sudden unexplained fear

Question
My 5 yr old female mini schnauzer has been developing sudden, unwarranted fear.  At first, it was to the UPS truck.  Then, fear of children from the very young thru teeanagers.  Now she has become afraid of the tile floors in my home.  Help!  I want my no holds barred schauzer back!

Answer
Hi Peggy,

Thank you for writing to me about your mini schnauzer's sudden fears.  I apologize for the delay and thank you for your patience.

The first approach to any sudden problem would be medical.  Please consider having a full blood panel run, paying special attention to the thyroid results as well as lyme disease.  Once the medical is out of the way then attention to the emotional would follow.

Dogs are creatures of habit.  They don't react well to change.  Depending on the personality of the particular dog, even something as insignificant as moving a piece of furniture around can set a dog off into a new behavior.  

Please consider any recent changes in your dogs life..from a move to issues in human relationships, a new baby, the loss of a family member, etc.  

Since this is a general fear that seems to be expanding, I wouldn't suggest desensitization but what I would suggest would be calming herbs and increased exercise.  Anything that reduces tension and anxiety would be helpful and exercise is known to do that.  

You can also get something called DAP which is a hormone that the mother gives off to her pups.  You can buy a gadget that will spray this hormone which can have a calming effect on a dog.

As a last resort, but to be seriously considered would be doggie xanax.

I wish you the best of luck,

Shelley Davis