LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Dogs

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Hi Mark,

It's a definite possibility. The best thing you can do is let your vet take a look at the paw and try to determine what's wrong. Although the paw only looks slightly red between the toes, the paw could have been accidentally stepped on and have more of an injury than is readily apparent. The vet may decide to wrap it temporarily to protect it for some healing time.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog will soon be back to normal.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, I have a female chihuahua that is about 5 1/2 years old. She has not been spayed, nor ever had a litter. Up until very recently, she has always been very energetic and playfully aggressive. Also, if she was in a comfortable position, and you tried to move her, she would growl softly. She also used to jump off of our bed whenever she wanted to.

It seems like, all of a sudden, her personality changed. She is very submissive and only gets excited when I take her for a ride. Shortly after returning, she goes back to this new behavior. She doesn't really seem to be interested in playing. But, her appetite is good. She stopped jumping down from the bed and will not even jump off of the couch. Sometimes, when you touch her, she will let out a little cry. At the times that I mentioned that she would growl, if you tried to move her, she now lets out a little cry. She seems to be favoring her right front paw just a little. I examined her foot and only see a slight redness between her "thumb" and paw. Could even a little pain be enough to cause all of this change?

-- Contributed by: Mark

Hi Jessica,

When a senior dog turns grump/aggressive, there's usually a medical cause behind the behavior. It's possible you dog is in pain, and that could be the cause for the behavior change. The best thing you can do is take your dog to the vet for an evaluation. He may have arthritis that could be helped by pain medication. There may be another treatable ailment you're unaware of. The vet can also help evaluate your dog's mental status. Dogs, like people, are also prone to developing dementia as they grow old. This could be yet another reason for the sudden behavior change.

Thank you for sharing your situation, and I do hope your vet can find a solution before anything else happens.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kim,

I think it's worth taking your male to the vet for a thorough exam. He has reached his senior years, so it's good to get a baseline on his health. Sometimes a dog will experience a personality change like this when there is a physical ailment that is bothering him. Have you noticed any other changes? Is your dog only aggressive during mealtime? These are questions your vet is likely to ask, so keep a journal and write down anything unusual about your dog's behavior. It may help your vet reach a diagnosis.

For now, separating the dogs at mealtime is a very good idea, and make sure all the food is picked up before you allow them to be together again.

Best wishes that you can find a solution to this situation.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog is now 10 years old. He is a larger than average yellow lab. When I say larger than average I mean that he is taller and broader than any yellow lab my vet has even seen in person. My family and I have had him since he was a puppy and until the age of three there was another, older black lab in the house with him. We thought we had socialized him very well; he was always the kindest dog and eager to please and meet new people and animals. He is also very fond of our two cats. Recently I have noticed a marked change in his behavior. He is now grumpy and now longer looks for much human companionship. Our routine nail clippings and ear cleanings which were once not even noticed are now a trial for him and he is very resistant. He has been showing aggression toward everyone, growling for no apparent reason and recently he bit my two brothers. Now the bites weren't bad, but they were separate instances, one which I witnessed and saw no provocation. The next time he bites we will have to put him down and I really do not want to. He is my baby and I love him so much. I just don't understand his sudden personality change. He was always so gentle and even when my brothers were younger and would tug and sit on him he never showed the slightest animosity. PLEASE HELP!

-- Contributed by: Jessica

Hello, We currently have two american eskimos, one of age 13(female) and the other of age 11 (male). THey grew up together and have been very friendly towards each other, the male used to share his food with the female and he always left her a little to finish off. It has began as of recently over the last year where the male dog has suddenly become extremely aggressive while they are eating their meals together. He growls at her and once she is done she walks by his bowl of food and a fight breaks out where he turns to bite. This is getting a bit scary to say the truth and I am confused as to why he has become this way. We started to separate the two during meals times now but we are extremely concerned with this behaviour and are becoming more cautious and aware of this behaviour. Some advise on this please?

-- Contributed by: Kim - agressive with the other dog

Hi Amanda,

There are a couple possible explanations for what's going on here. First, it's always possible that a sudden bout of aggressive behavior can be connected to an undiscovered medical problem. A dog can feel unwell yet hide it from human companions. However, grouchiness/aggression might be a sign the animal is in pain, so it's always worth considering. As an added thought, she may even be getting ready to come into heat and feeling grumpy due to the switch in hormone levels.

That said, this might just be a case of your puppy coming of age. She could be testing her place in the family pack and trying to move up a knotch over anyone she thinks she can. You'll need to vocally discourage that behavior the instant it begins, as should anyone she is directing the behavior toward. It's also good to have anyone she's being aggressive toward take her out for a daily walk on leash. This puts that person in a leadership position, and walking like this is a natural way to establish pack order. Give it a try and see if it helps. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a female shih tuz who will be one year old in a few days. She all of a sudden has become aggressive, not with other dogs but with all of us. My husband myself and our two boys share a house with my parents. This all started with my father coming up from the basement and the dog would begin to growl, now it has tuned into everytime you move around where she is is becomes aggressive towards you. However the dog have not been aggressive with either one of the kids or my husband. Any help or addvice would be appreciated

-- Contributed by: Amanda

Hi Samantha,

This is a long shot, but is there a possibility a an animal such as a raccoon or possum has found it's way into your attic. It sounds like your dog is hearing something that only stirs at night, and your dog may have actually smelled an animal behind that wall.

The reason that I make this suggestion is that my husband used to operate an nuisance wildlife removal business, and the family dog was often the first to sense the animals presence. You may want to check your attic louvers to see if one appears pulled open. Also be sure to take a good listen when your dog wakes you up at night. You may be able to hear some thumps that might be the animal moving around.

If this doesn't turn out to be the problem, it may be a good idea to speak with your vet or a canine behaviorist to diagnose the cause of the unusual behavior.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi there, about 2 years ago, a co worker abadonned her full grown alaskan malamute with us. A beautiful dog, he is mild mannered, and very sweet with us. Fortunately, my other dog, a schi-tzu named Trixie, is female, so Dallas disregards her. He is extremely threatening and aggresive with ALL male dogs( I rarely will even walk him, as I dont have the strength to stop him if we see another dog, so my fiance owns that reponsibility)..However, over the last few weeks, his demeanor has become erratic, panting constantly, he runs around the home frantically at night, for the past few nights he has even jumped on he bed and forcefully jumped on me a number of times, almost as if he thinks he is the same size as trixie. Scared the hell out of me, follows me around the house(even in the bathroom), needs to be touching me at all times, and last night he pressed his face against the wall and barked furiously at it for seveal hours.Sleeplessness aside, its only me he wakes at 4am, my concern is safety. His behavior is very different and crazed. He is a HUGE dog, if he wanted to hurt me, he certainly could, and my concerns for my little Trixie are increasing. Any clue what may be causing these changes,

-- Contributed by: samantha phillips

Hi Evan,

I truly understand your concern. My first suggestion is to take Max to the vet for a thorough exam. Sometimes an underlying illness/condition can cause a dog to feel more aggressive. It's better to investigate this angle in case your dog needs some kind of treatment.

