Expert: Jill Connor, Ph.D. - 1/29/2012

Question
Hi,

We have a dog (that we got from a rescue a couple of years ago), she is about 2 years old now) that is extremely fearful of something coming from the sky when she is outside.  This behavior consists of looking up in the sky and then cowering and walking over to a place underneath a tree where she usually lays down.

This behavior is not always prevalent since she will play with our other dog at time (as if she forgets about whatever is up in the sky) but then goes back to her usual self and cowers and runs back underneath a tree.  

She also does something similar when she is inside the house,  she looks up at the ceiling often as well.

Other behaviors we see that are similar are very sensitive to loud noises and unknown things where she is tends to flee and find a safe spot to lay down.

At this point we are more concerned on her behavior outside and how we can address this.  Would love to receive feedback about this.

Thank you,

Brad

Answer
If this behavior was exclusively seen outdoors, I would consider the possibility of a conditioned fear response to something that occurred outdoors (a bird defending a nest, such as a Mockingbird, that can be extremely aggressive and actually "attack" an "intruder"); since she's demonstrating it indoors as well, it's less likely to be strictly behavioral ALTHOUGH what is called "generalizing" could be occurring: this means the dog has connected the outdoor experience with another cue (her own body posture, a sound, a slant of light, something very subtle, etc.) and is repeating the response (has learned to avoid) the "phantom" threat (this is called superstitious behavior.)

Her sensitivity to loud noises and "unknown things" makes me lean in the direction of neurological problem: low level temporal lobe seizures.  Eye movement elicits brain response and vice versa (in humans there is a form of therapy that involves eye movement to change brain wave patterns and therefor thought patterns).

You need a veterinary behaviorist.  This is an expert in the physiology of behavior in a clinical setting (not in your home).  Such a professional should be able to evaluate the dog based upon ALL information you can provide, do a base line neurological evaluation, and make suggestions regarding more sophisticated testing or even put the dog on medication.  You can find one at the following sites or by calling the veterinary college in your area:
http://www.veterinarybehaviorists.org/
http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/

The dog's behavior really does require expert evaluation and this veterinary behaviorist is the place to take her.  Please use followup feature to report what occurs after you see him/her.