Hello. I have an 8 yr old Rhodesian Ridgeback mix male. I have had him
since he was just weeks old and of course throughout this "life together" we
have had our ups / downs. But for the most part he is a pretty good
'primarily indoor' good, but defensive at times, and I have had him in
basic puppy training when I first got him, which we passed : ) Anyways, he
is unusually reserved and solitary as of recently. If there are people over
or I say the 'walk' word, he is full throttle ready to go, or mention
outside and he bolts. When he is outside it takes some convincing to get
him to come back in. Which has always been pretty normal. But recently
when he is laying around the house, he always goes some where I am not to
lay down. Now he has never really been a lap dog, but he used to "hang"
with me. If I go to sit in the computer room, where his bed is, he leaves
the room. If I go into the living room to watch TV he goes to the bedroom,
and today I found him sleeping in the basement. And it is pretty quick, if
I enter the room and just grab something he will stay, if he senses I will
stay awhile or sit down, he leaves. I praise him and pet him when he is
alone and tell him he is a good boy and try to pet him when we are in a room
together. But now he seems like he avoids me unless there is something for
him, or some activity going on. As this is my first dog (and a very
challenging, "different" breed) I am a little perplexed. Is this an aging
thing ? What could this be signaling (besides my bad breath : )?

Thanks in advance.
Tim