Skip to content

Strange Behavior need help

Behavioral Issues
  • Hello all, I am proudly owned by Jamie. She is a 6 1/2 little lady who I have had very little problems with. Let me start by giving a little history. I got her when I was single. She was my first dog. She lived with me, my roomate, and his white boxer. The two got along great. She slept in the bed with me curled up at my feet for about 2 years. Then along came another woman (wife) into my life. I started letting her sleep in her crate at night with a little protest from her but she got used to it. It has been that way for almost 4 years now. (Been married 2 1/2) When its time for bed I tell her in a goofy voice to "Go get in your bed." She would stand and scratch at the door until I let her in. She would not make a sound until the morning. At times I really had to coerce her out to go potty in the morning. I cover the crate with a blanket to keep the ceiling fan from blowing on her and make it a nice, dark, place for her to sleep. This has been the sleeping arrangement since around March of 2005 with no issue…

    UNTIL NOW!!

    For about the last 2 weeks her attitude has gone down the toilet. She is really restless, more snippy/growly than usual and will whine and cry when she goes into her crate(she does not go as readily). It almost like someone has flipped a switch and changed her attitude. My question to the pros: 1)Could there be something physically wrong with her causing her discomfort?
    2)Is her temprament changing as she is getting older?
    3)Is she just trying to "test the pecking order" in our house?

    I love the little dog but she is really trying my sanity right now. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    Joel and Jamie

  • I would have her her checked out by a vet. Having a sudden change in behavior like this can be a sign of something phisically wrong.
    Is their any other behavior that has changed recently? Has their been a change in Water/Food consumption? Are their any other changes to your house (Pets,people,schedules)? any of these should also be taken into account. I had a terrier that was sweet as can be untill about 8 when he got a pinched nerve. He started getting very aggresive and shy. He was fine once the vet diagnosed him and he had some pain management.

  • Hypothyroidism can manifest as behavorial changes. I would have the vet do a check up and run a full thyroid panel.

  • In particular you should have her Thyroid checked and that means the full panel that is set out to only a handful of labs, not just the T-4 that is included with normal blood work. Sometimes you really have to "insist" to your Vet that you want it done.

  • Looks like lvoss and I were typing at the same time…gggg

  • Thank you for the replies! I have not noticed any change in her diet or water consumption. She has had full anal glands on more than 1 occasion and was "scootching" the day I noticed the dislike of her crate. We were using Vectra 3D on both of our dogs until I noticed that she would "scootch" and have frequest bowel movements. They are both back on frontline and she does not scootch anymore but she seems really restless and will not settle oin her crate. My schedule has changed a little, but I didnt think enough for her to manifest this behavior. Thanks for all your help so far, Ill look a little more into Hypothyroidism. Are there any other signs or symptoms that she would be showing??

    Joel

  • I would also pump up her exercise…make your walkies longer and more frequent.
    A tired b' is a happy b.

3/7

28 May 2008, 19:03

Suggested Topics

  • strange behavior

    Behavioral Issues 21 Oct 2016, 18:22
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    First, yeah they do the flip and butt in face. I see it as invitation to play/chase mostly. Kind of shaking my head here over the rest. You already have a breed known for dominance and protectiveness of property/family with the Boerboel. Basenjis (I assume you mean 6.5 not 65 years old :) ) are not known for tolerating same sex. Sometimes they do, but not a sure bet. Plus, your Boerboel is still a puppy. By age 2 or 3, that compliance with the Basenji being alpha can go down the drain at a drop of a hat. That happens, and he hasn't killed the basenji... you have to keep 2 packs running, ensuring they never have contact. Then you bring in a mixed breed... which is all a Mastador is. No way on earth to know how much it will take after the lab side or the Mastiff. AND it's another male. So now you have potentially 3 dog aggressive male dogs, with 2 of them large enough to inhale the basenji. I am not sure about the breeders who placed the Boerboel, certainly not the owners letting you bring in the Mastador. I want my male dogs to have a chance of a peaceful, unstressful life. I think the chances in your home are already approaching really low numbers, and the Mastador is going to bring that closer to zero. The safety of that poor basenji is beyond precarious. I wouldn't want those 3 males in the most experienced of homes, one already fully ready to and experienced in running separate packs. I sincerely hope you reconsider the Mastador. And no, getting a female won't help. Until the Boerboel is fully mature and you have a handle on what your pack is, adding any dog is going to up the risk of issues.
  • 0 Votes
    14 Posts
    12k Views
    @Micmayhall Michelle, potty training when you aren't home all day is hard for anyone. Options include restrict to a safe room with a large pan with potty papers so the pup doesn't have to go in crate or places you do not have made easy to clean. Since they can only go about an hour per month without wanting to go, it's pretty hard up to about 5 mos if no one is home. http://www.clickerlessons.com/housetraining.htm
  • Help!

    Behavioral Issues 28 Jan 2012, 03:31
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    5k Views
    Kipawa went through a rambunctious stage at 13 months - he didn't do anything bad, but he seemed to be 'testing' who the boss was. He was reminded, consistently. (Grin) At 15 months he started to show very nice maturation qualities and a complete understanding of his place in our family pack. Be patient, be consistent, give him lots of exercise and really praise him when he is good.
  • Help

    Behavioral Issues 30 Jun 2011, 20:54
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    4k Views
    Do let us know what you found out from the vets.
  • 0 Votes
    19 Posts
    5k Views
    I am finding out quickly that if things are too quiet I better go find Bella. Most of the time she is asleep but there are those times that my tennis shoes or sandals are now becoming just chew toys. Upsetting but funny too. Kind of like my 2 year old grandson's antics.
  • 0 Votes
    18 Posts
    7k Views
    How is the crate training with Ripley going? It's been awhile since we've heard any progress.