That said, it sounds like your dog may have the idea that he can move up in the pack hierarchy. He's not only displaying aggression towards Sarah, he has growled at you as well. If Max hasn't already been through obedience training, now would be a good time to enroll. This will re-establish your position as his pack leader and allow you to have more control over him when he goes after Sarah. This will help you deliver the message that his aggressive behavior is unwanted, and it should eventually eliminate the problem for the most part.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope this advice proves helpful.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Lale,

It sounds like Lucky has really been through some tough times. Right now, I think she's a little confused and trying to decide where she fits in with her new family. It sounds like she's just testing the waters with her growling, so now is the time for all of you to establish some firm yet loving authority over her. Perhaps one of you, ideally your aunt, can take Lucky through an obedience course. This would help her understand her proper place in relationship to her humans. Once she has been through the training, it would be helpful for your aunt to show you and your grandma how to deliver the commands and put Lucky through her paces. This will teach her that both of you are also above you in the pack order. it will also be helpful for each of you to take turns walking Lucky on leash so she learns to follow your lead. Walking together also helps establish pack order.

I really think this will be enough to correct the unwanted behavior, and it will make Lucky a better companion for everyone concerned. Best wishes for a happy outcome. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi there,

We have a hyperactive 5 year old Groodle called Max who has had a sudden change of behaviour and cannot explain it. What occurred was a normal night time where we were getting ready for bed and the 3 dogs (Max, Grace-9-rotti and Sarah-3-pure ...erspaniel) are playing on our bed. The normal sleeping arrangement is Max and Sarah on the bed while our older Rotti Grace sleeps in her own bed. I grabbed Max and was had a rough and tumble and while i was holding him Sarah came over to join in. This is COMPLETELY normal and all the dogs play together and enjoy each other. Suddenly though Max viciously snapped numerous times at Sarah and had i not been holding him could have done some damage. That night he hardly came back on the bed and he slinked into the bathroom to sleep which is unheard of as we sometimes have to push him off the bed to get in! So scared was Sarah that even now 2 days later she sneaks around him and is very tentative. Since this occurance he has even been growling at me but mostly while on the bed and he slinks under the table most the day, seems to be unable to look us in the eye or follow commands and is completely out of sorts. For him to growl at me is huge as i came in to the family with my dog Grace a year ago and my girlfriend jokingly accused Max and Sarah as being traitors as they do come to me first for cuddles and play. The next morning my girlfriends son advised us that Max had another go at Sarah that day but that night when we came home we had the 'old' Max back. He was playful, looking at us properly and he was playing again with me and the dogs. That night everything was fine but again this morning he was growling a bit and under the table again. We are at a loss to explain this behaviour and cant think of any significant event such as trauma or an injury. For him to snap in the way he did has worried my girlfriend and she has stated (fairly enough) that if he has a go at any of us he is being put down. I love my dogs like children and the thought of not knowing whats happening is killing me! I want to help him but cant see why hes like this. Im itching to get home to see if hes 'old' Max again. Any suggestions or ideas?

-- Contributed by: Evan Whittaker

Hi My aunt who lives in a different city,adopted a dog that was sleeping in the streets. The dog,we named her Lucky, had an obviously hard life in the streets,which you could easily tell from her fur blackened with coal,and bleeding feet.My aunt took very good care of Lucky,and I went to visit her in 10 days after she was adopted.She seemed to like me immediately,without barking or showing any hostile behaviour.I visited them 2 times,each for 3 days.With summer coming my grandmother travelled to my aunt's house.Lucky and grandmom seemed to get along well for 5-6 days,until one day Lucky showed her teeth to her and also tried to stop her from getting in the house.Since that time (about 3 weeks),my grandmom has been a bit scared of her,and on guard.A week ago I came to my aunt's house for the summer vacation ,too.Lucky was happy to see me,and we have been getting along great until tonight.My aunt,Lucky and me were out for a walk,than she avoided us somehow,and we found her sitting on the porch.She was happy to see us,so I sat down next to her as I do very often,and patted her.She licked my hands and put her foot on my hand gently but when I was patting her head as I always do,she suddenly showed her teeth to me and made the scary noise.I wasn't sure if she meant it but she repeated it 2 more times.I have always believed that dogs are very sensitive and smart to pick up things like love,so I'm a bit worried and upset at this.Is it possible that she might be jealous that my aunt is spending time with me?Would she harm me or my grand mother?We do truely love her but we are concerned about this sudden hostile and aggressive change...It would be really great if you could guide us what to do,how to treat her,and if this hostility is permanent or not.

Thank you so much!

-- Contributed by: Lale

Hi Esther,

It sounds like your dog is feeling confused over the move, and she's trying to determine what is her territory and how these new people fit in. The best thing you can do is remain calm and consistent with her. Since you know how she's going to react to other people in the area, watch for the cues that she is becoming anxious, and try to preempt the aggressive posturing. As her leader, she's going to look to you for how to respond. Interrupting the anxiety and redirecting her to more acceptible activities should help break this new habit she has developed. She sounds like an otherwise patient and congenial dog, so I think the extra guidance from you will help work out the situation.

Obedience class can also help with this issue. The training is designed to put you in the top leadership position and teach your dog to take her cues from you. It will give you even more control over her, and she will learn to rely on your judgement instead of taking matters into her own control with the display of dominance toward others.

It's going to take a little time to help your dog adjust to her new surroundings, but I think she'll come around. Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope these suggestions help.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Courtney,

I wonder if something about the elevator scared her one day? Elevators sometimes make banging noises. You may not have noticed it much, but it could have spooked your puppy a bit, and she now remembers it everytime she approaches the elevator. It may be better to carry her to the elevator and down to the ground floor so she feels more secure. Just act naturally like you do this all the time. Being nonchalant will help teach your pup there's nothing to be frightened of.

As for the problem with your pup refusing to walk on leash, it sounds like she may have been testing you with those earlier times she stopped. Since you responded by ending the walk and taking in her home, she got what she was looking for, and it seems to have snowballed from there. I think it would be helpful to enroll in an obedience class. This will put your pet in the presence of other dogs that are working on leash, and being in a completely new location will likely make her want to follow you more. That could be just enough to help get her back on leash and walking again. However, your class instructor will also be able to observe you and your dog in person and offer clues about what's making your dog decide she won't walk. Having that second pair of eyes on the situation should really help resolve the issue.

Thanks for your question, and I hope these thoughts help. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello,

My dog was always nice to people and dogs, Since we have moved she has now barked agressive towards other dogs and people. We live in a town house so our backyard is shared and when people walk by she aggressivly barks at them. Now she barks when the door bell rings although she is not aggressive toward them when they come in. She is also very nice and gentle to our baby when he is pulling her hair ect. We don't know what to do!

