Dog refusing to come in from the garden - what is going on?

[ApolloandDaphne]

6 yo female lab. Last night, about 3am she was crying so i went down and she was standing by the door. Let her out thinking she needed the toilet. But she just went out and lay on the grass and would not come back in - not even with the offer of food. When we did get her in and we went back to bed she did it again and again to the point that DH ended up sleeping on the sofa with her on the floor beside him as we were worried she was ill, however she seems fine.

All day today she has stayed outside. She seems well enough although she didn't come looking for her food at 6 like she usually does. It was 8.30 by the time i realised she hadn't been fed.

This is not usual behaviour for her and i wondered if anyone else had a dog that did this? I am rather dreading going to bed as i suspect she will start up again. We plan to just ignore her if she does.

Update on last night. She whined and yowled for an hour then stopped for about 20 minutes then started again for literally a minute then nothing again all night. Not even when my DD and her mates came in late from being out.

I don't think she is unwell at all. She might be warm and prefer the garden but she isn't unwell. The one time she was very ill and had spectacular diarrhoea and vomiting all over the kitchen she did it in complete silence. I think this is attention seeking. It worked the first night when she fancied going out so she tried it again.

Thank you for all your support, advice and stories. Dogs are strange creatures at times but we wouldn't be without them!

Just because she isnt vomiting or having diarrhoea doesn't mean she isn't ill. If she were mine I'd be getting her checked in case she's swallowed something, or she has twisted gut etc.

Get her to the vet - what's your hesitation in doing so?

Why haven't you taken her to the vet? Her behaviour is clearly out of the ordinary for her. Dogs can carry on eating/toileting and still be unwell.

I really would take her for a quick vet check up especially as you said you are going away on Saturday.

Try putting a damp towel down.

My dog was all about staying out all night when she realised there were hedgehogs in the garden (which she liked to carry about...).

My dog behaves like that when her pancreatitis is about to flare up. In her case it's because she's in pain.

I would definitely be getting the vet to have a look. It could be many things: the heat, disturbance of routine but it could also indicate she's in pain.

She is clearly not unwell. I take her to the vet when i am worried about her but not when she is fine. This morning she was dancing about in anticipation of her breakfast and is acting completely normal. Honestly you would think i was beating my dog and being cruel to her. I think she was probably hot and uncomfortable and a bit out of her routine. We were away last week with her and i think she is a bit discombobulated by it all.

I always give my DP the vets number when we go away. They don't live very far away from us. If there is an issue when we are gone they will take her to the vet. She loves going there and it is very quiet and peaceful so she will get a chance to chill.

It could be behavioural but equally as pigsDOfly said it could be pain. When my dog had a bowel obstruction he sort out the coldest place possible to lie down at night. At other times when he has been in pain he tries his hardest to act as normal as possible. A quick visit would at least rule out something physical.

Obviously you think you know best so it's ultimately your decision. Personally I wouldn't take the risk but it's your call

Is she spayed then OP?

Yes she is spayed. I clarified that last night.

She has been at the vet a lot recently as she had an OP 9 weeks ago (elbow dysplasia) and i have taken her for checks and for things i was concerned about. She is only being lead walked so i know she hasn't eaten anything horrible. I feel pretty certain this is behavioural but thank you all for your advice. I am genuinely pleased people have taken time to respond.

Is it at all possible she could be in a bit of discomfort with her elbow still?

It could be something as simple as her just not being able to get comfortable. Also I imagine she might be a bit restless with lack of her normal exercise routine.

You do not know what is wrong, her behaviour is not normal and you are being negligent by not taking her to the vets.

I would ring the vet for advice, I have done this before. If you are already registered with them, they won't mind

But her behaviour last night shows that for some reason, she wasn't/isn't fine. It could be the weather, but equally she could be in pain - wouldn't you rather take her to the vets and put your mind at rest? Most conditions/illnesses are much easier (and cheaper!) to treat if you catch them early.

I am not being negligent at all. It is no different to having a young child who is acting a bit out of character and keeping an eye on them rather than rushing to the GP then being satisfied a day or so later that they are fine and back to normal.

Last night spaniel started whining in fact early hours. Thought let him out thinking upset tummy. He just lay on the lawn legs splayed belly on the grass to cool down. Was tempted to join him. We all had a bad night in the heat.