Just got back from a 10 day trip and my dog's behavior is very different. He is an English Shepard and usually an excited ball of energy . My dad checked up on him every day and he stayed on his 100' run. He is now very mellow and calm, no jump up on us , running full speed, etc. Just follows me around and if I stop he sits right next to me. If I go in the house he lays at the door till I come back out. He is eating well, poop looks good, will run and play, but this is the calmest I've ever seen him. I was working on the tractor and just laid on the floor about 15' away, head up just watching me. This from a dog who usually can't sit still for 2 minutes. I plan to keep an eye on him and I've been giving him extra attention, frankly, I like the new him, just a little worried as it's odd behavior to what we are use to. Any comments ? -Thanks

Doesn't sound right for that breed. Short of taking him to the vet I'd at least take his temperature. Should be around 101. Check his gums too.


If no change, I'd be taking him in. Those dogs don't usually calm down until later in life.

Pete

I know , that's what's odd. I already checked his gums they look fine, he didn't feel warn to the touch. He's not showing any signs of being ill, just not hyper.

My son's border collie/lab started calming and behaving and we were all happy till the dog went into convulsions. Got blood work and he was short on potasium. Has to get a shot every other day and blood work every 3 months.

You abandoned the dog. You hurt it. The dog is afraid that you'll leave again.

We have left before a year ago and he was fine. I did notice his one eye is matted and he keeps squinting.

This! I just got home from Va for the Fur Taker rondy, and my jack has to be touching me since I got home. She gets vindictive when you leave her, and will chew up stuff that she normally won't touch, but when you get home, it's like she is glued to me!

Anytime you see a marked difference in behavior of an animal something is wrong and probably ought to get a vet to take a look.

He goes to the vet at 8am tomorrow morning. He is up to date on all shots and still appears to be "healthy" , just very calm and mellow for a dog that usually high energy. He is eating good and stool looks fine; not sleeping more than usual just sitting in front of the door, head up in a calm alert manner. Hope we find out all is well in the morning.

Keep us posted. I'm always on high alert when a pattern in their behavior/personality changes

In dog psychology, it missed you. They are pack animals and you left it isolated, so now it is insecure.

Put it this way, if your wife left you for 10 tens and you did not know why, would you be acting normal or behaving, so it would not happen again.

Well, he was running a slight fever , 103* F , vet said 101* F was normal. Said likely a virus , as no wounds or injuries present. Eye was irritated , likely poked himself running in woods. Got some ointment for eye, a anti-inflammatory shot and some anti-bionics to give to him. Said he should be okay in a few days.

The bad news. He has cataracts in both eyes. Bad genetics. Told us our 4 year old dog has eyes of a 10-12 year old dog. We always joked about him being blind as he would run into chairs , wagons, people , etc. Now we know why. Vet said may be years before things get worse or it will just keep getting worse. He couldn't say either way. I'm still processing, but that's the update.

Thanks for the update.