Change in dog behaviour

[cashmerecardigans]

We’ve had our dog for a year, we got him as a one year old from a working kennels and had great advice from here at the time.
Hes now 2, he’s an absolute joy, a bright and happy springer spaniel. He has always been pretty Velcro, happy to be left but a bit of a shadow at home. Under the desk if I wfh and sleeps under my dressing table in our room at night.
For the last 2 nights he’s slept downstairs, is reluctant to come up and if he does,he comes back down. In the day he’s taking himself off more than he used to. So I’m currently in the kitchen on the sofa and he’s in the sitting room on the sofa by himself. He’s also become a little anxious around the garden, keeps sitting at the door, then runs round to check it and comes back in.
I’m at a bit of a loss as to what may be behind it. Is it just a growing up thing or do I need to worry?

A sudden change of habits doesn't sound normal to me.

Has something spooked him while you've been out at any point in recent days? Otherwise I'd be inclined to wonder if he has pain somewhere.

Hiya. Glad things have gone well up to now.

For me, any change in behaviour is worth a vet visit.

In one of my dogs, signs of anxiety and nervousness are signals that she's in pain. She's the opposite, in that she usually sleeps in another room, but when unwell becomes a cling on.

Absolutely a vet visit. Pain makes dogs react differently.

Any change in behaviour warrants a vet visit first.
A reputable behaviourist would insist on it as a first step.

Thanks everyone, I think we’ll do a vet check. He is rather easily spooked, but I’d rather rule out anything physical. He has had a broken claw recently but that has healed now so I don’t think it’s that

So bizarre that you are posting about this because i'm going through something similar with my dog. As soon as I go to bed at night, he is sleeping in the kitchen, whereas he used to come to bed with me, literally for 5 years, so it's so out of character.

I am going to take my dog to the vet on tuesday because this has been going on for ten days, and even though I don't have anything concrete to go on, I just will have some kind of peace of mind by speaking to the vet, and i'm going to get them to do a urine and blood test.

@21ZIGGY do let me know how you get on. It’s such a worry when they start behaving out of character. Mine is eating and drinking as normal, but perhaps a bit less bouncy than usual. I was thinking I’d see how he goes for the next week or so, but he really is a dog of habit, so it’s rather odd. I’ve just come down to get a drink as I can’t sleep and he’s on the sofa, started off coming to sit next to me, then went to the other end of the sofa and just taken himself off to his bed ☹️

Poor soul. Sounds like something is upsetting him.

Personally, I wouldn't wait a week or two. You'll only be worrying about him for longer.

@cashmerecardigans how is your dog?

Mine has had the all clear on bloods and urine except for high thyroid. We are going to trial gabapentin and a medication for the thyroid ( can't recall which one) for a couple of weeks and see what difference that makes.

Well that's progress. Fingers crossed 🤞