Help for my chester!

chestersdad · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 7:28 pm Post subject: Help for my chester!

HI I have a 3 and half year old golden lab, who is normally very playful and always begs me to walk him twice a day.

This week he has changed completely, he no longer wants to go for walks, he seems scared to go outside even to do his toilet in the back yard, and now he is even off his food.

Its like hes a completely different dog and I dont know what to do.

I cannot think of anything that may have hurt or upset him.

Can anyone help or shall I take him straight to the vet

chestersdad · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 7:39 pm Post subject:

I should aso add that my wife is nearly 9 months pregnant do you think he can sense this and that he is feeling jealous or unloved not that we have treated him any different at all

_Mary_ · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 7:53 pm Post subject:

It could be do with your wife being pregnant, maybe he`s in sympathy with her!, I don`t doubt being almost due that she`s not feeling 100% herself and it could be that Chester senses this and feels he needs to stick close to your wife..

To be on the safe side though I`d have him checked over by the vet just in case, but with the change being so sudden hopefully s/he won`t find anything wrong with Chester.

Please let us know how he does, and welcome to the forum to all of you including the new arrival when s/he gets here Very Happy

trizia · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 7:55 pm Post subject:

Hi Chestersdad,

i'm so sorry to hear about your worries over chester, It's john w you need for good advice.. My feeling is that you should consult with your vet about it.. A lab not wanting walks or food for me would trigger alarm bells.. It could be that he has eaten something without you knowing that is causing these worrying signs?... I'm sure but definatly no expert at all ,that your wifes pregnancy wouldn't be the cause...

I hope he get's well soon AND VERY BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW ARRIVAL...

Regards Trizia.

trizia · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 7:58 pm Post subject:

Mmm, mary and CJ have a more sensible explanation to my thoughts i think!!!

ravenbeauty · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 8:08 pm Post subject:

Has he been hearing fireworks or anything...or had a fright of any kind...it's just fireworks have been going off here at night every so often,luckily Raven's not bothered but I have had dogs in the past that got very worried about them.
poor baby...hope he's ok and you get to the bottom of it.
Julie x

JohnW · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 9:25 pm Post subject:

I think every thing's been covered. Yes, dogs do sense "Different to normal" things. Your wife is almost certainly not acting as she used to a few months ago and no doubt you are exhibiting a certain amount of worry over her. Dogs have very little to do all day but watch us and really, they know for more about us than we will ever know about them!

Fireworks could be a problem. don't know what things are like around you but really, nothings started much here yet.

Again, no doubt you are taking a bigger interest in your wife at the mo and he may be a little on the back burner so he could be feeling a little left out?

Mary, Trizia and Julie have mentioned all of these and of course along with a medical reason, any could be the reason. Labradors contra to the happy go lucky mask they wear, are a remarkably sensitive breed of dog. I guess that's why we love 'em so much. They do wear their hearts on their sleeves even if at first sight they don't appear to!

Regards, John

chestersdad · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 2:27 pm Post subject:

well all seems back to normal for chester now luckily! He is again back to his usual self full of bounce and wanting walkies, and he is eating normally, i guess whatever troubled him has now passed, thanks to everyone who gave good advice

Andy