What is going on with my old dog?

Question

Jawsie is a 10 year old collie/chow mix, super friendly. Loves going bye-bye, owns 2 cats, very very social. She has always been super attached to my husband. She has all her medical stuff and grooming done and is played with and exercised regularly.

Recently she has begin to climb up on my lap frequently (she's 70 pounds). She just wants to cuddle but acts like she is sad. She has never been a bed sleeper, but lately wants to climb on the bed and stay real close. She also will stand in front of me to try to make eye contact, turning her head side to side and looking so sad. Right now she is up tight against my feet while I am on the computer.

Any dog whisperers out there? Seriously, what is up with my old dog?

Answer 1

Dogs are like people, that's why we get along so well with them. Sometimes they just feel blue or needy or sick and they express it the best way they can.

Now, it's true that I've had dogs (and cats) who started acting like this when they were in their "end days", but I've also had young healthy pets who did the same thing so don't go fearing the worst. If the vet has given your dog a clean bill of health, then it could just be that your dog is really, really attached to you, and that this recent extra-clinginess was triggered by something you've overlooked. A scary storm, being left out in the back yard too long, being scolded for something--anything like one of these could have thrown your dog into a funk, and it may take a while for her to get through it.

Answer 2

Check the ears. I have seen a couple cases where the owners said that the dog was just not acting right, needed attention constantly, wouldn't leave the owner's side. It turned out to be very bad ear infections. Also, fleas can cause weird behavior in an adult pet that has never experienced a flea infestation before.

Make an appointment with your veterinarian!

Answer 3

Many dogs and cats will tend to get much more affectionate in older age. This has been true with both my dog and my cat. My philosophy on this has been to give them all the attention that they want / need. Your dog is an old lady after all, nearly 70 in people years. She also could be showing sensetivity to any change that has happened or that she can sense is going to happen, or she could have a health problem that she knows about and doesn't want to share with you... check with your vet regarding this. Good luck and give her lots of loves!

Answer 4

You said that she is usually your husbands dog, but lately has been clingy to you?
Exactly how have you been feeling?
My mothers dog is 7 and has been acting strange. One night my mom fainted in the bathroom, we called an doctor after her episode and had her go in. The doctor said she had some tumor in her stomach. easy to remove. Now my mom feels fine, the dog in normal, everything is good.
Check with yourself, service dogs can detect illness and etc, it can be assumed your dog can too. (I don't mean to scare you, it is very possible that i am wrong.)

Now if this is for sure not a possibility I would check up with your dogs habits.
How is the stress level at home?
Has she been eating the same?
How would you rate her health?
Has anything changed recently that you have noticed?
http://dogs.about.com/cs/disableddogs/a/depression.htm
http://www.seefido.com/dog-behavior/html/dog_depression_.html

You may want to seek vet help, it is possible she is sick and has not been feeling herself.
Best of luck.

Tierney

Edit:
Also, i forgot to mention that your dog may be deaf. She is clinging to you because she may be nervous to be alone, turning her head sideway so she can hear better/fails to understand and wont let you out of her sight because she wont be able to hear you. I have owned 2 deaf dogs. These are the symptoms one has shown. http://www.bobmckee.com/Client%20Info/Ear/Deafness.html

Goodluck

Answer 5

Has she been eating normally and everything else. I would ask your vet if they might know what is wrong. Is there a lot of stress in the house like some one leaving (kid going off to college) or a new arrival? If so she might just be wanting to make sure she isnt replaced or going to be left. I like how she owns 2 cats. My dog raised two "puppies" (her cats). I hope she is okay and you figure out what is wrong. good luck

Answer 6

has anything changed in your household? New children, guests, talk of moving/leaving on a trip? Sounds like she is close to you now for some reason. Perhaps a trip to the vet for an exam as she could be experiencing pain and wants to be close to you to make it "better." This could be the case if when she gets near you pet/stroke her and it soothes her. Cold weather could be arthritis and she needs Rimadyl or a similar product. good luck!

Answer 7

Mine is doing something similar, the vet thinks its the beginning of Alzheimer's.There is medication for nervousness in a dog. I wish you both the best.

Answer 8

at the start your older canines somewhat probably would not care. yet from a human stand factor it somewhat is demanding as hell. I hate it myself. i got here across that bitter end spray is the answer to very almost something. while he humps walk over and spray some in his mouth, its nasty and he wont like it. Do it each and every time and he would desire to lead to a pair of days. you may %. it up at very almost any puppy shop. basically ask for it via call or seek for sprays used to maintain canines from chewing on issues.

Answer 9

How old is your dog, exactly. Maybe she is just getting "senile" and she needs reassurance! Could it be possible that she knows she is dying? My dog knew....she was a faithful dog for 15 years, but ran away from us towards the end.

Answer 10

Maybe something is going on with her. It kind of sounds like she's depressed. Have you talked with your vet. Did something happen in your house. Just let her cuddle and make her feel comfortable.