-- Contributed by: Esther

My puppy is about 9 months old. We live in an apt where we take the elevator down to go for her walk every day. She was always very excited to go out, as soon as i opened the door she would run out and strait to the elevator and sit excitedly waiting for the door to open then she would charge in. Once outside she would walk normally and do her business then we would hed back to the apt. In the past two weeks though she has done none of this. She now will not approach the elevator the same way without coaxing, and once outside she will sit down or lay down and refuse to walk. If i try to pull her along or convince her to walk she resists. I carried her to a grassy area and she played and walked normally. It was hardly noticeable at first because she was only stopping once on the walk therefore and i assumed she was hot and took her home. It became more apparent after we spent a weekend at my sister's house where she was playing with her 6 Goldens (my puppy is a shih tsu) and was off a leash in the yard playing and doing her buisness. I assumed she was upset that she doesn't have a yard or other dogs to play with back home, but the fact that the changes seemed to be beginning prior to that visit by about a week i'm unsure and worried about my dog.

-- Contributed by: Courtney

Hi Brian,

Could your dog possibly be guarding something she has buried in the yard? You might want to take a closer look if she tends to hang out in the same area each time to see if you can spot anything unusual. It's also possible that there is something inside of the house that she finds troubling, so take a look around inside as well. Aside from that, your dog might also be trying to take the alpha position in your relationship. It might be a good idea to enroll in an obedience course if you haven't done so before. If you have put her through obedience, it would be a good idea to work her through the exercises to re-establish your place as her leader so she responds to your commands.

Hopefully one of these suggestions will help get things back to normal for you both. Thanks for sharing your situation.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi,

I have a 5 year old boarder collie/labrador mix. Normally she is an indoor dog except when I am not here (I mostly work from home, so here a bit). Last couple of days she has taken to laying down out the back instead of in the house, even at night and when given a bone, she didn't touch it? She is very stubborn when doing this and when I ask her to come back in she just sits down, then lays down. She still plays (at the park) and eats dinner, but any ideas?

Brian.

-- Contributed by: Brian

Hi Katie,

I think your dog's maternal instincts have been awakened by your new pup. You're going to have to monitor your dog to prevent her aggression against other dogs, or she might get a reputation for being viscious even though she's not actually biting the other dogs. It's going to be very important that you watch for the moment when her aggressive instinct kicks in and redirect her behavior before she gets fully started. By nipping it in the bud consistently, you may be able to train her away from the behavior.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with the situation.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 5 year old female boxer who has never had any type of aggression towards other dogs. She was always happy to see them and wanted to play. She has never gone after dogs that have been walking by our house. Recently we got another boxer that is 12 weeks and a male. They love to play together. Recently my 5 year old has been going after dogs walking by our house and bulling them onto there backs. As far as I know she hasn't bit or hurt any of them but she growls like I've never heard her before and pushes them on there backs then she stops and stands over them. I was wondering how I could correct this problem? Is it the new puppy causing this problem? is she being protective? She never acted that way with my 2 kids.

-- Contributed by: Katie

Hi Megan, and welcome.

It's difficult to say what happened, but when a dog has a sudden and drastic personality change, it's often due to an undiagnosed medical condition. That lump behind your dog's ear, whatever it might have been, might have had something to do with the entire situation, especially if it was painful to him.

As for your question about Pitbull heritage, Pits do become more aggressive toward other dogs after they reach 18 months old, but they are still typically good with their human companions.

Thanks for sharing your situation and visiting the site.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We adopter our dog six years ago when he was a puppy. He was the runt of the group. He had always been friendly and well kept, but up until 8 or 9 months ago, he began to be really agressive and loud. He's always been a watchdog to our family, but it seems as though he'd begin to growl at the slightest noise made. We also noticed that he had a bump on the back of his ear. It almost felt like it could be a tick, but he didn't like us touching it. Unfortunately, we had to get rid of him, but I am just wondering what could have caused this behavior? Could the bump on the back of his ear have anything to do with it? When we got Lou, we were told that he was a mut and so was his mother. We think he may have had part-pitbull in him or terrier. Do you think that it was his nature to get more and more aggressive as he grew up? Do you have any idea what caused this recently behavior change in him?

-- Contributed by: Suddenly turned agressive

Hi Kev,

I'm so glad the vet was able to diagnose your dog's problem and figure out a way to treat it. Thanks for letting us know what you found out, and best wishes for your dog's future good health. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kyle,

I'm sorry to hear about the difficulty your dog is going through. I think the first thing you should do is take her to the vet for a complete exam. Her problem might be related to failing eyesight, but it could be more than that. Only your vet can make the diagnosis. It's interesting that these episodes only come on in late afternoon. I know of a condition in senior citizens called "sun-downers" that causes similar behavior changes, but I do not know if this condition has ever been do...ented in dogs. At just two years old, it wouldn't seem your dog should experience such an issue, but it could be worth bringing up for a discussion with your vet.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know what your vet says. What you learn may help others in a similar situation. Best wishes for a good outcome.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Okay thanks for your info. Went to the vet today, Blood test normal, temperature normal. Prognosis: Bowel problem constipation stool like hard golf balls. Food was trapping in the intestines and wouldn,t move, this caused a dilerious state of mind for the dog and caused her to be fearful of everything and everyone and always wanting to get away and exercise herself even though I ran her each day for over an hour she wanted more to get the bowels moving. LACTULOSE Solution was given to take 8ml twice a day. Cortisone shot was given so that we can give all the vitamins and good food when she starts eating normal.

We have also been giving her now incremin from the pharmacy this is given to kids to make them eat full of iron and vitamin B, vet reckons this will get her on her feet. Since passing the hard stool her personality has changed back to what she was before a loving kind dog.

Just though I would pass this on just in case someone else has the same problems.

thks again kev

-- Contributed by: Thanks for information here is result

Hi, my family owns a 2 yr old ...er spaniel. she has been with us for about seven months, and for that entire time she has been very quiet and shy, almost timid. It took a while but she finally warmed up to every family member and has been simply a happy, shy dog. However, in the last few days we have seen quite a change in her personality where she is constantly agitated and anxious. She paces around the house non-stop, knocking things over and making a huge mess. When she is outside it is the same thing, more pacing and more displacement. The thing is, she is very lucid and amiable for most of the day, its usually in the late afternoon when she exhibits these changes. When shes having these "mood swings" she refuses to be held and her heart races. I know this is not her natural personality and that something must be bothering her. Any help or advice you could give would be great. Thanks

-- Contributed by: kyle

Hi Kev,

I'm sorry to hear about the difficulty you're having with your dog. Although a female might be slightly skittish when she comes into season, this sounds a little more serious than that. I think it would be a good idea to have your dog evaluated by a canine behaviorist. The behaviorist will assess your dog's temperament in the home, and watch for any clues that might explain what sets off her behavior. Based on the behaviorist's findings, you might then consider enrolling your dog in socialization and training classes. It's important that she continues to develop a relationship with you so you'll be able to handle her as an adult.

It would also be a good idea to have a discussion with your vet about your dog's personality change. Ask if there are any known side-effects of the antibiotic your dog was on. The vet may decide to perform another physical exam.

I'm hopeful that the situation can be corrected, but it's going to take some applied effort. Beginning with a call to your local dog training facility should help get the ball rolling. Good luck.

