I'm not worried about Poppy exactly, just concerned that she is being a little odd. She has always been rather more reserved than my old dogs were, but recently she has become quite unwilling to cuddle with us. If invited on to our bed, she hops up politely, but after a quick cuddle, will jump down and go back to her own dog bed. If we invite her up on to the couch with us, she'll stay for a moment, but then get down and go and sit on her own. Yesterday she barely wanted to go out for a walk with OH in the morning - though once he started a retrieving game with her she was very enthusiastic. When I go to training sessions with her, she is very keen and happy. It has been hot here recently, and in addition due to holidays we have left her at home for a couple of weeks, with my son looking after her. She was also at a neighbor's for a weekend while my son joined us in the UK for a wedding. And once I was back, my OH was away for another week. Do you think these things might be the cause for her being so reserved with us? Or could it be that she is feeling hormonal? She isn't due to come into season for another month, but her nipples look a little swollen. But she isn't showing any other signs of coming into heat, and male dogs aren't any more interested than normal. I don't think she is ill - but I'm a little bemused by this change in her behaviour. Any ideas?
Re: Odd behaviour The only thing on your list of possibles that I have experience of is time apart. I was really quite distraught when Charlie was in kennels, I'd go to visit him, and he'd greet me quietly, and wouldn't cuddle, or even look at me (at home he watches me all the time). Like he was somehow "disengaged" from me. It was weird - not what I expected at all. It wore off though, and he was soon back to normal when he got home. Very disconcerting though.
Re: Odd behaviour [quote author=Karen link=topic=7169.msg98651#msg98651 date=1406885503] Yes, that's how I feel. Disconcerted, and a little sad. [/quote] Ah Karen,that makes me feel sad for you x I'm the same as Julie and only have experience of leaving Dexter for periods and he seems to adjust really well.He does do his own thing though if he's hot,they do make you wonder what they are thinking when you see a change in them.I hope you see a return to her normal self soon x
Re: Odd behaviour I would think its just reaction to recent events Karen , Sam hates changes too and will be even more quiet than usual if he is feeling that way out . Its funny isnt it , we can sense even the smallest change in behaviour where others cant see it ? Hoping Poppy will be cuddling again soon
Re: Odd behaviour Thanks Julie, Angela and Kate. I must say, since our holidays she is more reserved with OH than with me, so you may well be right, as he was away for even longer than I was. Hopefully she'll be back to her normal self soon, as she gets more confident that things are more stable again. She is a very sensitive little soul… :
Re: Odd behaviour Hi, Karen I've never really left meg for long, the only time is when she's had to go to vets for x rays or ultrasounds but I noticed even after just a day that she was distant, I suppose that's what you'd call it. She's always one for a cuddle but she wasn't interested, if I called her for a cuddle she would just ignore me. It must be very strange and upsetting for them when there's a change in routine and that's what I put it down to. It would last a couple of days and then she'd be back to normal. To be honest it was like she was sulking and didn't want anything to do with me.
Re: Odd behaviour I will have my first time away from Milly latter in the month for 9 days. I hope this doesn't happen. How sad for you. I hope she gets her hugs back soon.
Re: Odd behaviour If it's a hangover from the separation blues, and Charlie is anything to go by, it wore off pretty quickly... Hope she is back to normal soon.
Re: Odd behaviour Mine hate change too and can be a little strange afterwards. We left them in our home with my elderly parents for 10 days last summer, getting a dog walker to come in daily. They knew the dog walker well, we meet up most days and share a couple of miles of exercise. Despite this, little Lochan hated going with the dog walker and has been timid around strangers coming to the house ever since. Our first lab when I was a child used to sulk for a fortnight whenever we came back from holidays. Hope Poppy settles down soon, I'm sure she'll soon by back to her old ways.
Re: Odd behaviour Harley has been very much like this since the weather got hot. She rarely stays on our bed now unless we have the ceiling fan on full blast. As for cuddles on the sofa - very rare. Yesterday it was a bit cooler, I did get a cuddle on the sofa Hope Poppy gets back to herself soon x
Re: Odd behaviour I was going to say what everyone else has. Put it into human behaviour and you could call it sulking to teach you a lesson or incase your thinking of doing it again. It could also be the heat as well. Quick cuddle, too warm, moves away. A combination of the two maybe. As for hormones only ever having had male dogs I wouldn't know how soon it can effect them but a month doesn't seem long so maybe a possibility. The heat may also effect their hormones if they are due in season but I'm just guessing. I'm sure she'll come around soon.
Re: Odd behaviour Yeah, I'd have said Charlie was sulking at being left. Only, dogs don't sulk. Do they? Hmmmm... You could be forgiven for sometimes thinking they do.
Re: Odd behaviour Late to this but same here really, Riley doesn't like change much and becomes a little distant. Cody vibes to Poppy
Re: Odd behaviour [quote author=JulieT link=topic=7169.msg98688#msg98688 date=1406900248] Only, dogs don't sulk,do they? [/quote] Well, judging by the facial expressions and body language my dog puts on when I pick up my handbag and keys I'd have to say they do,Dexter could win a prize for his sulky face when I'm nipping to the shops for half an hour but so far he has been ok when we go away for 2 weeks.....
Re: Odd behaviour My in-laws dog DEFINITELY used to sulk when they got back from holidays! Hope Poppy gets her mo-jo back
Re: Odd behaviour Just to say that Pops is pretty much back to normal! I really think it was a combination of the hot weather and a reaction to the disturbances over the summer. Thank you all for your comments; I know it wasnt really a big deal in the greater scheme of things, but you do get to wondering if your dog is perhaps ill… Anyway, all seems ok again and she enthusiastically greets me when I come home from work, and is very happy to have a cuddle on the couch in the sofa with us.
Re: Odd behaviour Glad poppy is back to her usual happy self Karen. ;D I'm an expert on worrying even if there's nothing to worry about so I know what you mean. They like to keep us on our toes these dogs of ours.
Re: Odd behaviour Really glad to hear Poppy is back to normal. [quote author=Karen link=topic=7169.msg101568#msg101568 date=1408005182] but you do get to wondering if your dog is perhaps ill… [/quote] Yeah - I'm worrying right now because Charlie is behaving himself in the house, and has done for at least 10 days now. It's so difficult to go to the vet and say "I think my dog is ill because he is not being appallingly badly behaved".
