Behaviour change

Hi everyone.. my first post..
We have a 12 Yr old rescue Staffy, Charlie, female. along with a Jack Russell/Staffy X, Domino, male. Rescued at the same time last November. Both well looked after, their owner died unfortunately. Both adorable and have settled well with us.
As far as we know Charlie was also rescued at around the age of 1 and we don't know that history. We suspect but don't know for sure that Domino is Charlie's offspring.
To my reason for posting....Charlie got kennel cough last week and is over it and Domino got it a few days later. His coughing has sparked a massive behavioural change in Charlie. She cowers in the corner of the garden. Pants all the time. Shakes. She slept OK last night away from Domino. We let the dogs sleep on our bed but we separated last night. But when he coughed today she went straight to a corner of the garden. She's also very clingy.
Herbal wipes from the vet helped a bit yesterday.
I would be grateful for words of help or reassurance.. thank you.
Jon

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Hi from me & Katy, welcome to our forum Well done on rescuing your 2 furbabies We would love to see pics of them
I can't really offer any advice other than a vet check to make sure there isn't any underlying health issue if she's change behaviour that much

Many dogs are very wary & uncomfortable about illness in other dogs. Some become 'motherly', some become 'aggressive' & some become 'fearful'.

None of those are wrong - just coping mechanisms. If Charlie is otherwise fit & healthy (definitely given the all clear from a vet?), then it should pass when Domino is well again. Coughing, in a dog, is very alarming to other dogs!

Hello and welcome.

Good on you for the double rescue and sorry to hear they caught kennel cough (FYI a vaccine does exist and is very effective)

I was going to say that Charlie sounds like the introverted type who can quickly worry, the symptoms you describe sound like fear and “trauma”. As gilly says, give her time and reassurance and she’ll get her confidence back again

Thanks everyone... she's settling better this evening. We had our usual play when I got home from work and my wife has been watching her all day. Domino's cough is receding which is very helpful. Kennel cough is rife round these parts at the moment. Even dogs that have been vaccinated are getting it.
Charlie is a wonderful example of a Staffy.. we've never had one before, we've had a big golden and lab in the past, but are now loving the breed! Better late than never 🥰. Charlie is a bit naughty with other dogs so we need to be careful. We trust her implicitly around people/children. She is domineering of Domino normally and a bit playful aggressive with him. But he can give as good as he gets and it's never too serious.
I think in a couple of days we should all be back to normal. Photos to follow... I've got thousands ‍�

Glad to hear the situation is getting back to normal and can’t wait to see photos

They are both gorgeous & pleased to hear Domino's cough is improving & Charlie is settling back down

Yes things are looking a lot better today... so much so we're all going to try for the same bed tonight
On the last pic you can clearly see the spot on Domino's back.. hence he was so named. And we're loving his Queen Ann chair legs.
Life is good again

Let us know how the night goes Domino certainly has Queen Ann legs

So did last night confirm business as usual again ?

Everything fine till Domino coughed some time in the middle of the night 🥴 then Charlie hopped off.
Found her sanctuary bed we put by the back door that she's been finding solice in. Seemed fine in the morning.
Mojo back today .. prancing around the garden like a puppy. Once Dom's cough is gone for good it'll be all ok I'm sure. When he coughs now it doesn't take her long to get over it. Dom wouldn't hurt a fly (just eat them if he can catch it).. it's like in Charlie's eyes he becomes some sort of demon

Awwww, bless

Good to know everything is pretty much back to normal, what a worry they can be.

PS. I also have garden crocs

Aha well spotted! My wife's on her second pair... there's no going back!
All's well with the doggies now.. kennel cough a distant memory.. what a nasty thing it is. Thanks for your support guys!

That's great to hear, thanks for letting us know. Anytime you have a question just shout

Thanks for your feedback, reassuring to know you’re onto new adventures all together