As for the eating problem, have you tried changing her diet to a premium dog food? This might entice her to eat more.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi I have a 7 month old German Shephard pure breed. She has always been a fussy eater, but now her personality has completely changed in one day. She woke up upset and scarded, she doesn't want to be in the house. It is like a white fang movie call of the wild, she has a bit of loyalty towards us but I really get the impression she wants to leave. We go on walks and runs in the park all the time daily and she is happy when we do that. As soon as we arrive home she won't eat properly just nibbles some food. We visited the vet prior to this with a skin problem he gave us antibiotics and gave her a cortisone injection. She ate everything we gave for two days then suddnely stopped again. We live on a quarter acre and she is always in the pool. Nothing has changed since we got her as a pup, but now it just seems she wants to be on her own with no human contact unless you show her the lead then she wants out. Questions can this be hormonal, the breed. I am at a loss this change was sudden like more mental then physical, I have examined her all over there is no signs of injury or inflamation, What do you think.

thks kev

-- Contributed by: kingham@bigpond.net.au

Hi Brigitte,

Is there any possibility that someone at your house accidentally broke that routine and left your dog out one night? This would have given her a taste of nighttime freedom that she really wants back.

Here are a couple of suggestions for dealing with the problem.

Is there a reason you want to continue crating your dog at night? If she is trustworthy during the day, you may be able to trust her loose during the night. Chances are, she'll want to bunk with you. If she isn't prone to house accidents or chewing, this may work for you.
If nighttime crating is necessary, you need to condition her to accept it again. You might want to purchase her favorite type of chew bone, and only give it to her as she enters her crate each evening. This will give her something to look forward to, and it could occupy her until she's tired enough to sleep.

Hopefully one of these suggestions will restore peace to your home so you both can get your rest. Thanks for posting. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My six year old LhasoApso has started barking (sometimes for an hour or more) once I put her in her kennel for the night and sometimes starts barking during the night. This is the same routine we've had and nothing has changed. We just can't get to sleep and I can't get her to stop the barking. Her behaviour is normal at all other times.

-- Contributed by: Brigitte

Hi Kaitlyn,

Feeling lethargic is sometimes, but not always, and early indication of illness. Have you noticed anything else unusual about Campbell? Is he still eating well and drinking plenty of water? These are important things to watch for. Does Campbell seem to have any sore spots or difficulty moving when he does get up? If so, that's another sign that something really is wrong.

Based on what you observe, it might be a good idea to take Campbell in for a check up. The vet may be able to determine a cause for your dog's lethargy, and most illnesses are easier to treat in the early stages before the symptoms become too severe. It's better to err on the side of caution.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope Campbell will be alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog campbell has been acting strange. He is not asactive as usual.We dont know if he is just sick or atesomething wrong

-- Contributed by: kaitlyn

Hi Jet,

Given the number and type of symptoms, it would be best to take your dog to the vet for an exam. What concerns me most is the heavy breathing. It could be due to a fluid build up in the lungs. This could be caused by a number of conditions, congestive heart failure and pneumonia among them. Senior pets are more fragile, so it would be a good idea to seek veterinary care before the symptoms grow worse.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's recovery.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my dog doesn't have energy and he is not as active and his he doesn't have an appatite he is drinking some water and when he lays on the floor he has some heavy breathing can u help me i don't know whats going on , he is 9yrs old .thanks .......kj

-- Contributed by: sick dog

Hi Vicki,

The first thing you want to do is make a thorough inspection of the inside of the dog house to see if your dog has something she's hiding and guardind inside of it. This might make her reluctant to come outside. If you don't find anything that could account for her behavior, I think it would also be a good idea to ask your vet to examine your dog. Her behavior may be due in part to the separation she experienced in your absence, but it is also possible she could have developed a medical problem while you were gone.

During your absence, who cared for your dog? Ask this person if they noticed any significant changes in your dog's behavior during the week and when those changes were noticed. These changes could include the reclusiveness you mention, a lack of appetite, signs of pain, etc. Even minor changes might provide clues to what is going on. Be sure to write everything down so you can present it to your vet for consideration at your appointment.

Hopefully there is nothing seriously wrong and your dog will eventually return to being her old playful self. Thanks for sharing your situation, and good luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My nine year old lab has always been very playful. I went to stay with my niece last week and when I got home, my lab will not respond to anyone. She stays in her dog house. She will only get out to eat. Finally after much coercion, I got her out last night and she played but this morning, she was in the same mood. Any suggestions?

-- Contributed by: Vicki

Hi Sally,

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog's situation. It seems as though your dog went through some sort of trauma, but I really can't say what that might be. I do suggest you talk to the kennel operator and ask to know what went on with your dog while you were gone. A responsible establishment would have required you to leave a contact number where you could be reached, and would have called if your dog was experiencing significant problems during the stay. Aside from that, I would never use that kennel again.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I do hope your dog eventually returns to normal.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog lost a lot of weight during a kennel stay, and came home with diarrhea. She was confused and fearful when I picked her up and since then has been holding her butt down when she walks, and has tale between legs most of the time. She seems very needy, and trembles. She also developed a UTI. And has been pooping inside the house. The vet examined her rectally and said her rectum has lost most of its muscle tone. I'm wondering now if my dog was traumatized in that area when she was in the kennel?

-- Contributed by: sally mericle

Hi Kristina,

It is possible that Bumper has some abandonment issues from the sudden change in his life. His current behavior sounds as though he is laying claim to his new mom, hence marking her pillows where he can find her scent the strongest. The barking at the dad is most likely another territorial challenge that Bumper is using to (at least in his own mind) secure his position within the family.

The best thing this family can do is continue to provide solid structure for Bumper so he eventually learns that things won't change drastically from here on out. It would be a good idea to make the bedroom off limits. Obedience training would also be a good idea, especially if Bumper's new dad attends class as his trainer. This will help the two of them establish the proper pack order, as well as build trust between them.

Thanks for sharing this situation, and hope Bumper's new family will find these suggestions helpful. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

About 7 mo. ago I placed my 2 yr old chinese crested, Bumper, in a new home. They had a dog dying of cancer and wanted to have another dog before he died. Soon after he went to live with them the were telling me he was barking at everything and scared of anybody in or near their house as well as loud noises. Their sick dog died about 2 months ago. 2 days later they ended up with another rescue dog. They gave away this dog within the last couple of weeks because they didnt think Bumper liked him. He aboslutly loves this family but at times acts like he doesnt know the dad, barking at him like hes a stranger. Hes also been peeing on his new moms pillow, just hers.

None of this is at all normal for him. When I had him he loved everyone, begged for attention. He was well socialized by his breeder as well as me. I took agility classes with him and he was never scared of anybody. Would it be possible that he was so traumatized by me dissapearing that hes afraid they will leave him too?

-- Contributed by: Kristina

Hi Ren,

You're correct in assuming that you should pay attention to what your in-laws dog is trying to communicate. Since she has bitten another puppy, she could certainly bite yours as well. It would not be a good idea to leave your puppy with your in-laws since they don't seem to take their own dog's behavior seriously.

And this is the heart of the problem. Their dog has been allowed to become progressively dominant. By not assuming the role of this dog's leaders, your in-laws are actually emboldening the behavior. They need to reassert their position. This can easily be achieved by enrolling their dog in obedience class. Seven years old is not too old to learn better manners. Their dog is in the prime of life, and unless they want even more dominant behavior in the years to come, they need to take steps now to correct the unwanted behavior.

