poodle who shakes herself

[laurie_willberg]

Can anyone suggest a rubric that would apply to a dog who seemingly shakes off one mind state in order to enter another: ie. will jump at the window and bark wildly when a squirrel is sighted, or a dog with owner passes by, and at the end of the episode shakes herself as if throwing off water? Perhaps she is playing, then shakes herself when she's had enough play and decides to lie down and rest...
I don't seem to be able to find a rubric that fits (most have to do with "shivering" not shaking).
This is the most striking and unusual symptom.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Rochelle]

Sounds like a very healthy response. Is there anything wrong with the poodle?

Rochelle

--- In minutus@yahoogroups.com, "laurie_willberg" wrote:

[laurie_willberg]

The window jumping and furious couch scratching when she's frustrated are signs of vaccinosis/chronic disease -- common but not "normal". Bell. would be a strongly indicated choice, however it turns out to not be the correct remedy.
Laurie
--- In minutus@yahoogroups.com, "Rochelle" wrote:

[Magda]

Laurie,

You may want to look at Stramonium.

Magda Aguila
Aquiline LLC
Animal Nutrition and
Homeopathic Consultations
www.aquilinedanes.com

[Shannon Nelson]

Hi Laurie,

Could it be as simple as "resolute" or "enthusiasm"? To me if sounds (and of course might seem different if I were *seeing*) analogous to a person who changes focus briskly and decisively; would not be apt to *shake* him/herself (people don't tend to, while dogs do), but might express similar energy by e.g. deep breath, brisk movements, or etc.?

Shannon

[lucky4paws]

Hi,

This 'shaking off' is a calming signal. It's kind off the dog shakes off the stress or nervous energy around it.

http://www.neholistic.com/articles/0099.htm
5. Shaking off - Not to be confused with shaking off water after a rainstorm or bath, this calming signal is used quite often with dogs. Here's an excellent example: an adult dog that is not normally aggressive is playing with a young puppy that becomes a bit too rambunctious. As a result, the adult dog ends up getting accidentally bitten in the ear by the puppy. The adult dog, in turn, puts a big paw on the puppy, `pins' him to the ground, `makes eye contact' with him and `stares him down.' The puppy sees these signals and stops the behavior. The adult dog then releases the puppy, backs up just a bit and `shakes off.' By exhibiting this physical behavior, the adult dog is `diffusing' or `shaking off' the nervous energy around him as if to say `I'm sorry I did that to you, but don't bite me again!' Hopefully, the puppy will get the message and will be more respectful of the adult in the future.

Here's another link that explains the different calming signals that dogs use: http://www.wagntrain.com/BodyLanguage2.htm

Hope this helps.

Nienke
--- In minutus@yahoogroups.com, Shannon & Bob Nelson wrote:

[Shannon Nelson]

If that behavior weren't there at all, what rubrics might you be looking at?
I'm not getting why it's an unusual behavior; maybe the issue is that the dog *needs* self-calming (high strung?); but poodles are energetic dogs, and they do tend to run a bit high-strung, don't they? (I'm not a poodle expert, but that's been my impression.)

I guess that's my only thought about it...

Shannon

[lucky4paws]

Oohhh, difficult question for a newbie. But I will try.

I think I would not look at the shaking-off, as that is normal dog behavior but I would look at the *excessive* barking behavior of the poodle; why the poodle would bark wildly at a squirrel or a passerby with dog, that is, her emotional state that causes this behavior.

Maybe the dog is angry or anxious as she can't get to the source, and after the shaking she feels good (as she barked the passerby or the squirrel away or, at least, that's how she can perceive it) and then goes to rest?

Or maybe the reason the poodle barks at the squirrel (hunting instinct) is different from her barking at the passerby (fear for the unknown)?

I would only take the barking behavior into account when it is excessive, out of the normal.

I'm not sure if I'm thinking in the right direction, and also do not know (yet) how to rep that.

Any input from others would be highly interesting, though. )

Nienke
--- In minutus@yahoogroups.com, Shannon & Bob Nelson wrote:

[Shannon Nelson]

Okay, that makes sense! Definitely don't try to rep something that is normal; only rep things which are *signs of imbalance*--too much, too little, too odd...

Are you looking to treat something particular in the dog?

Shannon