Susie Posted November 22, 2021 Share Posted November 22, 2021 Our greyhound joined us in December last year, and quickly relaxed happily into our family. For the last few weeks however, he has become frightened of every little noise. He leaps up and runs into another room staring around in a confused way. He’s found a spot in the small office we have, and wants to be in there permanently, no longer interacting with us. He doesn’t even wait by my side while I’m cooking any more like he used to. Does anyone have any ideas? He’s 11 years old with arthritis, but still very fit and well, still enjoys walks, but it’s like he doesn’t want to be a part of family life in the house any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time4ANap Posted November 22, 2021 Share Posted November 22, 2021 Maybe something related to a dementia type illness or similar to Sundowner's Syndrome. Is he up all night and agitated once it gets dark out? If so, check out Sundowner's syndrome in dogs. Quote Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan. Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket, Allie Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KF_in_Georgia Posted November 23, 2021 Share Posted November 23, 2021 If he's hearing something that upsets him--humming machinery or something--there might be something in the office that masks the upsetting sound. Did the behavior change happen when you turned on the furnace? Quote Kathy and Q (CRT Qadeer from Fuzzy's Cannon and CRT Bonnie) and Jane (WW's Aunt Jane from Trent Lee and Aunt M); photos to come. Missing Silver (5.19.2005-10.27.2016), Tigger (4.5.2007-3.18.2016), darling Sam (5.10.2000-8.8.2013), Jacey-Kasey (5.19.2003-8.22.2011), and Oreo (1997-3.30.2006) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted November 23, 2021 Share Posted November 23, 2021 Another possibility is some change in the environment that might seem trivial to you, but isn't to him. It could be scent (new detergent or air fresheners?), sound (construction nearby?), food, housemates (human or animal), almost anything ... It might not be an ongoing change either--if something happened to disturb him, he might remain on alert for a long time. If I couldn't think of anything, I might have a vet exam and bloodwork done, in case there is a medical issue. I have a 13 year old whose behaviour suddenly changed in the spring--she would suddenly jump up and switch locations, she spent more time in her crate, and so on. In her case, the problem seemed to be pain. She went to the clinic 4 times and told 4 different stories about what hurt. She's now on a cocktail of pain meds and supplements. That, plus the cooler weather, and maybe time (perhaps she had a strain or nerve impingement that's healing) seems to have helped. Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted November 23, 2021 Share Posted November 23, 2021 If it started recently I'd suspect turning on the heat as an issue. But second the vet visit for bloodwork, and especially a thyroid test. Hormones can change drastically as they age, and a thyroid imbalance will cause anxiety in some dogs. I'd also try putting some putting some DAP diffusers around the house (and maybe a collar on the dog) to see if that helped at all. He might need a short course of an antianxiety med to get him through this. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie Posted November 25, 2021 Author Share Posted November 25, 2021 Thank you all for your helpful replies. 🙂 I took him to the vet yesterday and showed her some videos I’d taken so she could see his behaviour. She thinks his hearing could be deteriorating and that noises aren’t sounding the same at the minute which he’s finding confusing. He had a good check over and there were no other problems, thank goodness. I’ve got Yucalm to try out, a DAP collar, and we’ve moved his bed into a quieter room away from the hustle and bustle of the house. He’s starting to seem a bit happier already. it’s very useful to know about slight changes upsetting greyhounds as now I’ve had a good think about this, there are quite a few things that have changed. Heat, as mentioned, which it turns out is quite noisy at night. Also, a new bread maker we put on at night which clacks for a couple of minutes quite noisily! He’s probably been petrified! Thank you again - what a useful website this is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeyRunDog Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 14 hours ago, Susie said: I’ve got Yucalm to try out, a DAP collar, and we’ve moved his bed into a quieter room away from the hustle and bustle of the house. He’s starting to seem a bit happier already. I have found the Adaptil plug-in diffuser helps taking the edge off for Grace during the November and New Year fireworks. Quote Grace (Ardera Coleen) b. 18 June 2014 - Gotcha Day 10 June 2018 - Going grey gracefullyGuinness (Antigua Rum) b. 3 September 2017 - Gotcha Day 18 March 2022 - A gentleman most of the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 look into http://www.senilife.com and purina bright minds. both take at least a month to kick in. but it won't hurt- i've dealt w/ senility in older dogs and it sounds like what you are dealing w. it may not be at the stage where they are up and about all night before starting to keep you up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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