Bottom line, you can't do much about their dog's behavior, but you can keep your own dog out of harm's way.

Thanks for you question, and I hope your family is able to resolve the situation. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 5 month old Australian Shepherd puppy. We have made every attempt to socialize her well, including puppy kindergarten and lots of interaction with people and dogs, and she usually gets along very well with other dogs.

The problem is my In-Laws' Lab mix. I met her when she was about 3, and she is 7 now. When I first met her, she was so friendly, happy, and active. She had been raised in a home with another female dog who passed away about a year later, but there were no real personality changes when that dog passed away. The in-laws got a new lab puppy shortly after that, and, although their older dog seemed less happy-go-lucky, she was extremely patient and sweet with the new addition, until last Christmas, when she bit the younger dog on the nose and left an inch long scar. It appeared unprovoked, and everyone attributed it to the excitement and stress of Christmas, or fighting over new toys.

Since that time, the older dog has slowly gotten much less tolerant of the younger dog, and also much less playful. We bring our puppy over for visits, and she has snarled and snapped at her (the puppy) three times, again, seemingly unprovoked. The in-laws swear that the older dog would never hurt our puppy, and that the behavior / personality changes are just due to her age. They would be very hurt if we did not bring her over any more, but we are prepared to do that if necessary. My take is, she is a dog, she is communicating very clearly that she WOULD hurt our dog, and also, that something is not right with her.

I have a few questions: one, how concerned should we be about this behavior? two, what action should we or my in laws take? and three, my husband wants to leave our puppy with his parents when we go away for the weekend; is this a good idea? If not, is there any way to make it safe for our dog?

-- Contributed by: Ren

Hi Hannah,

This is unusual. Was it just a one time thing or is it an ongoing problem?

Just brain storming with you now. Take a thorough look around your house for anything unusual. The presence of a mouse or other pest might have made your dog react this way. Was it a stormy night when your dog first exhibited the behavior? That could have frightened her and led to the anxiety. If neither of these ideas fit what's going on at your house and the vet doesn't see an obvious cause, it may be worth pursuing a neurological exam. Your vet can tell you whether this is feasible.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know if you're able to figure out what's causing the behavior. Many dog owners experience similar situations, and the info may be helpful.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a 2 year old wiemaraner it is very calm. All of a sudden she wakes in the middle of the night scared to death, panting, hides, paces around the house. Nothing has changed in her diet, exercise, or daily rouiten, any suggestions? vet says he has never seen anything like it?

-- Contributed by: hannah

Hi Nancy,

Is there a chance that either of these girls are due to come in season? Emotions run high when those hormones begin change. There's also a chance the puppy is trying to assert herself more as she becomes and adult, and this could lead to some of the fighting.

For the most part, all you can do is maintain your position as the pack leader and let these girls work out the rest of the pecking order. Do bring a halt to the fighting if it truly seems like someone is going to get hurt, but try to let them settle it on their own first. Sometimes the fight seems fiercer than it really is.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 4-yr old long hair female mini daschund and a 11 month old female daschund-pomeranian mix. We got the mix when she was 2 months old. Occassionally the dogs will get upset with each other when playing and try to start a real fight and we have pulled them apart. For the last 2 days, the dogs are constantly starting fights with each other and we are having to keep them separated. They seem to be able to go outside together, but in the house, they are ready to rip each other apart.

-- Contributed by: Nancy

Hi Karen,

This does seem like a departure from your dog's typical behavior. It seems as though he wants something solid behind him so he only has to worry about what's in front. Have you heard any unusual noises at night? Perhaps a little thumping or rustling? My husband used to remove nuisance wildlife from homes, and dogs sometimes behave this way when a raccoon moves into an attic or a wall. It might be a good idea to inspect your home from the outside to look for possible entry ways. Attic vents and rotted soffits are just two ways these animals can get in. You might also want to inspect your attic and look for insulation that looks like it has been disturbed.

No matter what, continue to observe your dog for other signs of unusual behavior. It may provide more clues about what is going on. If you feel it's necessary, you can ask your vet to give your dog an examination. Sometimes unusual behaviors have medical causes.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog who used to sleep on the bed has started to sleep in closets, corners, etc. He lets me pick him up and move him but go back as soon as I let go. He keeps looking up like he sees or hears something. His appetite is good and plays when we engage him.

-- Contributed by: Karen

Thanks, Kelly,

Although Rocky is younger and skinier, he is much taller than Alex and is always trying to be the dominant dog. They weigh about the same but Rocky is kind of clumsy so even though he usually tolerates Rocky, when he wants to, Alex puts him in his place. This was just the first time it turned into a full fledged fight. Even after Rocky try to submit, Alex kept going after him. They have been fine today since my brother picked up his dog. It almost seems as if Alex was jealous of all the attention Rocky was giving to Otto (my brother's Puggle).

-- Contributed by: Robert

Hi Robert,

It's hard to say. Rocky might have been signaling a challenge to Alex that you didn't pick up on. Alex may also not be feeling quite well and trying not to show it. I think it's a very good idea to let your vet have a look at Alex, just to be sure if he needs medical attention. At this point, I don't think you need to consider giving anyone away. Sometimes dogs just need to work it out on their own. However, if Alex begins showing aggression to his people, you will have a serious problem on your hands. Be sure to talk it all over with your vet.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My wife & I have 2 boxers, Alex is 3 and Rocky is 18 months. They've grown up with each other since Rocky was 10 weeks old and have been great together. They also play with my brother's 1 year old Puggle. This weekend, we were watching my brother's dog and on the second day, Alex attacked Rocky for no obvious reason. The Puggle was nearby but not involved. We thought it was a fluke until he did it again the following day. We have a baby on the way and can't afford an aggressive dog but I can't stand the thought of giving either of them up. Any idea what could have caused this change in Alex? We can't reach our vet until Monday.

-- Contributed by: Robert

Hi Lori,

This truly is a problem since the children are in danger of being harmed. It's very important that you take this dog to the vet right away for a full evaluation. It is possible that she is suffering from joint pain or some other illness that makes her irritable. Whatever the cause, it's most important to make sure the children are safe. I recommend confining the dog until the vet visit, and then you can decide what the next step is after you get a better idea of what's wrong with her.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you're able to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Good luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We have a 7 year old lab/huskie mix and we got her when she was 3 months old.She was about 2 when my daughter moved up here with her son that was 2 at the time,and they got along great.my daughter then had two more kids that are 3,and 1 and are now staying with me,we never had a problem with the dog and the kids before,but over the last 3 weeks and has bit both the kids and has also shown aggresivness twords the adults and also acts like she wants to kill the cat that she was raised with and never had problems with before.We dont understand why she suddenly wants to kill the cat,bighting at the kids,or snarling when they even come close to her and showing aggresion twords the addults when givin an order to move or to do something asked of her.

