spiritdogs
Posted : 1/18/2007 9:43:16 PM
Ear infections can affect balance. Until she feels more secure, perhaps you could invest in some carpet runners to make it easier for her to get around without fear. Once you are sure that the ear infection and its effects are completely gone, you might try to entice her onto the hard floor, a step or two at a time, and give her some yummy treats for each step. Once she realizes that she is being rewarded for her bravery, she should get better. Do make sure that her nails are trimmed properly, so that her pads are contacting the floor. Sometimes, if the dog can't get a proper grip, that makes them nervous, too.
If your dog is generally fearful, there's a great little booklet by Patricia McConnell called "The Cautious Canine" that has some great hints for increasing a dog's confidence. Another good one is "Help for Your Shy Dog" by Deborah Wood. You should be able to get both at dogwise.com. Good luck, and I hope your dog feels lots better really soon.