I hope I will feel foolish about posting this tomorrow, right now I am
feeling anxious and trying not to let it show.
Jack is my Pit Bull mix. I have described him as laid back, slow,
submissive, and those things are true, but he is acting strange and I am
worried.
Jack sleeps in a crate. He goes in all of the time and just lays
there. He loves it. Now he is laying beside Lady on her binky behind a
chair.
Last night he had a round of diarrhea inside of his crate. Poor fella
he tried so hard to avoid doing it in his crate that at first I thought
it was Lady, not him. He only got one little spot inside his crate, of
course some was on his binky. I put him outside, cleaned the crate, put
a fresh binky in (not his) then later added another one so he would have
a pillow. He went right in and seemed comfy. went right to sleep.
This morning I let him out, then a hour or so later when I let him in,
he ran right to his crate. The metal tray made that crunch sound and
right at that moment he yipped. I inspected the area for something that
could have hurt him. The crunch sound is not unusual, if he re-arranges
himself he makes that sound. You know the bendy/tinny sounds crates can
make. He ran out of the crate and behind the chair (where he is now).
He cried out when the crate made the noise. I tried to call him out, he
wouldn't come. I tried to pull him by his collar and he wouldn't budge.
I put my arm around his neck, he growled. He doesn't ever growl. I put
up all of the other animals and called him outside, still thinking his
paw or some part of him was injured. He ran to the door. I tried to
put my arm around him outside. He growled again.
I had to leave for several hours following that event. I brought him
in when I got home. He will not go near his crate. He sat by my chair
and I petted him for an hour or two. He doesn't have much of an
expression. He always has that look like he has been beaten (dead pan).
He normally loves to play with squeaky toys.
I tried to give him a ball, no interest. Oh, he would not eat his food
tonight, at first. That is highly unusual. He waited to come out from
behind the chair and then ate it tentatively at first, then started
eating like his normal self. (rapidly)
He followed me to the bathroom and walked with his tail between his
legs (not normal). He walks like he is afraid of something (not
limping). On top of everything else Larry left town this AM. He will
be gone for a week. He hasn't been gone long enough for the dogs to
realize it.
Out of desperation I put Larry's pillow on the floor by my chair.
Jack fell fast asleep after awhile. I gently woke him, touching him and
talking to him. Then I said "excuse me" (it means move) and started to
remove the pillow. My plan was to move it to the crate and Jack would
follow. He made a half-ass move towards my hand. I think he made a
sound/snap/growl. He tried to bite me, but stopped short. I put the
pillow in his crate hoping to lure him in. He sniffed it but he is back
behind the chair on Lady's binky. Lady has relocated to the front door
rug. (not unusual for her)
I have changed dog food twice in the last month. I changed to Purina
One for sensitive skin and stomach (salmon). I ran out and couldn't
find more, a week ago I changed to Pro Plan Adult Chicken and Rice. I
didn't plan to change food twice, it was poor planning on my part.
Other than Lady and Jubal not liking the new foods, all is well. I
don't think Jack's diarrhea is dog food related, and he no longer has
it, unless feeding him is going to bring on a go round. He ate about 6
hours ago.
I really don't know what is going on. I have never been afraid of any
of my dogs. I don't want to start feeling that now, but I am. He is
walking around like someone is going to harm him. He is acting weird
and I am sure I am to blame for some of his behavior. Does anyone have
any ideas as to what I should do or not do?
I just got the leash and walked toward the front door. He came
bounding out from his spot behind the chair... acting like everything is
fine. We are going for a quick walk. Please help if you have any
ideas.
Thanks,
Judy


