Rescue dog health/behavioral issues

Question
Hello,
I am so glad I found this site - I have so many questions for you... My husband and I recently bought a Toy Fox Terrier named Rocky from a local small dog rescue. He's 4 1/2 years old and weighs about 6.5 pounds. When we first saw him at the rescue, he had such a bad coat, lots of dandruff, not a lot of hair on his paws from itching, his eyes were always wet and he sneezed and snorted a lot. The lady that had him said that he'd been at the SPCA and was 8 days away from being euthanized and so she had brought him to the rescue and had had him for a month or so. I asked her to explain his skin/allergy conditions and she said that he's allergic to corn and that he was on a different food to help him get better. We brought him home, I did a lot of research on dog food allergies and we changed his food again, bought a special allergy/medicated shampoo and I bathe him about 4 times a week and brush him out daily. His coat looks a lot better now, but he still has the weepy eyes and is always sneezing and still itches his paws. I called the vet and she said to give him some children's Benadryl or some sort of antihistamine. So..I give that to him two times a day and I also put a coat supplement on his food and give him a few green beans with his food in the morning to help with his coat. So...like I said - he looks a lot better but the allergies haven't gone away completely. This new food is called BLUE and it doesn't have a lot of products that he could be allergic to, so I'm hoping that after a few weeks of eating it, that corn or whatever he's allergic to will be out of his system.
As far as the behavioral problems go, we were told that Rocky was house-trained, and would go to the door if he needed to go out. We've had him for three weeks now and he has always gone to the door accept for last night - he went into the bathroom and pooped on the floor! We don't know what caused that but maybe thought that he did go to the door and we didn't see him right away. We did scold him for doing that though...
We are gone during the day for work, so we take him out in the morning and then again as soon as we get home. We block him off in the kitchen area which is a very good size and we put his crate in there, plenty of toys and some things to chew on - he won't go to the bathroom in there and he does eat and drink during the day while we aren't there. At night he likes to play a lot and we sometimes go for a walk. Recently, just within the last week or so...he doesn't want to be held or loved on at all like in the weeks prior. When we first brought him home he would put his paws up on the couch and I would pick him up and he'd lie on my chest for hour and hours - he loved to be loved on! Now...he can't stand to be held and doesn't ever want to be in the same room as we are. If we're cooking in the kitchen, he's in the living room - and at night, when we're in the living room, he loves to go behind the kitchen table in a corner and lay down or in the dark closet or in the bathroom. I don't understand this behavior and it makes my husband and me sad that he doesn't want to be with us - is he just a "free spirit" or is there something wrong? I think he hates me because I'm always the one that has to give him his medicine and give him a bath and brush him out - all things he DOESN'T like very much! Is he associating all the things he doesn't like to me? We love him so much and got him because we really wanted a good companion - now he just doesn't even want to be in the same room as we are! I hope you can help - sorry I have so many questions. Thanks and have a great day! - Natalie


Answer
Hi Natalie,

I'll just begin with the beginning of your letter, and try to go through the points which you'd like to have addressed, I hope I don't miss anything!

Blue is a fine food to feed a food allergic dog, are you sure that is Rocky's problem?

Keep in mind that it can take about 2 months for Rocky's coat and allergic symptoms to clear up, if it's only a food allergy.

The most common allergies that affect dogs is actually airborne allergens (pollens, molds,dust mites  and other minute airborne substances). Along with the itching, licking and scratching, nasal and/or eye discharge are common signs of airborne (also called inhalant) allergies.

Rocky may have more problems during the growing seasons, and in the fall. Sometimes, the best you can hope for is to control the allergy, since it may never go away.

Depending on your budget, you can have your vet run allergy tests on Rocky, to try to pin point the exact cause of Rocky's suffering.

I can't explain why Rocky suddenly had an accident in your home. Perhaps it's like you said, and you didn't see him asking to go outside. Accidents happen, and when they do you shouldn't yell at, or punish your dog. For one thing, he probably felt bad already for soiling in the house. Scolding a dog for having accidents can actually lead to bigger behavioral problems.

Please don't think for a moment that Rocky suddenly doesn't love you. I'm sure when you bathe and groom him, you're as gentle as possible, and probably end the grooming sessions with hugs and kisses. Like parenting a human child, sometimes there are things one must do, which the child (or dog) would rather you didn't, such as nail trimming, grooming, bathing etc. But they have to be done! It's part of being a good "parent", and your dog doesn't love you any less for doing it!

The change in Rocky's routine, of not sitting with you, or wanting to be held, etc. does not mean he hates you. Typically, it's worth going to the vet as soon as you notice a change in a dog's routine or personality, because very often the new, undesirable behavior is linked to a medical condition.

Resisting touch, for example can be a sign of joint pain. At 4 years, Rocky may be young to have arthritis, but Lyme disease is certainly a consideration for a young dog with joint pain. Perhaps, it's not that he doesn't want to join you in the living room at night, perhaps he's in pain and doesn't want to get up.

Has there been a change in your household routine? A sudden change in routine can cause an otherwise happy, well-behaved dog to display undesirable, even destructive behaviors.

Either Rocky is not feeling well, or a change in your household routine can explain his unexpected accident in your bathroom (at least it wasn't on carpeting, by the way!)

So, I would strongly urge you to have Rocky seen by the vet. Remind the doctor that Rocky is getting Benadryl for the itching, incase she needs to prescribe any medication, you'd want her to be aware for possible drug interactions.

I hope I've been a help. Best of luck,

Patti