-- Contributed by: Lori

Hi Janet,

This sudden change is rather alarming. I'm not a vet, so I'd only be speculating about the cause for your dog's new behavior. Your best option would be to have your vet examine your dog. The vet would check for a metabolic disturbance, sign of stroke and any other likely cause for your dog's fear, confusion and lethargy.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I do hope your dog fully recovers.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We have a 6 year old Pomeranian for a family pet. He wasn't exctaly the most loving dog, but he did always seem happy. He played, he loved to go outside, he ate regularly, and he always was the first to greet you at the door. Lately though, he won't do much of anything. He won't play, or run to the door. He won't listen to anyone in the family. He hides and is scared of little things like flies. He barely eats and acts like he has no clue who we are. This change was so sudden it scares us. He was fine just a week ago. We just want some explaintion on why he is being so strange. If you could help it would be a great help!

-- Contributed by: Janet

Hi Samantha,

It's very difficult to determine what caused this sudden change, but more often than not it's a signs of a physical ailment. You describe your dog as shaking and panting. It's possible this could have been a mild seizure, and that the episode frightened you dog enough that she's clinging to you for comfort.

All things considered, I would call the vet and make an appointment for her if she doesn't return to normal in another day or so. You can also help by downplaying her current behavior so you don't accidently feed into her anxiety. Allow her to follow you, but remain calm and casual. Your dog will hopefully take a cue from your behavior and begin to relax again.

Thanks for your question, and I do hope that everything will be alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

This morning when I got up early in the morning, my Lab had a sudden personality change. She is normally a REALLY happy dog. Normal in every way, friendly and loving, playful, too. But this morning she started crying and shaking and panting for no reason and now, with her tail tucked between her legs, walks around the house glued to my hip, terrified. It's as if someone beat her. She won't eat or drink and she won't play or go out. Yesterday she was out all day with the family and last night she was fine- curled up on her bed when I went to sleep. What happened to her between last night and today?

-- Contributed by: Samantha

Hi Gerard,

I'm so sorry to hear about the accidents. You're certainly going to have your hands full with the recovering patients.

As for the behavior of a few of your other dogs, I suspect they smell a significant change in Scrunchy's biochemistry. Sometimes dogs will shun a sick dog in the pack if it doesn't smell quite "right" to them. Scrunchy may also retain some smell from the veterinary clinic, and this too could be putting the other dogs off a bit.

Right now, it's most important that Scrunchy has time to recooperate with as little stress as possible. If need be, keep him separated from the other dogs as much as possible, and do tell the other dogs to knock off the growling. They should be willing to follow your lead.

Best wishes that both dogs have a full recovery. Please let us know how things work out.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have six dogs, a mother and five 1 year old pups, last night whilst walking the mother, the pups managed to escape. Unfortunately, one of the dogs were hit by a car and then the same dog and another was hit by a van as well.

Thankfully, we got them to a vet and one came back this morning whilst the other is being cared for as cannot walk due to a fracture on his back.

Witnessing the accident was two other dogs, one who when I retrieved them to a safe place ran back home, the other one "Summer" stood guard and barked at anyone other than me obviously protecting me. The sixth dog who didn't see the accident is "Baby Gizmo" who with "Summer" have become very indifferent to "Scrunchy" the dog we brought home this morning. Scrunchy's heart has moved after the collision and is wheezing but is walking, eating, drinking etc.

Baby Gizmo who is very soft and affectionate stands growing at Scrunchy and is very uncomfortable around her, while Summer's hair stands up when she is near her.

These dogs have never been separated and run and play together with only fun play, there is a definite change in Baby Gizmo and Summer's personality, any ideas please?

Gerard

-- Contributed by: Gerard McGuirk

Hi Alex,

You're right to keep a closer eye on your dog at this time. A sudden personality change does sometimes indicate something is going on. That said, it doesn't guarantee anything is wrong with your Shih Tzu, so please don't worry too quickly. My advice is to continue observing her and watch for any other unusual physical symptoms. If you notice anything else or continue to have that feeling something is wrong, don't hesitate to take your dog in for a checkup. You know her better than anyone else, so trust your instincts.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 14 year old Shih Tzu and she has recently undergone a strange personality change. She used to hate to sit on the couch or in people's laps. She was also standoffish and would not show that much affection. A couple days ago she has become extra affectionate. She puts her paws up on the couch to sit and she wants to be near people. She does not whine or get upset when she isn't around people and her appetite has been normal. I am just worried of what brought about this change and what it might mean for her health.

-- Contributed by: Alex

Hi Adam,

I honestly can't say what is causing your dog's pain/sensitivity, but I think it's important that you share this information with your vet and have your dog examined for a possible illness or injury. Chihuahuas are actually very fragile, and succomb to health problems far quicker than many other breeds. It would be best to have your pet checked now to avoid a potentially larger problem.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your little Chi's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi my name is adam i have a chihuahua male resently hes been crying and yelping every time we come near him or touch him and its been unusual because some times one place you'll touch him and then another time he'll cry i dont know what to do i think its because he was dropped at an early age and he always had low sugar

-- Contributed by: adam c

Hi Joyce,

A change in behavior like this is certainly worth having your vet investigate. At 11, your dog may be experiencing some joint pain that makes her feel grumpy when touched. Since she has reached those senior years, it would be good to get a baseline on her health. There's also a chance that your dog is feeling like taking the dominant position in your relationship, only giving affection on her terms. So, you have to balance that with whatever her health problems might be and maintain your position with her or her behavior could worsen.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope things improve.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a problem with my 11 yr. old female Chow. She has always been a doll baby with me and I have never had a problem with her until about 2 weeks ago. I was brushing her tail and britches and she turned around and growled at me. This has happened before, but no big deal. Well, the next day I accidently stepped on her tail barefooted, and she started growling at me again. Granted, it probably hurt, but now every time I come around her to love or pet her she growls at me. This is not normal! At times, she will come up and love and rub her face on my legs, I'll reach down and start rubbing her and she'll start growling at me again. Help I don't know what to do.....any ideas.

-- Contributed by: Joyce

Hi Peggi,

Something about that sound may have triggered an unpleasant memory. I think with patience you will be able to regain your pet's trust. An abused pet never completely gets over the trauma caused by the abuse. Just remain consistent and loving toward her, and she should come to realize that you are not the person who caused her harm.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi, i have a 3 yr old adopted chi/terrier mix. she was abused, we believe. she has always been closest to me. one night i was eating a sucker and she suddenly jumped down because she did not like the sound it was making. now she will not sit on my lap and acts very nervous around. this is so atypical of her because she couldn't be away from me before.

-- Contributed by: PEGGI

Hi Christina,

There might be other issues involved here, but it basically sounds like this puppy is vying for a position of dominance over you. Enrolling the two of you in an obedience class together should take care of this issue, and the problem is truly correctable so don't give up. It also sounds as though the puppy doesn't completely trust you. I don't know which methods you use to discipline him, but dogs should never receive physical punishment, especially from the people they should be able to trust the most. I prefer to use the strong "No" command to stop the behavior, and then redirect the dog into another activity where I can praise him for being good.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello, I have a 5 month old blue heeler. Up until the last week he has been a very loving puppy. He would run and play, snuggle in my lap and sleep, etc. In the last 4-5 days he has growled at me when I go sit by him and he puts his ears back. In some instances he will even crawl in my lap and lay there while he is still growling. Today he got hurt (nothing big) playing in the yard and he came to me for comfort. While I have diciplined him, I have never beat him. He goes to work with my husband during the days, but he doesn't growl at him like he does me. I have always been there to comfort him and don't know why he is all of a sudden acting differently toward me. Any suggestions??