Be Free.....Judy

"Judith Althouse" wrote in message
...
I hope I will feel foolish about posting this tomorrow, right now I am
feeling anxious and trying not to let it show.
Jack is my Pit Bull mix. I have described him as laid back, slow,
submissive, and those things are true, but he is acting strange and I am
worried.
Jack sleeps in a crate. He goes in all of the time and just lays
there. He loves it. Now he is laying beside Lady on her binky behind a
chair.
Last night he had a round of diarrhea inside of his crate. Poor fella
he tried so hard to avoid doing it in his crate that at first I thought
it was Lady, not him. He only got one little spot inside his crate, of
course some was on his binky. I put him outside, cleaned the crate, put
a fresh binky in (not his) then later added another one so he would have
a pillow. He went right in and seemed comfy. went right to sleep.
This morning I let him out, then a hour or so later when I let him in,
he ran right to his crate. The metal tray made that crunch sound and
right at that moment he yipped. I inspected the area for something that
could have hurt him. The crunch sound is not unusual, if he re-arranges
himself he makes that sound. You know the bendy/tinny sounds crates can
make. He ran out of the crate and behind the chair (where he is now).
He cried out when the crate made the noise. I tried to call him out, he
wouldn't come. I tried to pull him by his collar and he wouldn't budge.
I put my arm around his neck, he growled. He doesn't ever growl. I put
up all of the other animals and called him outside, still thinking his
paw or some part of him was injured. He ran to the door. I tried to
put my arm around him outside. He growled again.
I had to leave for several hours following that event. I brought him
in when I got home. He will not go near his crate. He sat by my chair
and I petted him for an hour or two. He doesn't have much of an
expression. He always has that look like he has been beaten (dead pan).
He normally loves to play with squeaky toys.
I tried to give him a ball, no interest. Oh, he would not eat his food
tonight, at first. That is highly unusual. He waited to come out from
behind the chair and then ate it tentatively at first, then started
eating like his normal self. (rapidly)
He followed me to the bathroom and walked with his tail between his
legs (not normal). He walks like he is afraid of something (not
limping). On top of everything else Larry left town this AM. He will
be gone for a week. He hasn't been gone long enough for the dogs to
realize it.
Out of desperation I put Larry's pillow on the floor by my chair.
Jack fell fast asleep after awhile. I gently woke him, touching him and
talking to him. Then I said "excuse me" (it means move) and started to
remove the pillow. My plan was to move it to the crate and Jack would
follow. He made a half-ass move towards my hand. I think he made a
sound/snap/growl. He tried to bite me, but stopped short. I put the
pillow in his crate hoping to lure him in. He sniffed it but he is back
behind the chair on Lady's binky. Lady has relocated to the front door
rug. (not unusual for her)
I have changed dog food twice in the last month. I changed to Purina
One for sensitive skin and stomach (salmon). I ran out and couldn't
find more, a week ago I changed to Pro Plan Adult Chicken and Rice. I
didn't plan to change food twice, it was poor planning on my part.
Other than Lady and Jubal not liking the new foods, all is well. I
don't think Jack's diarrhea is dog food related, and he no longer has
it, unless feeding him is going to bring on a go round. He ate about 6
hours ago.
I really don't know what is going on. I have never been afraid of any
of my dogs. I don't want to start feeling that now, but I am. He is
walking around like someone is going to harm him. He is acting weird
and I am sure I am to blame for some of his behavior. Does anyone have
any ideas as to what I should do or not do?
I just got the leash and walked toward the front door. He came
bounding out from his spot behind the chair... acting like everything is
fine. We are going for a quick walk. Please help if you have any
ideas.
Thanks,
Judy


Be Free.....Judy

Hi Judy,

Kiba has acted in an odd manner very similar to this a few times before. We
finally narrowed it down to the TV. We were certain at first it was the DVD
player making a noise we couldn't hear, but he's reacted like that to
regular network television too. It's only been three or four times, but
it's quite distressing. He won't come, acts afraid of us, and wants to hide
in his crate in my room, although he doesn't spend any time in there except
at night, sleeping. (Or if I have to go out for minute, and don't want to
take him with me). I'm content to let him just hide, if he likes. The
first time we fussed over him and tried to coax him into calmness. Now, we
just use calming signals and leave him be. The next day he's fine, even
later in the evening. He acts like that when we put Advantage on him too.
Kind of crazy the first day. The vet says it's the smell that bugs him,
then, though.
I don't know if this helps, but I wish you the best.
--
Phyrie
Kiba the Cav's Pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phyrie/...758930/detail/

(Judith Althouse) said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

I have described him as laid back, slow,
submissive, and those things are true, but he is acting
strange and I am worried.

You gave a pretty thorough description.

I had similar situations with Rocky, like when he returned
from outside with a big chunk of poo hanging on. I'd call him
back out, but something in my voice made him think that I was
angry, not anxious, and he'd run to the crate. He wouldn't
come out. I'm a lot more relaxed about it now.

Last night he had a round of diarrhea inside of his crate.

