My dog acts strange , whats wrong with her?

Question

Hi Guys, my husband and I have a 3yr female Labrador. We got her when she just turned 8 weeks and since that day I am with her almost 24/7.
Lately she reacts a little different and we were wondering if she is ok.
She wont eat alone anymore, I have to stand with her in the kitchen and then she starts eating. As soon as I leave she stops eating. When I giver her a treat she doesnt eat it until I say " Go eat it", then she runs on her pillow and waits until I enter the room.
Once I stay with her she eats her treat. At night time she always has to lay right on top of me (which is not the easiest cause she has 80lb) or so close to me that she almost pushes out of bed. She always has to have some kind of body contact to me whether its a paw or her head on my knee, her back right beside my back etc. She never used to do that before, so we are wondering whats wrong with her. And she does it only to me, not to my hubby. Any ideas?

Hi Tony, no we didnt pampered her to much. She always acted normal until a couple of months ago.

I was in the hospital for a couple of weeks, could that be the reason? Like I said, she isnt spoiled at all. She always acted like a normal dog..lol..yeah normal labby ;-) eating everything she could get her teeth on etc.

The reason why I was in the hospital was for testing in regards to Hodgkins disease, which is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The tests I had to undergo didnt came back 100% positive or negative, so further testing is required. So my dog could act this way cause she knows whats wrong with me?

Answer 1

I think she has picked up on your anxiety. Going into hospital for checks (especially for cancer, which is extra worrying) is always a stressful time for the whole family, and the dog has picked up on the stress. Unfortunately, she also has had you to herself, as you said, 24/7. She is now a bit stressed/worried, and you need to be very positive...for her, and for yourself. I don't know your house arrangements, as regards to where the dog is fed, but if you could put her food down, and then stand a distance away, where she can see you, but you are not in the kitchen with her. I agree with Ricki that you need to pick the food up....I would give a maximum of 10 minutes personally....all of my dogs eat their meals within two minutes, so 10mins is a long time. Gradually increase the distance you go, until she knows you are there but out of sight. That way, she can get back to eating normally. If she doesn't want to eat the treat, just take it away. (You have to be just quite blase about it....."Oh, well, if you don't want it.." and just pick it up. And at 80 lbs she could lost some weight anyway.) I would also ask for a behaviour before she gets any treats, such as Sit, Down, Wait, whatever....then she is not getting treats for nothing. This will also condition her to you being positive, and teaching her to do something when you ask.....not you doing what she asks, which is what the touching is about. As for the always touching you, I would be a little firm with this as well. (She needs to know that all is well, and by allowing the touching, you are reinforcing her fears.) Ask her to lay on the floor beside you. Again, she knows you are there........she doesn't need the touching. When *you* want to pet her, then call her to you, but don't allow her to demand attention. In this way you are teaching the dog, not only to obey simple commands, but you are also teaching her to be a bit more independent of you. I hope that all makes sense? I had a cancer scare not so long ago, so I know what it's like. I was very fortunate in that I had friends sending me Reiki and positive thoughts, so I was quite positive throughout......but you can't help those negative thoughts creeping in. I'm thinking of you, and sending positive thoughts for you. I sincerely hope it works out okay for you. Be positive for yourself, and for your dog. She needs you to be positive for her. I wish you all the best.

Answer 2

It sounds like your girl has gotten a bit spoiled and has learned to demand your attention and she won't eat or enjoy treats unless you are right there with her.
Have you seen the new show on Animal planet called, "It's me or the dog?" If you can, this would be a great show for you to watch and the dogs on it often exhibit the same behaviors as your girl. You can learn some simple training techniques that will help your dog learn her role in the family and will help her feel less insecure about not being with you. She sounds like a really great dog and you have a very loving home. So it sounds like behavior issues, not so much health related problems. Of course, you can always check in with your vet if you are concerned about her, but try some of the training techniques the show offers, or try a local trainer to assist you. She should be back to her old self before you know it.
Best of luck!

