Have any of you ever had, or known, a dog who seems spooked by a smell? On Wednesday on our usual afternoon walk, Tessa B suddenly let out one looooong howl then turned round and ran, barking like crazy, to a nearby drystone wall. She stood on her hind legs staring to the downwards fields, hair on end, wild look in her eyes. I hadn't heard any unusual noise and the fields were empty, the sheep out of sight. I put her on the lead, calmed her slightly and took her home. Indoors, she stared out of the window (facing the downwards fields again) carried on sniffing, barking, sniffing, barking.
She's booked in for spaying on Tuesday so, although I couldn't see any sign, in case she was having a phantom pregnancy and barking to protect 'the puppies', we took her to the vet. Definitely not a phantom pregnancy; the vet gave her a thorough check all over and said she's now in tip top condition. Vet couldn't shed any light on the spooked problem and suggested a DAP collar. We put it on her straight away. She's very slightly less spooked but not much and we sussed out when she sniffs it
seems to be towards where the ram is about to - or has just done - his duty. The strange thing is, we've walked her really close to the ram and she didn't bat an eyelid. But all three times we've done that, the ram has been 'resting'. We have foxes, badgers, squirrels and weasels come in the garden so she's used to the smell of them - though I suppose there could be a newcomer who smells different.
I've asked farmers and a few blogging friends who have sheep farms if they've ever known a dog spooked by the scent of a ram but they haven't. Tessa B still enjoys playing out with her doggy friends but stops mid-play to sniff the air.
LOL, sorry for the smelly post but it's just so sad and worrying to see Tessa B acting this way, she obviously feels threatened by the smell; any thoughts, suggestions and/or advice will be very gratefully received.
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