That can do it, plus a probable (albeit unintended) attitude
from you because of the clean-up. FWIW, such a situation is
one reason I like to give my dogs free run of the house at
night ASAP. Cleaning up the lino by the door is better than
cleaning a crate + dog. I understand that you can't give all
of your dogs unsupervised freedom at the same time, but
perhaps you can find a way to give Jack some roaming room at
night for a while.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

Judith Althouse wrote:

I hope I will feel foolish about posting this tomorrow, right now I am
feeling anxious and trying not to let it show.
Jack is my Pit Bull mix. I have described him as laid back, slow,
submissive, and those things are true, but he is acting strange and I am
worried.

Sorry to hear that. Any abnormal behavior is a cause for concern.
Jack sleeps in a crate. He goes in all of the time and just lays
there. He loves it. Now he is laying beside Lady on her binky behind a
chair.
Last night he had a round of diarrhea inside of his crate. Poor fella
he tried so hard to avoid doing it in his crate that at first I thought
it was Lady, not him. He only got one little spot inside his crate, of
course some was on his binky. I put him outside, cleaned the crate, put
a fresh binky in (not his) then later added another one so he would have
a pillow. He went right in and seemed comfy. went right to sleep.
This morning I let him out, then a hour or so later when I let him in,
he ran right to his crate. The metal tray made that crunch sound and
right at that moment he yipped. I inspected the area for something that
could have hurt him. The crunch sound is not unusual, if he re-arranges
himself he makes that sound. You know the bendy/tinny sounds crates can
make. He ran out of the crate and behind the chair (where he is now).
He cried out when the crate made the noise. I tried to call him out, he
wouldn't come. I tried to pull him by his collar and he wouldn't budge.
I put my arm around his neck, he growled. He doesn't ever growl. I put
up all of the other animals and called him outside, still thinking his
paw or some part of him was injured. He ran to the door. I tried to
put my arm around him outside. He growled again.

To me this portion reads as if he has physical discomfort. Perhaps a
bruise from a part of the crate or an object in the crate. This would
normally get better quickly. If it persists I would check with a vet.

I had to leave for several hours following that event. I brought him
in when I got home. He will not go near his crate. He sat by my chair
and I petted him for an hour or two. He doesn't have much of an
expression. He always has that look like he has been beaten (dead pan).
He normally loves to play with squeaky toys.
I tried to give him a ball, no interest. Oh, he would not eat his food
tonight, at first. That is highly unusual. He waited to come out from
behind the chair and then ate it tentatively at first, then started
eating like his normal self. (rapidly)

This reads as a probable after affect of the diarrhea. I would not
expect it to persist.

He followelid me to the bathroom and walked with his tail between his
legs (not normal). He walks like he is afraid of something (not
limping). On top of everything else Larry left town this AM. He will
be gone for a week. He hasn't been gone long enough for the dogs to
realize it.

Not limping rules out some, but by no means all injuries. (Can diarrhea
sensitize anal glands?)

Out of desperation I put Larry's pillow on the floor by my chair.
Jack fell fast asleep after awhile. I gently woke him, touching him and
talking to him. Then I said "excuse me" (it means move) and started to
remove the pillow. My plan was to move it to the crate and Jack would
follow. He made a half-ass move towards my hand. I think he made a
sound/snap/growl. He tried to bite me, but stopped short.

To me this reads as if you are reading more into a warning than was
there. This also suggests physical discomfort.

I put the
pillow in his crate hoping to lure him in. He sniffed it but he is back
behind the chair on Lady's binky. Lady has relocated to the front door
rug. (not unusual for her)
I have changed dog food twice in the last month. I changed to Purina
One for sensitive skin and stomach (salmon). I ran out and couldn't
find more, a week ago I changed to Pro Plan Adult Chicken and Rice. I
didn't plan to change food twice, it was poor planning on my part.
Other than Lady and Jubal not liking the new foods, all is well. I
don't think Jack's diarrhea is dog food related, and he no longer has
it, unless feeding him is going to bring on a go round. He ate about 6
hours ago.
I really don't know what is going on. I have never been afraid of any
of my dogs. I don't want to start feeling that now, but I am. He is
walking around like someone is going to harm him. He is acting weird
and I am sure I am to blame for some of his behavior. Does anyone have
any ideas as to what I should do or not do?

