My 6 year old Westie has gotten irritable lately. He now growls at 2 of my children when they try to pet him, and sometimes if they just walk by. My husband and I thought he was having vision problems because he seems to not notice things as much, but there are no signs of cataracts. He is eating normally and going to the bathroom, taking walks normally. He seems a little lethargic, but it is also very hot. We took him to the vet recently for another issue, so I was hoping to avoid another trip unless I have to.
Some people asked about the growling - my children are older (8,8,11) and are very gently with him. I don't recall any incidence of him being harmed by kids before the behavior started.
I'm more concerned with the part about how he only growls at 2 of your children..? Do the other children pet him with no problem? Maybe they are being too rough with him or hurt him accidentally in some way and he's holding a grudge!? ;) If he acts better with the other kids, I would try and observe as much as possible about all the kids interactions and go from there.
S., this caught my eye just because I'm a dog lover.
I guess to address the first issue, I had a Yorkie that got a little cranky with the kids when they were little. I can't remember how old she was at the time, probably about 5-6. Little kids are just too quick and fast and I think it scares some dogs which is what the react to.
But what really caught my eye is the type of dog and your location. My brother is in Nashville and one of his little dogs, which I think is also a Westie (are those the toto dogs?) recently lost his vision. Price is I think a little older like 8-10. His other dog, a Yorkie is about 12 and is fine except just some aging issues. But he had Price checked for everything, even doggy diabetes, everything came back fine. They have no explanation as to why he lost his vision, seemingly fairly sudden.
Message me if you want me to get more details.
Lori
Hi S.,
We had to put down a sweet lab down because her behavior changed drastically. She had gotten into a bed of ticks and apparently one or more of them was carrying something that poisoned her neurological system. She got terribly aggressive at the strangest times. Mosquitos, fleas, ticks and spiders can all do things to dogs and it's hard to see these things while they happen. If our Scout had not had so many ticks on her we might not have figured out what really happened. I check our dog now fairly often for insects and bites when I'm petting him'
Hope this is not the issue but wanted you to have the information!
M.
It might be the beginning of arthritis? Has the vet checked his leg mobility? Also, dogs DO get crabby if they are too hot.
May be the children tease him or poke at him. You need to ask them if they have done anything to aggrevate the dog. I do not think that dogs growl for no reason..Does he growl when you try to pet him or does he growl at your husband when he pets him or walks by? You stated he growls at two of your children? Do you have more than two and if so are the two he growls at the younger ones? Find this out first before going to the vet because they will probably ask the same thing.
Westies are wonderful and I know this has you concerned. I think a visit to the vet might be in order to check for diabetes or some type of infection or eye issue. The vision issues and the lethargic behavior and the change in personality are all signs that should be investigated.
Changes in dog's behavior are usually related to 2 things:
1. Illness - it's very possible with a pedigree dog that there is a genetic issue or cancer that is causing him to act that way. I hope that's not the case.
2. Place in the pack feeling threatened.
Our dog was 6 when our son was born. It took over a year before behavior issues started (chewing through window moldings/blinds). We had to seek the advice of an animal behavioralist. Sounds crazy, I know, but he was able to give us some really good advice on how dogs are prone to behave. Ours is a mut, but there are characteristics indicative to certain breeds.
For us, it was $150 well spent.
Typically,a change in behavior is one of the few ways you know there's something going on. Obviously, dogs can't talk and tell you they hurt or are feeling icky. Oh boy, I wish they could!!! It's usually change in behavior and/or change in their eating habits that are the key factors. I soooo get not wanting to take him in again, but if they do blood tests, they may find something that would explain it.
I haven't read the other responses, but you might also sit the kids down and let them know you aren't mad, but you absolutely need to know if there WAS an incident with the dog - they may just be afraid to tell you if they (even accidentally) hurt him or messed with him. This might be a long shot, though, because usually dogs are very patient and wouldn't change their behavior for just one accidental incident. It's usually a pattern of aggressive or abusive behavior toward the dog that makes them get aggressive back. Just a thought, though.
I wish you the best of luck!!
AHHH S.. I know the "I do not want to make a trip to the vet if it is not necessary feeling"? I feel the same way many times. I wish Pet insurance was something that was affordable when our four legged children arer healthy and well.... I do think you should take him in though. Make a payment arrangment with the vet maybe ahead of time. My best friend's Westie was also 6. I guess 6 1/2 when he started to do the same thing. It almost happened over night. She took him in and found out it was his liver was inflammed. I am sad to say they had to put him down, but the vet said it was just the breed.... I was so sad for them; especially because little dogs have longer life cycles. The crazy thing is that now she has 2 (YES 2 CRAZY I know) little Westies... Running chasing everything in the backyard.. I really hope this is not the case, but I think you should take him in.
how does his hearing seem to be? that is one of the first things that popped in my head. good luck
I'd take him in again. He could be in pain, or your husband could be right and his vision is failing (which can be caused by things other than cataracts), there are a whole host of issues that could be causing his recent behavior change and hopefully it's something simple that your vet can quickly fix.
