Dog acting strangely

[linazelle]

Five year old golden has been slowing down when I walk her for about the past month. She loves to walk and chase squirrels, and I can hardly put her leash on when it's time to go out she jumps up and down so much.

We walk an hour every day, through the woods, etc. At first, where the path nears entry into the woods she would stop--and where she usually is pulling me, I was pulling her from behind. She looks behind her, like she wants to turn around. Initially, I thought hmmmm this may be like one of those shows where the dog saves the master--maybe there's and axe murderer in the bushes or something--and I go home. That was at first, but I must get my exercise in. And each day for about the past month, she's stopped sooner and sooner, she look at me, then looks back. Today, she stopped about ten minutes into the walk.

I took her to the vet and he did blood tests which are negative for heartworm, etc. Her appetite is fine. At home, she just lays around, not exactly Ms. excitement but that's nothing new.

When we head back home, or to the car, she's fine. She pulls me again, leading the way. She chases squirrels on the way, etc. So it's not an energy thing. And it's not been THAT hot lately.

I'm perplexed. Maybe I should get X-Rays and see if there are joint problems or something.

Anybody got a clue about this?

[roguevalley]

1. I don't know. More information from the vet might help. It could be

that she feels uncomfortable going for walks away from the familiar. Some dogs get that way.

[RebelOne]

2. How old is she? Maybe she has arthritis

and it hurts her to walk.

[radfringe]

3. could be arthritis

if it doesn't clear up in a couple of days. our dogs have been "low energy" due to the heat

our airdale (9yrs old) has a bit of arthritis. we give her 1 baby asprin when she's having some problems getting up and moving about - it helps.

another thought - there could be something she's smelling that she doesn't like. we live in a rural area, there are woods all behind us, and we do get an occassional bear walking through the area or down the road and through back yards. last year we had a bear take a "dump" in our yard and our dogs wouldn't go near that section for weeks - even after we cleaned it up....

[auburngrad82]

4. Have you had her heart checked?

Big dogs can have problems with congestive heart failure. Five years is a bit young but better safe than sorry.

[ernstbass]

5. 2 of my dogs are very lethargic in the heat

especially one with kidney damage. Have you tried walking the dog on another route, maybe not in the woods? Keep us posted please.

[linazelle]

6. Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll go for X-Rays to check

for arthritis and anything else like heart problems.

We went again today and each day since I posted and she's doing the same thing.

It's weird. I tried a new path yesterday and she still stopped behind me and looked like she wanted to turn around. As we head home, she practically gallops. Maybe she's just become a homebody.

I'll let you know if I find out anything from the vet.

[SiouxJ]

7. I had an old dog who did the same thing

he used to LOVE his walks and then one day started turning around, almost as soon as we got out on the street. I finally figured out that as much as he wanted to go, his poor old body couldn't take it. I started just letting him stroll around in the front yard a few times a day, instead of going on the walk. We didn't go far from home, but we still had the routine of getting out the leash etc., so he got that little bit of excitement to break up his day. It's sad when they get old. You want them to run and play like they used to. Found out later that Rocky had arthritis and treated it, but his days of long walks were over. He lived for about 3 years after he quit walking and was pretty healthy and happy, up until about the last year, when he was pretty darn stiff.

[driver8]

8. The same thing happened to my Border Collie, Cody...

He loved his walks -- they were his job! If we were "a little late" starting our walk, he used to start pacing as if to tell us, "C'mon...let's go!"

We knew something was wrong when Cody would turn around early, or not want to go on a walk at all. We had x-rays done and he had arthritis. I didn't realize how serious his condition was at first, but gradually it got to the point where he couldn't walk very well and had a hard time getting up.

Definitely get some x-rays done. It may show nothing but it will at least give you peace of mind.

SiouxJ -- your dogs are beautiful!! Border Collies are such amazing dogs.

[SiouxJ]

10. Thank you

I think they are pretty handsome too and yes, they are amazing. They blow me away with their intelligence nearly every single day. They are very athletic as well.