Be cautious and take things slowly. To me his behavior comes across as
warnings from a dog in some sort of physical discomfort. While I don't
think he has meant any harm, if you surprise him or ignore his warnings
he might not be so restrained. If he was hurt in the crate chances are
it was something minor and the pain (and its memory) will disappear in a
couple of days. If his behavior remains wary, check him out with a vet.
When you want to pet him make enough noise so that he is not surprised,
move slowly, and play close attention to movements of the head and neck
to see if he is wary of motions towards a particular portion of the
body. Stop if and when he gives warnings, and if the behavior doees not
intensify wait untill he relaxes, and then withdraw the hand. Let him
know you are in control, but respect his warnings and don't take
chances. If his warnings escalate quickly, don't take chances, instantly
withcraw the hand, and call the vet. If it appears that he is guarding
soft tissue check him out with a vet.

If the problem persists, and the vet doesn't identify a problem check
with a behaviorist.

Mind you my expectation is that his behavior is a warning over a minor
pain that will disappear, and in a few days you will be wondering why
you were worried.

I just got the leash and walked toward the front door. He came
bounding out from his spot behind the chair... acting like everything is
fine. We are going for a quick walk. Please help if you have any
ideas.
Thanks,
Judy


Be Free.....Judy

Judith Althouse wrote:

I just got the leash and walked toward the front door. He came
bounding out from his spot behind the chair... acting like everything is
fine. We are going for a quick walk. Please help if you have any
ideas.

It's impossible to say what might be going on. A lot of what you've
described could be due to a pain response. It could also, as Matt
suggested, be due to an unfortunate association that you weren't
aware of. The fact that he's happy to go for a walk would fit with
Matt's theory.

If you're worried, though, I'd recommend a trip to the vet.

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

"Judith Althouse" wrote in message
...
I hope I will feel foolish about posting this tomorrow, right now I am
feeling anxious and trying not to let it show.
Jack is my Pit Bull mix. I have described him as laid back, slow,
submissive, and those things are true, but he is acting strange and I am
worried.
Jack sleeps in a crate. He goes in all of the time and just lays
there. He loves it. Now he is laying beside Lady on her binky behind a
chair.
Last night he had a round of diarrhea inside of his crate. Poor fella
he tried so hard to avoid doing it in his crate that at first I thought
it was Lady, not him. He only got one little spot inside his crate, of
course some was on his binky. I put him outside, cleaned the crate, put
a fresh binky in (not his) then later added another one so he would have
a pillow. He went right in and seemed comfy. went right to sleep.
This morning I let him out, then a hour or so later when I let him in,
he ran right to his crate. The metal tray made that crunch sound and
right at that moment he yipped. I inspected the area for something that
could have hurt him. The crunch sound is not unusual, if he re-arranges
himself he makes that sound. You know the bendy/tinny sounds crates can
make. He ran out of the crate and behind the chair (where he is now).
He cried out when the crate made the noise. I tried to call him out, he
wouldn't come. I tried to pull him by his collar and he wouldn't budge.
I put my arm around his neck, he growled. He doesn't ever growl. I put
up all of the other animals and called him outside, still thinking his
paw or some part of him was injured. He ran to the door. I tried to
put my arm around him outside. He growled again.
I had to leave for several hours following that event. I brought him
in when I got home. He will not go near his crate. He sat by my chair
and I petted him for an hour or two. He doesn't have much of an
expression. He always has that look like he has been beaten (dead pan).
He normally loves to play with squeaky toys.
I tried to give him a ball, no interest. Oh, he would not eat his food
tonight, at first. That is highly unusual. He waited to come out from
behind the chair and then ate it tentatively at first, then started
eating like his normal self. (rapidly)
He followed me to the bathroom and walked with his tail between his
legs (not normal). He walks like he is afraid of something (not
limping). On top of everything else Larry left town this AM. He will
be gone for a week. He hasn't been gone long enough for the dogs to
realize it.
Out of desperation I put Larry's pillow on the floor by my chair.
Jack fell fast asleep after awhile. I gently woke him, touching him and
talking to him. Then I said "excuse me" (it means move) and started to
remove the pillow. My plan was to move it to the crate and Jack would
follow. He made a half-ass move towards my hand. I think he made a
sound/snap/growl. He tried to bite me, but stopped short. I put the
pillow in his crate hoping to lure him in. He sniffed it but he is back
behind the chair on Lady's binky. Lady has relocated to the front door
rug. (not unusual for her)
I have changed dog food twice in the last month. I changed to Purina
One for sensitive skin and stomach (salmon). I ran out and couldn't
find more, a week ago I changed to Pro Plan Adult Chicken and Rice. I
didn't plan to change food twice, it was poor planning on my part.
Other than Lady and Jubal not liking the new foods, all is well. I
don't think Jack's diarrhea is dog food related, and he no longer has
it, unless feeding him is going to bring on a go round. He ate about 6
hours ago.
I really don't know what is going on. I have never been afraid of any
of my dogs. I don't want to start feeling that now, but I am. He is
walking around like someone is going to harm him. He is acting weird
and I am sure I am to blame for some of his behavior. Does anyone have
any ideas as to what I should do or not do?
I just got the leash and walked toward the front door. He came
bounding out from his spot behind the chair... acting like everything is
fine. We are going for a quick walk. Please help if you have any
ideas.
Thanks,
Judy