-- Contributed by: Christina

Hi Bretina,

It sounds like your dog was traumatized by the experience. She may not feel like she can trust your husband right now, but there is a way to fix this.

When a dog is acting frightened, you want to avoid giving sympathy and affection, because this only reinforces the behavior. The best thing to do is maintain a calm energy level, and go about your business naturally. Once your dog senses that you think everything is alright, she'll begin to believe it too. Your husband can offer her a treat like it's no big deal, and just leave it where she can reach it if she won't take it from him. Once she starts associating something good with him again, I'm sure the rift will heal.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things are back to normal soon.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a small dog. We recently put an electric fence around the perimeter of the yard to keep her from digging into the neighbors yard. We only turned it on to test it and she inadvertently touched the wire. We have not turned it on since. I think she blames my husband (her favorite person) because she will not have much to do with him now. She used to lay in his lap and lick him a lot and now she only wants me. She refuses to play with her toys when she is inside and likes to hide. She acts like she wants to go to my Husband but hesitates and backs away. What can we do about this. I feel like we somehow lost our dog. she used to be so energetic and ornery. Can you please help? Thank you

-- Contributed by: Bretina

Hi Jade,

My best suggestion is to begin by taking your dog to the vet. Sometimes a sudden and intense personality change such as this is often an outward sign of an undiagnosed medical condition. A physical examination might result in a diagnosis that could be followed with treatment to help your dog get back to normal. It would also give you the opportunity to discuss your dog's behavior with your vet, who might still have some insight for you even if this turns out to be a behavioral issue and not a physical one.

Thanks for your question, and please come back if you find you need more advice after the vet visit. I hope your pet will be her old self again very soon.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi My dog has been sulking in a room all on her own she has been doing this for the last two weeks she is a west highland terrir can anyone help ?

-- Contributed by: Jade Carter

We have a white Lab Sam he is 2 years old. My daughters dog Leroy has been with us for about one year he is older and has arthritis, but good company for Sam. Leroy is a Ridgeback. Sam is constantly lickin inside of Leroy's ear.. What the heck is that about? Thank you

Hi Sheila,

It sounds as though Sam has developed a compulsive behavior. The real problem with this is that it could irritate Leroy's ear. Take a look inside. Do you notice any redness? If so, it's time to address Sam's licking with your vet. I would also give Sam a firm "no" vocal command as soon as the licking begins. You've got to start letting him know he has to stop. Be consistent, and if he persists, give him a time out in another room to reinforce the training.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Sheila Barreras

My 14 month lurchur is due in season soon. She has been acting slow and drowsy. She can't hardly move sometimes. Can you help me?

Hi Steph,

I think your dog's condition sounds like more than the typical pre-heat cycle lethargy. The best advice I can give you is to let your vet examine your bitch. The vet will give her a hands on physical exam to look for an injury or joint problem the is causing the immobility. It may also be necessary to perform blood tests to confirm or rule other types of illnesses.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog will be okay.

-- Contributed by: Steph Harvey

I have an 18 month old Shih-tzu who has recently started showing aggression towards me. In fact she has bit me twice and broke the skin in the past month and a half. She has been through 3 different levels of obedience class and passed the CGC test. We moved out on our own 4 months ago. We had been living with and taking care of my grandmother. Could there be a medical issue going on here or would it still be adjustment to the move and I have to let her know that I am still the dominant one even in a new home.

Hi Cristy,

This is a tricky situation. By all means, let your vet examine your dog to determine whether the cause of her behavior is medical.

That said, you still need to maintain dominance over your dog in a fair but firm manner. My guess is that she is out of sorts from the move and is trying to figure out how things stand now. Of course, dogs settle things differently than people do, but biting cannot be tolerated.

As long as your vet hasn't ruled out mild physical exercise, I suggest you put her on lead for a short training reinforcement each day, putting her through the basic obedience commands. This puts her in a submissive role to your authority, yet it isn't a punishment to make her fear or distrust you. Go about it in a matter-of-fact manner. Praise her when she performs well. If she doesn't respond to a command, calmly lead her into it again to give her the opportunity to succeed. I'm hopeful that this will do the trick to re-eastablish proper order in your pack. If she offers to bite again, give her a firm "No" command. Walk away for a few moments to allow both of you to calm down, and follow up with another short session on lead.

I think if you are patient and consistent, you can regain control.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes with your situation.

-- Contributed by: Cristy

Hi! I need help! My retriever/lab has become aggressive towards me! WE have recently moved and although we have moved before and have never seen this kind of aggression from him, this time, he doesnt want anything to do with me! The only thing that has changed beside the move is my daughters boyfriend now lives with us, and my lab did stay with him for a couple weeks this past summer. Could he be confused on who is the dominant one? and if so why is he turning against only me? As soon as he hears my voice he starts to growl, his head and tail will go down,and will hide in a corner. I have tried using the leash to bring him near me and let him know that I am the dominant one but as soon as the leash is off, he becomes aggressive again! Please I need advise!

Hi Michelle,

More than a dominance issue, I think your dog's behavior may be related to some kind of trust issue, although I can't speculate what brought on the change. Forcing your dog to come near you with the leash isn't likely to help under these circumstances. Here's what I recommend. Take your dog to a completely new area where he's never been before, but one that's not too high traffic. Putting your dog in a situation like this causes him to depend on you a bit more. Make this a special one-on-one time with affection and treats involved, but no pressure to do anything in particular. Hopefully this will adjust your dog's attitude toward you and help the two of you rebuild the bond you once shared.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Michelle

My 3 1/2 year old Shar-Pei has recently started humping me. She is fixed and has never done this before. I am wondering why?? Every chance she gets she is either humping my leg, or when I am kneeling on the floor, she will put her front 2 paws on my back and start humping me.

Hi Chris,

This is either a belated hormonal issue or a dominance issue. Knowing Lhasas as well as I do, I'm betting on dominance. To assert your dominance as pack leader in a healthy way, I recommend the two of you take a basic obedience course together. This should set you up as the leader in your relationship and make your dog take you seriously when you correct her for the unwanted behavior.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Chris

I have a 1 and a half year old german sheperd that pinches people with his front teeth I talked with my wifes aunt who also owns 2 german sheperds that also pinch with the front teeth its not a full bite just with the front teeth if anyone could tell me why this is and how to fix it please?

