I have a 10 year old yellow Lab and in the past 4 months he has started to get needy for attention. My husband and I give him a lot of attention as it is, but then he has become aggressive towards our other dog (Walker Hound) and our cat.
This is not like him at all and I was wondering if this is an age related change, or if it is something more serious. Should I take him to a vet? We have never owned a Lab before, so do not know about their life changes as they age. He has always been so gentle and well behaved.
By forensicanthro44 from MT
These are some ideas: If the dog is taking on the Alpha dog character. To stop some of this aggression, The Dog Whisperer said to serve the feed to the aggressive dog last and keep this routine consistent, It' could also a sign of old age, being somewhat crabby natured for lack of patience or too much action going on in it's life. Maybe he needs a break or more outdoor activity as he's not using up his conserved energy.
There's a lot of things could be going on to cause a dog to start being aggressive. Jealousy is another factor. If that's the case, talk to the older dog first and show attention to him first so he feels he's important. Just be sure you know what the problem is. Wouldn't hurt to allow a vet to check your dog over too for any underlying health issue only a vet might notice.
(03/17/2010)
By Myrna
Hello, It seems to me like your older baby needs a Senior Exam at his Veterinarian. Please take him in, there might be an underlying medical problem. (03/19/2010)
By Sherri
Agree with the poster who already mentioned taking him for a Senior workup at your vet. Often, when personality changes start taking place, the cause is something physical.
Dogs "put on the brave face"--in other words, they tend not to show pain or discomfort until it's what you or I would consider extreme. That's a throwback to canines in the wild: an injured or otherwise weak wolf or feral dog will often be either left behind or destroyed by the pack.
You, your family and your other pets are his pack--I think he's trying to tell you something. Hugs to your older guy:) (03/19/2010)
I had something like this happen with a dog I had several years ago. Out of the blue, Gunther started attacking Parker whom he grew up with. He would actually stalk Parker and we literally had to put up gates to keep them apart. Parker weighed 135 at the time and Gunther a very solid 110 pounds.
Both dogs were Lab mixes and the whole experience really changed Parker. He was afraid to be anywhere near Gunther. We had no idea why Gunther had such a change in his personality, not to mention he was only 4 years old.
Several weeks later while petting Gunther he cried out in pain when I petted him and I immediately checked out his entire body for any reason he would be in so much pain.
I found huge baseball size lumps under his throat and on his back legs. To make a long story short Gunther had cancer and we put him to sleep a month later. It took Parker a really long time to get back to his normal self and years later while he and I were sitting in the waiting room at our Vet, a tech came out and called another dog in the waiting area by the name of Gunther and Parker jumped up on the bench that I was sitting on and got directly behind me trembling. This was probably a good 3 years after we put Gunther down and poor Parker hadn't forgotten.
Was your dog and cat ever really friends? I would probably take your dog to the Vet for a complete check-up and also have his eyes tested.
Parker is now 11 years old and turning gray. He has Hip Dysplasia and I take him to a Chiropractor for monthly adjustments. He's a good old boy. I wish you well with your dog. (03/20/2010)
By CPJ
I think there is something wrong with your dog. I have had several lab mix dogs and they were sweet all their lives. The other posters have it right, dogs put on the "brave face" and try to do what they think they are supposed to do even in the face of illness and pain. Our dog, Suzie, who died last year, had a large tumor in her chest and we didn't know it until we took her to the vet for shortness of breath. (03/22/2010)
By Marcie
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