Are you going to get another one? I waited 6 weeks after putting Rocky down and then I just couldn't take it any longer. I wanted another BC and ended up with 2! I really like having 2 because it takes the pressure to constantly entertain them off of me . :-)

[driver8]

12. We are definitely going to get another dog...but probably won't be

a Border Collie. We have two small children now, and don't have the time that a Border Collie needs.

We got Cody when he was five years old and he was pretty mellow for a Border Collie. He would walk or hike all day, but didn't care about chasing a frisbee or a ball. (Believe me, I tried!)

I think that Border Collies are the most amazing dogs -- so intelligent and so athletic. The old shepards that bred these guys really knew what they were doing. The BBC used to have a show on Sunday mornings called "A Man and his Dog" -- it was herding competitions from England and Wales. I would set my alarm for 6:30am so I could get up and watch it. Simply amazing what these dogs can do.

[Lowell]

13. My dog Watson

is a twelve year old Jack Russell. He started acting strange about a year ago. Like your dog, he would jump and get excited when we would pick up his leash, but then he would not want to walk very far. The vet couldn't find any significant arthritis so that was not the problem. We started to wonder if he was suffering dementia. Then about four months ago on a routine blood test the vet discovered that Watson had a thyroid problem. He was put on medication, 2x a day, and his energy level immediately returned, as did his appetite. Now he again enjoys his walks. I have a thyroid disease also and I know how he must have felt. Easily fatigued and sometimes confused. Interestingly enough dogs also have a tendency to develop thyroid problems as they become elderly. And I just thought it was genetic, he must have gotten it from my side of the family . . .

[Eurobabe]

9. Maybe check for Lymes?

That can cause 'emotional' and physical problems. My friend's two goldens both have it, unfortunately. They also have hip problems, result of bad breeding, the one is a purebred and he has allergies and hip dysplasia, and thyroid - poor Sam, he's a mess and only 6 yrs. old. Good luck...

[IndyOp]

11. My Golden, Ben, sees walks as the "event that happens before eating" -

because he gets fed as soon as we get home from our walks.



Ben is most likely to balk when I walk him around the little park by my house. If I try to do more than one loop he will try to drag me home instead of starting a second loop. If I follow his lead and head toward home he will RUN the rest of the way home - if I let him. No health issues, not exhausted - just smart and stubborn and determined to get to his food bowl!

I think he is a more reluctant walker in heat - so I take him to a nearby woods that has lots of shade. I am careful to carry water, walk slowly, and let him jump in the creek to make sure he isn't overheating. Still - he often has a good time until I try to do a second loop around the lake - at which point he tries to head back to the car (and food bowl). So, now, I often walk 3/4's of the way along the loop and then turn around to head back to the car. I get in a better walk (which he needs, too) and we don't have to get frustrated with each other about who wins the walk vs. food bowl battle.

One help with Ben is to feed him BEFORE we leave for our walk and/or to take kibbles with me and feed him part of his dinner DURING the walk. He still expects a full bowl of food when we get home - which he does *not* get, though hope will always spring eternal in the Golden's heart!

Ben is my first Golden and he is so human it is ridiculous. He just doesn't go in for walks in the woods as much as my Chocolate Lab. If the Lab and I didn't insist on walking Ben would be just as happy staying at home sleeping and eating and playing with his toys.

So, check out your dog's health until you are absolutely sure all is well. In the meantime, consider taking some kibbles with you during the walk. If her behavior is just some kind of a bad habit (look what she can get YOU to do!) or determination to get back to her food bowl or comfy dog bed - a few kibbles during the walk might work wonders.

:bounce:

[Kolesar]

14. Now I appreciate my "hiking fool" golden

She loved hiking. She had incredible stamina and only tired when it was hot. We would like to get another, probably a rescued dog, but I hope we can find one who is as crazy for camping and hiking as our beloved Kayla.

She did get bored with walks around the block during her senior years and before her geriatric period, though.