He just slides down to lay down position. Also he limps about once a month due to his right or left front leg bothering him. I grab him and squeeze and no signs of discomfort. He is 3 years old and weighs 90lbs-eating normal. Recently started house sitting an 8 week old female chocolate lab and also have 1.5 year old crazy female black lab. Not sure if the pup has had shots. Any ideas? Thanks
2007-02-16 03:55:02 · 7 answers · asked by Todd T 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Sounds like he needs a trip to the vet. Could be arthritis; could be hip dysplasia; could be something with his spine.
2007-02-16 04:02:42 · answer #1 · answered by melissa k 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would see the vet about the limp issue. They may want to do an x-ray to see if they can determine a cause for it.
As for the sit, assuming the legs are not an issue, this is just a matter of training your dog. When first beginning in the basic things, it was not uncommon for my puppy to confuse signals and commands, or to "anticipate" the next move (i.e. sit, then to a down). Work on the sit first. Do it repeatedly 10 times and always use the same command and/or hand signal. You need to be consistant here so as not to confuse your dog as to what you expect. Once you have that established, then work the down separately, from a variety of positions (i.e. from standing and sitting, mix it up often so the dog won't "anticipate").
It's important to mix up commands for your dog so they won't anticipate the next move. It's not uncommon for people to teach sit and then take their dog straight into a down from that position. The dog becomes accustomed to this and then when the owner tries to down from a stand or sit from a down, the dog doesn't understand because they've not done this before.
2007-02-16 12:03:27 · answer #2 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hip and elbow displasia is common in Labs. Unless he is a very big lab, it seems that he is a little bit over weight which could be putting extra strain on his joints. As for the limping, it is unusual because he shouldn't be growing anymore. I think that it is a sign of elbow displasia. The sitting problem could be either a training thing, or a sign of joint problems. I doubt it is arthritis. I would say that a definate trip to the vet is needed. It would probably be a little expensive. They would need to take x-rays. And maybe surgery. Take him to the vet! Good Luck!
2007-02-16 12:17:13 · answer #3 · answered by Dani 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I tell my yellow lab puppy to sit, sometimes he just goes down in the lay position automatically - thinking he's going to get the treat or whatever I have in my hand since the usual routine is sit and laydown. He cuts out the middle part. It's no wonder that my fiance decided that his name had to be Chunk.
I'm not sure about the puppy shots though. Sorry.
2007-02-16 21:26:59 · answer #4 · answered by Jamie316 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he is limping, that is a sign that something is wrong. Even when you grab it and no signs of discomfort or pain doesnt mean that there isn't something deeper in a joint. Also, 90lbs is a big dog, and bigger dogs do tend to have more problems with joints.
2007-02-16 12:10:23 · answer #5 · answered by ragbagz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he he he have fun with the chocolate hehehehehe they dont get there brain cells til at least 5 yrs old he he he he he
other labs 2 yrs before they get brain cells
the yellow take to a vet but do not forget it has been extremely cold out
2007-02-16 12:06:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's odd. could it be he wants more attention? if you have other dogs in the house he could be getting jealous and faking an injury to get you to pay attention to him.
my dog does the whole limping thing everyonce and a while and i think she does it just for attention.
call up your vet office and ask about the sliding down and limping thing. see if they think its worth going in and having it checked out.
2007-02-16 12:03:05 · answer #7 · answered by airie53 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