Hi Tim,

This is basically a very mild display of dominance or possessiveness. I recommend that you gently, but firmly correct your dog each time your dog puts his teeth on you. Although the behavior doesn't seem problematic now, you certainly wouldn't want it to progess to actual nipping.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: timothy

Hi I have two dogs, one is the dominant one. Recently both of my dogs temperaments have changed, in the last 4 weeks. Any how the more dominant dog licks everything furniture, material, and constantly the other dog. He has also started licking himself more often. The quieter of the 2 had a sore mouth and I understand that dogs will lick to make it better, which it is now. But for some reason my smaller dog the dominant of the 2 keeps licking the quiet one, his face, his ear inside and out, his back his neck. My other dog doesn't seem to mind, he enjoys it. The dominant one also doesn't play rough anymore with his toys, we used to play tug o war now he just doesn't seem interested. He eats and is more obedient than he used to be, he is very highly strung and always has been, but seems more subdued recently. Both dogs are maltese x's. I just want to know why he constantly keeps licking is it a nervous problem. He's turning my other white dog brown with his saliva, his not dribbling and I have checked his teeth there fine He's nearly 3yrs could he just be changing the other dog is 3 1/2 yrs and very gentle. The older dog did have a go at another dog about 4 weeks ago when we were taking them out to the car to go to the park for a walk. Which was very unusual for him to do this. He always barks from the front door and the other dog barks back, could this be territorial as he never has shown any form of aggression before towards other dogs. Actually he usually walks very carefully around, unless he knows the animal. Would this also have an affect on the more dominant dog.

Hi Jane, I'd suggest consulting your veterinarian. You're describing major changes that are out of character for your dog. This could signal an undetected medical problem. The compulsive licking could also be related to a condition known as pica.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your vet is able to sort it all out.

-- Contributed by: jane

I have 2 dogs. One dog is maltese ...zu and he's 2 years old, just recently we got him groomed (clipped) by a professional dog groomer, but not our usual one. He is the dominant one of the two dogs. Since being groomed he constantly licks the other dog, all over almost non stop, and seems right out of sorts more nervous than usual. Our other dog is a maltese bichon who is 2 1/2 years and is the gentle of the two. He always does what he's told as in go to bed and come inside but he too was groomed at the same time and he's personality has changed. He wont go to bed when told I have to physically put him in bed, I even tried giving him treats, which he always loves but this isn't working now.He seems more timid than usual. It was recently new years eve and there were fire works which did frighten the dogs I tried to keep them calm, they are in side dogs and have gone through thunder and lightning before and come out ok. How do I get them back to normal.

Hi Jane,

It does sound as though both dogs have been through some sort of traumatic experience. Sudden personality changes usually indicate a problem.

I can't be sure of the cause, but it could well be a combination of the fireworks and the groomers that have set them off kilter.

Probably the greatest thing you can do for them is keep things on an even keel. If one dog won't go to bed when told, pick him up and carry him there with a cuddle along the way. Make the routine as normal and consistent as possible.

This is a long shot, but you may want to try a different groomer. Make sure the next shop does not use tranquilizers, and ask if you can hang around while the dogs are groomed. This may give you some more clues as to what caused the upset.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things are back to normal soon.

-- Contributed by: jane

Hi,

I currently have 2 adult boxers. Tucker is about 4 years old and we have had him for 1.5 years and Mason is 3.5 years old and we have had him for alittle over a month. Before we got Mason, I would walk Tucker. We would talk with the neighbors and all the neighborhood child would stop and play with Tucker. Since getting Mason we have not gone on many walks. I have not been daring enough to walk both dogs myself. Yesterday was the second time walking both dogs. Each dog had his own leash. As we were a couple of houses away from our our, our neighbor came out to say hello. He asked to pet both dogs and he did. He was petting both dogs for about a minute and Tucker jumped and tried biting the guy in the face. I reacted quickly and pulled him back and the man did not get bit. It took me a minute to get Tucker settled, but he eventually sat. The man did nothing to provoke this to happen. About ten minutes later, the man tried petting Tucker again. Tucker let him pet him again, but then tried nipping at his hand. Then today I tried walking both dogs again. Another neighbor came out to say hello. I warned the neighbor of Tucker's behaviour. He let Tucker smell his hand and Tucker again tried nipping at this guy's hand. What is going on??? This is VERY uncharactertic of Tucker. We have had numerous people at our house since getting Mason and both dogs have been fine. They get along very well. Please help me. I am very concerned about this behavior. I really do not want him to bite anyone. I am making a vet apt. tomorrow to rule out any health issues. What od you think is going on???

Thank you for your help

Hi Dori,

I'm glad you made the appointment with the vet. This may not be a physical problem, but you won't know that for sure until the vet gives him a clean bill of health.

How do the dogs get along together at home? Is there a chance that Tucker is becoming overly protective of his new friend? He may feel a bit more stressed out in the neighborhood than he does on home turf, hence the biting.

Whatever the cause turns out to be, you did the right thing to immediately put him in a submissive posture. This at least sends the message that the behavior won't be tolerated.

If need be, you can call in a canine behaviorist to observe your dog in action and look for clues as to what is promoting the biting. You can usually find these professionals in your local phone directory.

Best wishes for a happy outcome.

-- Contributed by: Dori

Hi, My fun loving 5 yr old bichon/...zu has had a very sudden personality change. We notice his behavior change one day when his bed was moved, for one night, from our bedroom to the kids room. Since that day he has been acting weird. Spending alot of time in his bed. Not allowing anyone to touch it. He has now been in the bed for two day, only coming our to go for a walk. When we arrive back home he runs back to the room and lays in the bed. Please help. We are concerned that this sudden change in personality can be something serious....he seems to be really upset with us. Not spending any time around us. thanks

Hi Joanne,

It does sound like your dog is very attached to his bed, and the relocation freaked him out. I would suggest offering distractions throughout the day that require him to gradually spend more time away from the bed. You could offer his favorite treats in a different location, and take him on extra walks to take his mind off his current obsession.

It might also be a good idea to schedule a checkup with your vet. Your dog might have an undiagnosed health problem that drives him to cling to the security of his bed all the more. It would be good to rule this out so you know exactly what you're dealing with.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the situation resolves itself soon.

-- Contributed by: Joanne

I have a five year old Lhaso/sheepdog mix female who is the sweetest dog I have evern owned. In the past four days she has had a complete personality change. She wants to hide from us outside in the bushes, behind the building, etc. and does not want to come in the house. She does want to go for rides. She still has a good appetite and still loving, but once outside she seems afraid to come in. She has never before enjoyed being outside for any length of time unless someone is out there with her. She has some problems with her hips and is presently on rimadyl. Although I do not give this to her daily I have had to give it to her this week. Could this be a reaction to the medicine? Linda

Expert Reply

Hi Linda,

If you've given your dog rimadyl in the past without your dog having a reaction, she probably isn't having one now.

Perhaps she is experiencing greater pain in her hips than she used to. Does she have to walk up any steps to get back into the house? Going up actually puts a bit more stress on the joints than going down because your dog has to hoist her own weight.

Is there also any chance that something happened to her when coming back into the house one day? Perhaps she slipped on the stairs and fears them now?

Whatever the reason for her sudden odd behavior, it wouldn't hurt to run the situation by your vet. If there is a chance the rimadyl is in any way responsible for the behavior, your vet will probably be able to tell you about it.

In the meantime, try to make coming back inside a truly pleasant experience for your pet. Instead of asking her to come inside on her own, join her out in the yard with one of her favorite treats in hand. Call her to you and offer the treat. You should then be able to pick her up and carry her inside, giving her cuddles and praise as you go. I think this will help her to get over whatever is bothering her, and eventually get back to normal.

-- Contributed by: Linda Shaw
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