What’s worried Albert Claude?
Over the past couple of years Albert Claude has lost his playful side. Or, perhaps more accurately, he’s a worrier, where before he didn’t seem so. A worried Albert is not a happy dog. He still plays, but not as often or freely. New things happening in his world, easily unsettle him. Or, if he’s in unfamiliar situations he cannot cope. It’s been hard to know what’s going on, and difficult to see my lovely once care-free dog so worried at times. I’ve felt a mixture of sadness, guilt, confusion and more.
I don’t want to hang everything on Renae’s death, but this behaviour definitely deepened in the months following it. Losing his playmate was an obvious consequence of her death. But it’s more than this. Grief affects us all differently. It is known that some dogs certainly experience psychological pain when bereaved (see this). Perhaps Albert’s changed behavious in those first months were down to him grieving. He is also highly sensitive to my mood and for a good few months I struggled badly with the grief.
I thought it would pass and our worried Albert would naturally return to his happy-go-lucky ways. That didn’t happen. His seriousness stayed. It was joined by other things: a phobia of the wind; a jumpiness when touched; a fear of vehicles; an avoidance of part of the garden where previously he’d happily played; an aversion to play with, or even be near a friendly, familiar dog when family stayed. There was an accumulation of worrisome things which got worse until, at the end of last summer, a busy one with visitors and changes in Albert’s routines, I knew that I needed to seek professional help.
It’s been a godsend. And I wish I had done it sooner. It helped me to understand that Albert’s issues were nothing to feel guilty about. That, whatever the cause, addressing the behaviour is far more important. In fact it’s all that matters to Albert. Uncovering the cause would only be guess work. And that yes, our bereavement may well be part, perhaps a big part of it. But, talking through everything, there were signs of some of Albert’s worries even when Renae was here. His origins are poor and probably another factor.
There are always going to be many things going on in a dog’s inner world, just as with us. Accepting this and concentrating on what will help is a far better use of time and energy. I was happy with this, happy to halt my overthinking brain. Happy to climb from the hole in which we found ourselves stuck.
Drawing up a plan of action followed the consultation, with as much support as I needed. One challenge with where, and how we live is a lack of access to many people. People in the house have been one of the things that have worried Albert. So setting up situations for ‘lessons’ hasn’t been easy. But, we’ve managed and I’ve got creative and over the past few months, Albert’s behaviour has changed. For the better. His nervousness is far less, at times it’s not present at all. His love of touch – it’s always been on his terms and he is a fidget – is back and there’s none of the leaping away if taken by surprise. At Christmas we had visitors, some stayed, others popped by, and these events all helped me see that the plan was working. He was getting better in himself.
For the past month we’ve had the Tsuki factor.
Initially Albert was confused by our little visitor and there were signs he might revert to his worried ways. But, with the plan firmly in place and a rock solid dedication on my part to following it, things have been going great. One tenet of the plan is getting Albert comfortable and confident in situations away from home. Weekly trips into town, just he and I, happen and are enjoyed.
With each walk around town his confidence has grown. We go when it’s quiet, but gradually I’ve built in small challenges and at busier times. The first trip with Tsuki was a delight, Albert hardly bothered at all with caring where we were, visibly enjoying himself, starting by cuddling up close to Tsuki in the car. This was because the (new) car is another thing that he developed worries about. But, seeing him seek comfort from confident Tsuki showed me all was going ok as I drove along.
Tsuki is a happy, playful dog and loves his toys plus all those which Albert has neglected for the past two years. Tug-of-wars with Renae were a regular past time, but try as I might to replicate, he has not been interested. But with Tsuki, last week, it happened. I could have cried with happiness at seeing Albert remember the joys of a squeaky tug-of-war across the slippery tiles.
There are still challenges but the positive changes in Albert are clear and obvious. And noted by a friend who is staying this week. The last time he saw him was a few months ago before the programme had taken effect. Albert is happier, less the grumpy, worried old man that he was a few months back our friend reported. This, confirmation from someone else, made my day on hearing it.
If there is one big lesson in all this for me, it is that I will never hesitate to seek good, professional help in future, should the need arise. Albert’s problems haven’t vanished, but, what I know is that they’re on their way out, I know how to help him and that perhaps this summer’s visitors might actually be something he welcomes like he used to alongside Renae.
With thanks to Si Wooler for all his help, advice and humour – it goes a long way when living with worried and fearful dogs – and for getting me and Albert Claude back on track together.
