Hi -
My 2 year old miniature goldendoodle is going through something - she is suddenly quite needy (wining to be pet all the time) and can't seem to get enough attention. This behavior alternates between hiding in the basement for most of the day. In addition, she is pooping on the carpet outside our bedroom in the middle of the night sometimes. It's not consistent enough for us to be able to pinpoint why she's doing it (we let her out before bed, so that's not a problem). I make every effort to walk/run her 4 miles a day. We have a 15 month old son, so I think she's "adjusted" to him by now since this behavior is so recent. Does anyone know what could be going on or what I could do about it? Thanks!
Definitely take her to the vet!! The neediness could be because she is in pain... she could have picked up a random parasite or any number of things!! If nothing is medically wrong, they will also be able to help you deal with it if it is a behavior problem!! Good Luck!
Take her to to vet to rule out any medical issue she may be having. Since dogs can't tell you they aren't feeling well her symptoms may be due to some medical issue. The baby has been in the home for over a year so it may not be due to that. Please take her to the vet.
You really should take the dog to the vet for a physical. Doggies can't tell us when they have a problem, they use odd behaviors to alert us like demanding extra attention, peeing or pooping in the house, etc... I would have him checked out asap.
Good Luck!
HI - I don't have a direct answer to your question but your comment about your dog adjusting to your 15 year old son intrigued me - we have a 2 year old toy poodle who HATES my 16 year old son. He dropped him when he was a puppy but I don't think the behavior started right after that. Could your dog's behavior have something to do with your son? Again, I don't have any answers but I'm at a loss as to what to do about my situation (short of hiring a special trainer to help us with it) but I thought you and I could explore what might be going on with our dogs and our sons!
I would ask your vet, but it does seem that maybe she's just going through an adjustment period. You do great to take her on 4 mile walks/run every day - that's awesome; she is a lucky dog. Maybe with your son now walking himself, she's feeling like he's getting all the attention. . . . ?? If she's had a recent check up and nothing is medically wrong, it may just be an adjustment period. She is "growing up" herself now at. Is she fixed? Maybe her own changes, coupled with the baby's changes, are regressing her a bit. It seems odd that she hides one day and the next she's craving attention . . . ? Sorry I don't really have an answer, but as an animal lover, I pray everything is ok.
ask amanda at safaridoodle.com we just purchased a labradoodle from them and they are quite the experts...
well my parents have a labradoodle and I remember at about his 2year mark my daughter was about a year old he had a little behavior outburst too. He would howl in the middle of the night like he was sad or in pain and started hiding under the dining room table. I beleive they went onto the dogwhisper's website and got some good advice and they started taking him to the local dog park to run around, we also started all taking him for more walks during the day to wear him out. With my daughter though he felt like she was one of his puppies, he would herd her where he wanted her, let her climb all over him and when she was away from him it really bothered him, made him act sad....they noticed his behavior got worse when she was away from him for longperiods...so maybe your dog is having anxiety being away from your child at night? I dont have a dog and Im no expert but maybe our experience will help...It did stop just so you know, if that helps at all!
There is definitely something going on with her. Is there something or someone scaring her during the day when you aren't there? I agree that a visit to the vet would be in order to have her checked out. You can also do a little head to toe exam yourself but watch your boundaries with her just in case you find a sore spot and she does the natural thing and nips.
