Does my dog need to go to the vets? Could he be old?

[D0oinMeCleanin]

This is going to sound really silly I fear.

He's eating fine. He's drinking fine. He still loves walks. He's just so well behaved now. It's not right.

During the day he sleeps by my feet (except when we're out walking of course. On an evening when I am out he sleeps on the top of the stairs on his own and comes down to sit with me when I get in. There is no somersault filled greeting. He just quietly pops himself on my lap.

He still chases seagulls in the yard.

He just seems quieter. He's even stopped dry humping things.

We were told he was between 18 months old and 2 when we got him, which means he's now 4 - 4.5. Is it normal for them to slow down so much at that age? Could he be older?

He went totally off lead on Sunday. No recall lead, nothing. For the first time ever. We normally have his recall lead on. He did a zoomie, sniffed some seaweed, rolled in some dead crabs and then came back and laid down on my feet before I could call him back to practise his recall

He's just passed the 'crazy teens' and is settling into being a grown up. Sounds like a lovely dog.

Agree with the others.
Sounds like he was in the mad teenage phase when you got him & now he's grown up & settled down.

Don't be fooled. He's just pulling you in to a false sense of security. Before he eats your house.

You've met him then, Chickens?

My Spaniel is 5 in November and he is quite the restrained gentleman.

Sometimes.