loopylass Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 My 13 yr old dalmatian has started to snap & bark/growl at us. I got him last August his prev owners didn't want him anymore becos they had had a baby. He has been no problem up until the last couple of months. There has been no change in circumstances. Anyone have any suggestions as to why he's started doing this please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReikiAnge Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 Do you mean August this year or August 2007? If his behaviour has changed suddenly I would get him to a vet to be checked over thoroughly to start with, to make sure he's not suffering in anyway As he's 13, it could be something like arthritis causing him pain, his sight going a bit and him snapping as he isn't sure what's going on etc. If the vet can't find anything wrong then you could look at finding a good behaviourist to take a look at him. Are there any particular situations you recall where he's been like this? Can you look at what was happening at the time, think if he might have been confused/surprised etc.? I'm neither a vet nor behaviourist, so these are just a few thoughts from reading your post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loopylass Posted December 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 Do you mean August this year or August 2007? If his behaviour has changed suddenly I would get him to a vet to be checked over thoroughly to start with, to make sure he's not suffering in anyway As he's 13, it could be something like arthritis causing him pain, his sight going a bit and him snapping as he isn't sure what's going on etc. If the vet can't find anything wrong then you could look at finding a good behaviourist to take a look at him. Are there any particular situations you recall where he's been like this? Can you look at what was happening at the time, think if he might have been confused/surprised etc.? I'm neither a vet nor behaviourist, so these are just a few thoughts from reading your post Sorry august 2007. I had him to the vets a few week ago. He gave me some steroid liquid for his stiff back legs. He said that might be why he's grumpy but poor Yoda's still snapping. My friend said he might be going senile but I have never had experience of this with dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Grose Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 I would take him back to the vets if he was mine because this is out of character. It could be all sorts of things including a thyroid imbalance and it does warrant further investigation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissa Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 It must be a very worrying & confusing time for you, I would certainly ask the vet to take another look at him - hope you get to the bottom of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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