I don't know how else to phrase it. My 9 year old Retriever was acting funny one day, like panting heavily and looking like he was smiling. The next day, he was in the basement and barking at 4 am and wouldn't come up the stairs. I had to convince him to come up and then he slunk down like he was bad or scared. He wouldn't follow me and seemed so frightened. Then, later, he destroyed some of the house while I was at work.
It's like separation anxiety but why would it come on all of the sudden?
And please don't just reply "See a vet". Not only do I plan to do that, I'm looking for answers from someone who is knoweldgeable and cares about dogs.
2007-02-09 09:31:08 · 9 answers · asked by Kiss My Shaz 7 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Dogs can get a form of senility when they age, called cognitive dysfunction syndrome. It's a progressive disease and one of the symptoms is a dog who seems to be lost in the house or in a familiar yard, doesn't recognize people he knows, etc. There is a drug your vet can prescribe which improves the symptoms, hence your dog's quality of life. So, there's hope, the vet can help your dog cope.
2007-02-09 11:07:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a chocolate lab that had a character change late in her life. She was an extremely well trained and very well behaved dog until she got to be about 11 or 12. She then became destructive to the house and would snatch things off of the kitchen counter like chocolate cake or coffee, still in their containers, and tear into them and eat them. There wasn't really anything that we could do. She just want senile in a bad way. Good luck. I wish I really had a good answer for you. I hope that the vet can be more helpful.
2007-02-09 09:39:34 · answer #2 · answered by Jazz Lady 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's possible that he had a mini-stroke. Your vet will probably do blood tests to rule out diseases. I've had this happen in very elderly dogs, it would be Alzheimer's disease in a human. But that comes on gradually, not a sudden onset.
I wish you good luck at the vet's, and hope it is just some minor problem.
2007-02-09 09:44:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your dog is now a teenager and is seeing exactly what he can get away with. Keep him on a long lead during recall exercises. Give him the Come command and if he does not come to you right away MAKE him come to you. Praise heavily the moment he starts moving towards you, but you have got to make it clear that obeying you is not optional, it is mandatory. Only use the command once before tugging on the lead to bring him to you or you will be teaching your dog that he can ignore you.
2016-05-24 02:42:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs with the sudden onset of strange behavior are likely to have had a stroke (i.e. "brain attack"). Just like in people, personality changes, increased fear, destructiveness, changes in eating/drinking habits, and changes in toileting can all be signs.
Good luck with the vet, and so sorry about your dog!
2007-02-09 09:40:09 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dogs can have small strokes just like people which can drastically change their personalities. There can be other medical explanations like brain tumors or hopefully something much less drastic. I would definitely see the vet to confirm nothing serious.
2007-02-09 09:37:45 · answer #6 · answered by kk 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to pawpersuasion.com you will find some answers there
2007-02-09 09:36:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes they can
2007-02-09 09:49:27 · answer #8 · answered by JoshR 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats possible....
2007-02-09 09:44:24 · answer #9 · answered by ****** * 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