Multiple Sclerosis and symptoms and how they affect pets?

To all that answered regarding my dog picking up my nervousness, I would like to say it was not a slap to anyone with a disease it was just a question as to whether or not anyone else's pets experienced the same type of symptoms.
I would never be rude to anyone with the disease I have!!!!!!! Or any other diseases.
It is God awful to think you all thought I would make fun of anyone!!
One person answered me with the response of the dog being the head of the pack. Well because I am her owner she will follow and immitate my nervous disorder.
Vet or no vet experience or no experience, my dog never did have this problem until my disease worsened with the constant jumping at every little noise. I have spoke with my neurologist and he has assured me that other patients have the same nervous conditions. Medication or not. So I apologize to those who have the disease and thought I was being cruel. And again I was in no way making fun of others. It is not in my soul to do so.

How my MS affects my dogs:

I breed, train and use Service Dogs.

My primary dog is very attuned to how my body works and frankly lets me know when I'll be needing her. Sometimes I'm not as attuned as she is and ignore her warnings... to my own detriment.

My younger dogs, who are at various levels of training, are becoming attuned to the people they interact with very quickly.

As a trainer I can tell you that what you are seeing is not the dog copying you... dogs simply don't work that way. What she most likely has done is figured out ways that work for her to get your attention. As an example: At 4 weeks of age my partner's puppy made a "Meow" sound... my partner gave her lots of attention for it.. and being a bright girl she repeated it and got attention... Now, at 17 mos of age, when she wants his attention she meows at him. In your case your dog has done things that capture your attention-- you have responded and reinforced the behaviors (even if that's not what you intended).

Like you, I startle easily... its just part of the disease. My dogs have picked up on that... and will stand up to check on things because of my reactions. I have had to do a LOT of training to reinforce that the dogs should NOT react unless I ask for it - but being both dogs and Service Dogs they tend to want to check things (me, the environment) out when I've startled. What I don't do is say "It's ok, Miss Dora, there's nothing there" because THAT would reinforce that she was right -- depending on how strongly the dog reacted to my startle my response is either to ignore it (non-issue) or grumble at the dog to go lie down.

Don't worry about what others here think of you. This is an internet forum and none of our opinions about you should have any impact on your life. Thanks for the apology but its simply not needed.

I did not see your original question. In my opinion dogs pick up on our vibes, your disease projects nervousness and your dog pick up on it. I was diagnosed with seisures 4 years ago and both my dogs and my parrots demenor change when I am having a seisure. Good luck to you.

I've been diagnosed with MS for over 25 years. My cats, some more so than others, have been seeemingly sensitive to my emotional and physical health problems. They seem more attentive and affectionate when I am down.

They mean the world to me.

Alot of dogs do pick this up since they notice changes in their owners behavior such as if you are sick or hurt the dog gets it and tries to help or lay by your side some even whimper for you because they sense this and feel you are not right at this point If she sees alot she will do as you do but that's not your fault and surely not the dogs My niece has this as well so don't let people judge you unless they have been there them selves they don't know what this MS can and has done to you and now your doggie as long as you are happy the dog is happy then all will be fine