Labrador separating himself from owners

[idrinkandiknowthings]

Hi all, hoping for some help from a lab owner or animal behaviourist.

A friend and her husband own a much-loved black lab, who is nearly two. They've had him since he was a puppy. They're very experienced, having had another black lab previously who died a couple of years ago.

Their current lab is an absolute dish: happy, active, engaging, curious. He'd normally spend evenings with them both but very recently has started taking himself upstairs and only coming down for his food/drink or if there are visitors.

I visit them every second Saturday and he spent the evening with us downstairs whilst we chatted and watched TV. I thought it may be that he associates me with treats, because I always bring a chewstick or something else with me when I visit, but he apparently stays when other visitors arrive.

My friend and her husband are feeling distressed. He couldn't be more loved; he's fed well and exercised regularly in interesting places. Could anyone offer any advice? They have been watching Wimbledon and the football so thought it may be the noise and the cheers that's bothering him but they find it odd that he's staying downstairs when there are visitors.

TIA!!

Have they taken the dog to the vet? I know when dogs are in pain they tend to hide on dark spaces (like under beds).

Is the TV off when they have visitors? If so it could be that its bothering him. Also is it cooler upstairs. There has been a lot of hot weather recently, and it may just be more comfortable if upstairs is cooler.

Any significant change in behaviour warrants a trip to the vet, just to make sure there’s no pain.

My cocker spaniel does this. She'll spend the day downstairs with me, but as soon as I settle in the living room in the evening, she takes herself off upstairs to sleep on my bed. Sometimes she'll go up there for a nap after breakfast too. It's just her preferred sleeping space. She always comes running down if she thinks she's missing out on something.

Maybe they have the tv volume lower when there are visitors... It does sound likely that there is a link with a specific sound.
When I was a teen we used to listen to a lot of rock music. Our dog would remain in the room unless we played anything by a particular singer songwriter; as soon as she heard his voice she would get up and leave to lie elsewhere.
They pick up on things that we don't even notice.

Dogs often like to head off to a quiet space for a nap. They probably associate visitors with more food being around.

Thanks for your replies!

They're more concerned as it's a recent development. I'll ask my friend to check out your responses xx

one of my dogs hates football on the TV and gets as far away from it as possible, and scrabbles to be picked up which is a huge change from her normal behaviour. It could be that the TV is louder when there are no visitors.

It could be his age - he's maturing and not a puppy/adolescent any more.

Is it the heat? Maybe it’s cooler upstairs.

DDog likes to put herself to bed once she's had her tea. She'll come downstairs if she hears anything suggesting food... I think she just likes to sleep in peace.

I was going to ask this actually. More for my own understanding really as you know I’m a novice Lab owner but don’t they settle down around that age and become a bit more independent?

P (not a lab) started sleeping upstairs or in a different room from around 18 months old, I think.
So I am going to get a puppy every 2 years, so I always have one for company. 😂

I'd pop him to the vet - it can be a sign of pain. We always knew when our cocker was starting a pancreatitis flare because he'd start sleeping in the hall on his own. Maybe visitors are enough of a novelty to distract him from something he's finding painful or something in the environment that's uncomfortable. They haven't just got a new air freshener plug-in or something else scented, have they?

how old is he? we had a jack Russell who when got older used to go down for a nap about 6 in the eve. had loads of places to sleep in house but at this time he always went to the bedroom. he used to get grumpy at this time go for his nap and an hour later come up like a new dog refreshed

I'd make sure he's not in any pain. I know when Ddog is in pain (she is prone to pancreatitis and ear infections) the first sign is her not wanting to be around me, and shying away if I go near her. She's absolutely fine with DH though and will happily come downstairs once he's home from work!

Heat tends to rise so I’d say not, I agree with others that a) he needs to be checked for pain, then if he’s ok with that, they need to work out the association he’s making with what’s on TV and/or the visitor calling. If the owners can’t do that, they need to consult an IDMT or APDT behaviourist.

It's probably the grotesque performative howling and groaning and bellowing that is getting to him. I too would hide under a bed and dog hearing is far more sensitive than ours. Poor chap can't tell you to turn the damn thing off.

Our lab does take himself off for a nap often when it's just us (he goes to his bed rather than upstairs but its not in the living room), we are a bit boring, he loves us but isn't always bothered about hanging out with us especially as he sees us all day (wfh). Visitors are a lot more unusual and exciting so maybe it's just that. They should get him checked out of course, but he might just be getting less sociable as he ages, and more snoozy (especially in the summer weather!)

He's probably just tired and wants to rest in peace & quiet, which is good because will help him regulate emotions. Visitors are exciting and food...well, he's a lab!

But I agree a vet check won't do any harm as its always wise to rule out pain or illness.

I would guess it’s the hot weather. He’s taking himself off for some peace and quiet as he’s got and bothered.

Ours has done this for years....we realised early on that he was sneaking upstairs and spreading out on DD's bed as it was the comfiest spot!

Does the dog just want some peace and quiet away from people and noise.

I would immediately think from your post that it's the TV. I assume it's off when visitors are there so he comes down - maybe it makes a sound humans can't hear. Or maybe your friends are not engaging with him when gripped with Wimbledon or whatever.
I:d try making sure it's off then playing 'find it' with treats hidden round the living room, and a big fuss when he finds it!