He used to come in the house to visit with me and wag his tail. This afternoon, I fed him a bite of an ice cream sandwich and he was all happy to see me and an hour later, I said "hey, butch", he looked at me like if I got any closer he would bite me. His tail was down and he just had that look.
A couple of weeks ago, he was lying on the floor in front of the doorway, and I rubbed his back with my socked foot gently and he growled and snapped at me and I just assumed I rubbed something that hurt him. Now I am beginning to wonder if he has dementia. What is going on with the dog?
This dog really loved me a couple of weeks ago and now something is up.
2007-04-05 17:40:14 · 1 answers · asked by happydawg 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
That sort of thing can happen with older dogs. Their eyesight and everything can begin to fail and they won't always recognise someone, even if they know them really well.
It could be something like dementia, so mention it to his owner in case he snaps at anyone else, but if he's an otherwise happy dog, let him get on with it. He's an old boy, so he's got an excuse... people have off-days too. Sometimes if you just call him before you go and stroke him or anything to give him a chance to realise who you are, that can help.
On the other hand, perhaps suggest your friend takes him to the vet, just to get him checked out and make sure there aren't any health problems making him behave like that.
2007-04-05 21:58:57 · answer #1 · answered by talyn_diablo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