Did you check for wounds? Might he have poked himself on something sharp in
the crate?

Pooping in bed always seemed to embarress my dogs when it happened. Goes so
much against soiling the bed. If he doesn't have to be in it, can you give
him a break?

Exercise is always good. For both of you.

Maybe, too, when you try the crate again, perhaps a couple of pieces of
cooked chicken tossed in to encourage him. And if his stools remain messy,
a special meal of rice and chicken is chicken soup for the dog soul.

And of course, if this discomfort persists, a call to the vet.

Sorry to hear it.

Kind regards,
(the)duckster

In article ,
Judith Althouse wrote:
I hope I will feel foolish about posting this tomorrow, right now I am
feeling anxious and trying not to let it show.

That's okay - I think we all worry when our dogs are acting
oddly.

Do you know how to palpate for physical discomfort (down the
spine, down the legs, etc.)? That's probably where I'd
start, from what you've described. I would tend to wonder
about back problems.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community

Phyrie said in part...
He acts like that when we put Advantage on him too, kind of crazy the
first day...
________________________
Phyrie,
I read your post last night before trying to go to bed and I
appreciate you taking the time to write it. You described the look when
you said Kiba acts like that when he gets Advantage.
Jack doesn't act like that, but I know what you are describing. Jubal
Early walks around like, what can I wipe this on. He gets topical
sprays for his itches and makes the same slinky, gotta get this off me
moves...same behavor when gets Advantix...


Be Free.....Judy

"Judith Althouse" wrote in message
...
Phyrie said in part...
He acts like that when we put Advantage on him too, kind of crazy the
first day...
________________________
Phyrie,
I read your post last night before trying to go to bed and I
appreciate you taking the time to write it. You described the look when
you said Kiba acts like that when he gets Advantage.
Jack doesn't act like that, but I know what you are describing. Jubal
Early walks around like, what can I wipe this on. He gets topical
sprays for his itches and makes the same slinky, gotta get this off me
moves...same behavor when gets Advantix...


I read your post last night Judy, but didn't have a thing to suggest. How
are things today? Is Jack still acting strangely? I was concerned about
you last night, but I have no experience with Pit Bulls.


td


Be Free.....Judy

Matt said in part...
That can do it, plus a probable (albeit unintended) attitude from you
during the clean up...
____________________
Matt,
You said that right, but it was not about the clean up. Larry came to
my room to tell me that Lady had diarrhea. I asked him how he knew it
was Lady, he said he had seen her poop like that outside. I suggested
to him if he ever saw any of my dogs poop like that to please get me.
Upon cleaning it up, you could tell it was from within the crate.
Poor Jack, I don't know how he managed to keep most of it outside. Lady
hasn't gone in this house ever! So, you are dead right, there was some
bickering going on while I was cleaning his crate.
I hope I can tell him adios when he gets back. (Larry) We are of two
different minds, but my dogs love him. He is fun, unlike myself
Matt, he would be content to sleep behind the chair will Lady forever,
but the truth is I am afraid of him. I have never seen him act like
this. (the growling and snapping). I have gone toe to toe with JE many
times. He does not scare me. Jack has always been aloof and different
with that blank look.
I left him outside las night. I made a bed on the deck. He was
asleep in a thicket of trees (fenced in). I called him, he did not
come. I got a treat, he came up on the deck and split with it like,
please don't make me go in the house.
I can trick him on that with your suggestion about taking him in and
out thru different doors when they were by-passing the new steps. (btw
the old dogs still do)
Thanks for your suggestions. He did go right into the crate that
first night after I cleaned it, he could hardly wait for me to clean it.
I thought he would resist the new bedding in there, but no. He loved
it. The trouble didn't start till the next day when he ran in and the
crate pinged, he yipped, and now he is a Jack that I don't know.


Be Free.....Judy