2006-07-29 01:16:31 · 13 answers · asked by Barb M 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
When is he biting?? and who is he biting?? If its during play time or petting maybe its because he's hurting somewhere and its his only way of telling you that he is. Is it just one person that he is biting? Someone new? But my best guess is he's hurting - how is his walking and do you find him resting more? I'd ask the vet to give him a check up if I was you.
2006-07-29 01:25:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like Risa said, any sudden change like that is almost always a medical problem. He could be in pain, as the other answerers have said or, as a senior dog, he could be experiencing dementia or some other problem. When he's biting is a big clue to the cause, so make sure to take note of that to tell the vet. Regardless of the reason, the vet can help you treat it, so you need to get him to the vet. In the meantime, take precautions so that he doesn't injure someone.
2006-07-29 02:07:43 · answer #2 · answered by Sweetseraph 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be that he is in some kind of pain, or that he is at the age that he don't want to be bothered. Our lab was gentle his whole life, as he got older, he got ornery, not in pain. He lived threw two strokes that paralyzed over half his face. The vet says he is in no pain. He is blind in one eye, and has vision loss in the other, and is deaf in one ear. His face has slanted slightly effecting his eating, where we had to change his food but other wise, healthy. He goes to the vet more often then most dogs, every 4-6months, to make sure that he is not developing any problems. He tends to bite his lip, rub harder, or itch harder then he should and causes soars, and needs to be watched. He still loves to play, and go for walks, but now that he is older, he decided when he is done, and will get irritated and will attempt to bite when he wants to be left alone.
2006-07-29 03:54:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Your dog might have arthritis. Remember, he is getting old now, and is probably not as energetic as he was as a young dog. My spaniel of 13 years had the same problem, he was very loving and gentle until he reached the age of about 10 years. My advice is to take the dog to the vet for an examination, and perhaps get vitamins for him.
2006-07-29 01:27:57 · answer #4 · answered by kittykins 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just like humans, dogs get cranky in their old age. When my parents dog got to be around 10 yrs old, she started nipping at use. All she wanted to do was eat and sleep. If SHE felt like being petted, SHE would come to u. There could also be a medical problem. Again, just like humans, dogs can develop medical problems the older they get. Not to scare u, but a tumor in the brain can alter a dogs behavior. U may want to have him checked by u'r vet. Good Luck.
2006-07-29 03:44:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to have a dog that was gentle, but when he started getting older he wanted to bite. He had some medical problems that came along with his age. He was sore all the time so it made him grumpy.
2006-07-29 02:00:06 · answer #6 · answered by aae87 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is he biting when touched? If so, maybe the touch is causing pain. At 11 he's pretty old and maybe a little on the grouchy side. He could also have arthritis.
I'd take him to the vet to get checked out. You need to know if he's in pain and control it if he is.
2006-07-29 01:24:47 · answer #7 · answered by Lucianna 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A sudden change in behavior is usually a medical problem. Don't try to second guess the situation. See your vet before the behavior worsens. Good Luck.
2006-07-29 01:49:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Possibly pain..ears or teeth , or arthritis or similar, take him to a vet.
He is probably irritated.Watch the children around him, especially by his food.
2006-07-29 01:22:35 · answer #9 · answered by Featherman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like he is not feeling well. maybe hurting or going blind take the dog to the vet.
2006-07-29 01:20:37 · answer #10 · answered by okfy9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