to do, but that hasn't helped.  E-mail me (Ailigh@animalia.us) and we can discuss a consult via video if you don't live near me or I can direct you to a behavior consultant in your area.