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Stella keeps faking injuries
My smart as a whip Aussie, Stella, has gotten into a habit of faking injuries. A few months ago I was paying another dog too much attention while on a hike. Out of the blue Stella hurt her paw so we had to go home. Once home, the limp was gone. Last week we were in the back yard playing and Sam (who weighs almost twice as much as her) was kind of kicking her butt; all of a sudden her paw was hurt so we had to come in. Then last night…..but this time she limped all night and even this morning a little. Once I was out of the house I got a call from Mike telling me that she isn’t limping at all.
I’m not sure what to do, but this crying wolf thing has to end.
I’m not sure what to do, but this crying wolf thing has to end.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jill and Riley on -
Hmm...it's a toughie...maybe just ignore her 'injury' since she's getting attention from doing it, thus reinforcing the behaviour...but just to double check since both times she faked it she was active, maybe just check with the vet...my sister has a chi who limps...when we're paying attention tothe other dogs, when he didn't get his walk in. We knew there wasn't something wrong though because he would switch his 'hurt' legs, haha.
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Permalink Reply by Kara on -
That is so unusual! Maybe the girls with Behave have seen something like this before...?
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Permalink Reply by Bridget on -
If she is really faking it, then I suggest you wrap it up big in ace bandages and tape. Make it cumbersome and annoying to have to drag around a "hurt" paw. She'll quickly get tired of that game.
Whippets are so smart.
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Permalink Reply by Laura (Stella & Sam's Mom) on -
Thanks Bridget, that is such a good idea. Next time I’m going to put a tube sock over her paw and wrap it with tape. She’ll hate that!
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