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  1. #1
    House Broken
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    Labrador non-retriever

    Hi, all-
    It's been a while since I've been here, but I got such great advice last time I figure I'd defer to the pros again.

    My chocolate, Duke, has recently gone through a huge personality change. He used to be super competitive with his brother and fetcher supreme. When I come home from work at nighttime, I take Chief and Duke out front for some exercise. Duke has no interest in fetching. Instead of going after the wheel, he stands next to me in a very submissive posture, almost cowering like he had been beaten. Duke is normally our dominant dog. The last time he acted submissive he ended up having a little bone chip in his shoulder. I have given him a firm rub down to try to find a source of pain and have found nothing. All he does is lay on his bed staring at us with his Kong in his mouth.

    We recently had our first child a month ago and there have been some changes around the house with who is getting more attention, but Annie has been home for a month and Duke just started exhibiting this behavior ten days ago.

    Just this afternoon, during a break in the rain, I took the boys out front to play fetch. Mom was by the front door and the baby was inside. Chief had a good time and Duke would not even go in the yard. He just wanted to go back inside and get his Kong and lay on his bed.

    Any suggestions? I am really worried about my boy.

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    Have you taken him to the vet? A big personality/temperament change like that would have me calling for an appointment ASAP.

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  4. #3
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    That was my first thought - a good vet check. That's a huge personality change.

    Good luck
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  5. #4
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    I agree with Labradorks. At first I was thinking that my 2 were very different about fetching but Chase never wanted to fetch, Lark thinks it's her mission in life. If Lark were to suddenly not want to fetch, I'd be taking her to the vet to see if there was anything causing her pain or otherwise physically not right. I'd suspect that over worrying about having the new baby in the house or some other sudden fear. If there are no physical problems then I'd be trying to figure out if there is something else. It doesn't sound like he's sitting by your wife or by the baby as if they are ill or in danger. (Congratulations on Annie,by the way!) I hope you figure it out and get your Duke back!

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  7. #5
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Agree with vet check first.

    i would take him out alone to see how he does. Will he fetch without the other dog? Is he ok and happy on walks (alone?)?

    It could be that he is a sensitive dog and the new baby is causing stress even with the delay. But i'd investigate the other possibilities first.
    Last edited by Tanya; 08-14-2017 at 06:31 AM.

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  9. #6
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    Vet exam is in order.

  10. #7
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    Found out this morning our normal vet is on vacay this week. Do y'all think Duke can wait until Monday, or should I find somebody else?

  11. #8
    Senior Dog ZoeysMommy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by garball View Post
    Found out this morning our normal vet is on vacay this week. Do y'all think Duke can wait until Monday, or should I find somebody else?
    personally, given the complete change in activity level, etc, I would get to any vet who can see us asap.

  12. #9
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    I'd see the vet who's around. That's really too much of a change for me to feel comfortable...and ten days of it, at that. Those symptoms sound more to me like something is hurting.

  13. #10
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    Sorry for the late update...Doc says he could not find anything physically wrong with the Duke. Said he might have a new 'focus' with Annie and that things should normalize on their own. Thanks to all for the advice and well wishes for the chocolate.
    Last edited by garball; 08-24-2017 at 01:42 PM.
    My boys Duke and Chief
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