Answer 3

Interesting. You say you were in the hospital?

I've read articles where pets acted like this towards owners and it was later determined that the owner had some kind of health anomaly; cancer, etc..

I'd hate to think that this is the case, though, as you just got out of the hospital and that kind of thing isn't exactly under their radar. It might be worthwhile to just check this avenue in case there is something (though it is a bit of a stretch) to it.

Otherwise, I'd say that your dog has somehow become dependent on you. If that is the case, you can talk to a vet about behavior modification techniques that will help you in weening your pet from such a dependence.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

if your worried it might be her health take her to the vets just to make sure but from your saying it sounds like she doing just for the attention. next time you feed her and walk away and she stops eating dont go back to her as your doing just what she wants you to do instead leave the bowl there for 15 to 20 minutes and if she still wont eat then just take it away and try again later. eventually she will eat because she had to get hungry sometime being a 80lb lab. she just seems to want your attention all the time. i know its hard but if you dont respond to these kinds of things like patting her when she paws you then she will eventually stop doing it reward her with praise when she does the right thing or the things ou want her to do. good luck!

Answer 5

she adores you and See's you as her other half y ?? you spoil her rotten don't you. personally I think you have made a mistake but my aunt will tell you it's just how to love your lab..... they are the biggest sooks.. ..dose she bark and get excited when someone else is in the house and dose she grab you by the arm with her jaws and try to drag you away.. she is soul connected with you and totally depends on you, you do have to be extremely care full with these dogs as they are prone to have complications like cancer and arthritis through being over weight my aunt couldn't have children and loved her dogs to death but the sad thing is she did exactly that, loved them to death!, she can't handle the pain of loosing anymore loved ones so she has vowed not to get another dog..maybe taking her for a health check up at a vet would be a good Idea and take the vets advice...good luck..

Answer 6

Well you are really not gonna wanna hear this, your dog is dominating you. Affection is great but if your dof lays on you and pushes you out of bed, he doesn't see you as her leader, and dogs are pack animals and need strong leaders to help them be better dogs. Keep this in mind, cuz I know you are saying that I am not right, and you want her to snuggle with you. And I know you are worried. But she weights 80 lbs, and I assume she is not losing weight, and when you look at her you can just make on her rib cage, and you have taking her to the Vet. and she is healthy. But the biggest sign is that she doesn't act these way with anyone but you. Maybe she senses you worry over you possible declining health and is stepping in the alpha male role. Good luck!!!

Answer 7

she is just acting posessive and protective i had the same problem with my dog although he's real small but i just got used to it at night when she's on ur bed pick her up and put her on the floor and command "stay" and do this everynight untill she gets the idea every once in a while go for a walk without her she needs to get the idea that you don't need her as much as she needs you GL

Answer 8

That's all typical of separation anxiety. She's trying to be very good and not let you out of her sight so you won't disappear again. Give her plenty of attention and she'll eventually realize you're staying. Also, don't let her get away with pushing you out of the bed. She can sleep at the foot of your bed or in the doorway of the bedroom. Perhaps put her bed there and encourage her to sleep on it and reprimand her for smothering you.

Answer 9

So the dog must have been 'trained' or conditioned unintentionally to rely on you to do everything some how. Either try finding someone who knows how to deal with 'dog' problems or look online I guess. There's gotta be some way to fix that.

Your dog learned that behavior and there must be way for your dog to learn new behavior.

May be see what she'll do at places like doggy day care. Away from you.

Answer 10

He needs to be taken to the vet. He could have ear mites or an ear infection, and as a result, he may be hearing "phantom sounds" that are causing some of his strange behavior. Your vet can make a diagnosis and teach you how to apply meds and flush the ear canal. (The canine ear canal is not like yours, and there is something to learn.) Hydrogen peroxide will NOT solve either problem!