by Inka
(Driftwood, TX, USA)

I got Kodiak (a chow chow) at 6 months of age, right after the amputation of his right rear leg. We assume he got hit by a truck/school bus at about 3 months of age.


The accident dislocated his right hip and he learned somehow how to get around like that for 2-3 months (no one knows the exact story, but he ended up in a shelter. After the amputation he had to learn how to walk all over again, which took over a year of regular water treadmill work and other physical exercises. He now gets around very well, can run if he wants to, plays fetch etc.

Along with his physical handicap Kodiak has been diagnosed with generalized demodex, which we are still trying to get under control but has gotten better in the last year.

He also had a bad experience at a emergency vet over a year ago and since then might growl at people he doesn’t know and might try to bite if someone tried to touch him. He was reserved but friendly before the emergency room visit.

His main problem now is (he is 3.5 years old) that when he wakes up from sleeping, he acts like he thinks someone is out to get him; he goes in a split second from sleep to uncontrollably, blindly, barking and getting up to attack whatever he thinks it is that attacks him (this happens mostly when he wakes up from noises like a knock on the door).

It takes him a couple of minutes to realize that everything is good, but during that time I have to watch him closely since we have 3 other dogs whom he might attack when he is in that aroused state of mind.

His diet now consists of vegetarian natural balance kibble, some dehydrated raw food w/chicken, and some home-cooked. He gets several supplements mostly for his skin but also a product called ‘stress free complex’ from a company called ‘springtime’.

I am working on a desensitizing program (making noises when he is sleeping just loud enough for him to hear, without upsetting him).

Any input is greatly appreciated, thank you!
Inka Wolter

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