My dog is acting strange and withdrawn after a fight. How to help?

Poor Brody! How scary for both of you. Dogs can certainly be anxious and upset for a while after a traumatic event like this, just like people. This should improve with time, but there are a few things you can try in the meantime that may help. If he seems nervous all the time, you can try using a DAP pheromone collar along with a natural calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure to help him relax - these products are all very safe, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription. On walks, he may be very nervous about other dogs approaching for quite a while - so I would make sure to give him plenty of space, and don't walk in areas where other dogs are likely to be until he seems more relaxed and comfortable again. You can also carry treats with you on your walks, and praise and reward him every time you see another dog - this can be a very effective way of helping with fear.

Anytime there is a sudden change in behavior, an exam with your veterinarian is recommended. Such a change can be due to trauma or infection. Considering the recent history, it is possible Kane may have suffered an injury which will need to be diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian. At the very least, he will get a clean bill of health and may simply be "shaken up" by recent events. If this is the case, he should gradually return to normal activity.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This sounds like it could be anxiety related, probably due to (or worsened by) the recent trip. Try separating them for a day or so, then taking them for a walk together. If it continues for more than a day or so, talk with your vet about anti-anxiety medications which can help tremendously with this sort of thing. Best wishes to you, Charlie, and Grey!

Hi there! I'm so sorry to hear about Cooper's troubles! I definitely don't blame him for being so traumatized. I would be too! In these situations, I always turn to local dog trainers for some help. They can work on helping Cooper get past his fears in a controlled setting. They can also help you work through him being so scared, and maybe even reintroduce him to other very friendly, laid back dogs. It is important to get professional help because as time goes on, Cooper will just become more agitated. Sometimes this can trigger dogs to fight, and he may wind up having another incident that makes all of this worse. If you visit your veterinarian, they may be able to recommend some natural supplements for Cooper, or even some anxiety medications for him as long as he goes and works with a trainer at the same time. This can be even more helpful in getting him acclimated to being a social dog again. I hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This sounds serious and warrants a veterinary evaluation as soon as possible. There is usually even more trauma than what you can appreciate in cases of dog fights. There may be cuts that need suturing, wounds that need antibiotics and the need for pain control medications as it sounds like he is very sore. I highly recommend that you have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to evaluate him to look at the extent of his injuries so therapy can be recommended accordingly. Good luck and have a good night!

It sounds like your pup may be suffering from some separation anxiety, perhaps brought on initially by the trauma of the attack. You can read more about this condition at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1502. A visit with your vet is best to be sure there aren't any other medical problems that need to be addressed. They can recommend some behavior modification to try. You may also try some over the counter calming aids including Adaptil collar http://www.adaptil.com/us/Adaptil/Adaptil-Collar or spray, and Zylkene supplement http://www.vetoquinolusa.com/content/zylkene.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! That could definitely be because of the attack. The main reason dog fights or dog attacks are so concerning especially when the other dog is a small dog is that there is usually more trauma inflicted than what you can see on the outside. For that reason, I highly recommend that you check in with a veterinarian who can examine her to look for other possible traumatic lesions that may need therapy. Best of luck!