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Nervous of wind when windows and doors open

Ebony

Just within the last six months or so everytime we open our front door and windows Ebony starts to freak out. She will bark and pace back and forth and will then just go out into the back yard and stay there. There are times when she will stay out there and only come in to get some water. Once she sees the windows are still open she goes back out. Ebony is almost ten years old and we have always done this. Why would she just now start to act like this?

• Experienced Advisor Rosie Barclay says:

  March 23rd, 2009 at 10:18 AM

  Hi

  Has she had any bad experiences recently regarding doors and windows? Collies often generalise bad experiences to odd situations and she may have been frightened by a noise or similar and now believes that open doors and windows are the cause.

  She is also getting older and may be experiencing cognitive problems due to old age and you may have to visit your vet to have this checked out.

  Don’t make a big deal out of this in front of her and reward her well for coming in. If she feels that you are  anxious she might not understand that it is her behaviour that is the cause of your anxiety and just feel that not only does she feel bad in this situation but you do as well.

  When she is inside you can begin by opening windows very slowly a tiny bit at a time and gradually over days and weeks extend the amount and how open the windows are. At the same time play a fun game or give her a nice treat to help change her mind about windows and doors. Do not try and coax her in or make a big issue about it and tell her all is well by remaining clam and relaxed.

  If after a few weeks she is still having trouble arrange to seek help from your vet and they might be able to refer you to a qualified dog behaviourist.

   

  Hope this helps

   

  Rosie Barclay.

   

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• Tina says:

  March 25th, 2009 at 08:10 PM

  Thanks for the information. There have been times that the wind has blown the doors closed with loud noises. We did loose our other dog Skylar last October and that is really when it started. But it may just seem that way to me, I will do what you advise. We usually just let her go and lay out in the back yard and keep the sliding glass door open so when she is ready to come in she can. It is just funny that she will walk in, see the door and windows still open and turn around and go back out. I hope she gets through this soon. I don't like to see her upset and afraid.

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