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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Old Boys.

7 replies

Milliways · 30/01/2012 18:03

Anyone's old boys become snappy with strangers?

We just had an unfortunate incident, which luckily no-one is getting too worked up about (friends hand marked by a nasty "snap") but it is hard to keep him shut away with friends in the house as we need hawk-eyes for signs he is about to poo on the floor as he no longer asks to go out.

OP posts:
RedwingWinter · 30/01/2012 19:13

Have you had him checked by a vet to be sure there isn't a new health issue which is making him grumpy? (Apologies if you've done that already).

Original poster
Milliways · 30/01/2012 19:50

Yes, it's just age related degeneration. The average life of a GSD is only 10 so he's done well really.

He's always been a bit dodgy with strangers, hence we keep them at a distance and have managed so for 12 years.

Think he's just a bit senile now - he def only does what he wants, when he wants, and that has got decidedly worse over last few months.

OP posts:
RedwingWinter · 30/01/2012 21:53

Poor thing! It's a good job you take such good care of him. I suppose you have to keep shutting him away then.

We have a carpet cleaner and it's so useful. Our dogs are not old but for health reasons one of them has had occasional accidents and it helps with the cleaning.

I love GSDs. I'm sorry he's got worse in the last few months and hope that he can still have lots of happy times with you :)

iseenodust · 30/01/2012 21:58

Not yet. Must be difficult and you seem to be trying the best for everyone.

If it makes you smile a moment, our lab who is now 12 has just recently started to nudge men in the genitals if they haven't greeted him sufficiently.

Original poster
Milliways · 30/01/2012 22:11

We have a large kitchen/diner & hallway that are all tiled - so we try & restrict him to there (his bed is in the kitchen) but he likes to sleep on the halfway landing (carpeted) so often leaves deposits behind there!

DH works from home - but if he has to go out we have to leave the dog outside- and although we put his bed in the garage which he has access to - he tends to lie by the side gate or back door and freeze!

It would be easier if he told us he wanted to go out - but we put him out regularly and he still has accidents. He just has no idea anymore.

Then he runs down the garden after a pigeon like a puppy..........

OP posts:
Original poster
Milliways · 30/01/2012 22:12

and yes Iseeno dust - that did make me smile - Thanks :)

OP posts:
momnipotent · 30/01/2012 22:24

Hmm, not with strange people but with other dogs. Our 10 yo lab/husky/chow used to get annoyed by other dogs. We would go to the dog park and he would walk around the perimeter and then sit at the gate to go home, totally avoiding any other dogs. It then very slowly dawned on me that he might be in some kind of pain - he had consecutive bilateral cruciate ligament surgery when he was 5, but right after he had the first surgery he broke the leg he had had the surgery on and it healed all funny, we of course were oblivious because he was already on pain killers and walking funny. I took him to the vet and we started him on daily painkillers, and we also have a homeopathic vet and she prescribed some kind of herbal thing. It has made a world of difference. He now runs straight into the dog park and greets the other dogs, and if anyone new arrives he runs over to the gate and greets them. Occasionally he will chase the ball, and sometimes he even plays with the other dogs. He's so stoic, I have no idea how long he was suffering. :(

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