Odd dog behavior?

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Hailey has been acting odd over the past couple of days - it's like her personality has done a complete 180.

Hailey used to be very independant and always busy doing her own thing and not the kind of dog that wants to cuddle.

The past couple of days, she has been obsessed with Lauri. When Lauri sits in a chair, she's immediately on her lap. When Lauri is in bed, shes curled up right next to her.

Usually Hailey and the other girls hang out in the den during the day while Reilly sleeps in with Lauri. The girls are a lot more playful than Reilly and tend to roughhouse a lot so they prefer being in the bigger rooms. Today when I left for work, Lauri said Hailey started barking her head off. She wouldn't let up until Lauri let her in the bedroom with her. She took her back in the den after about an hour because she looked hot and uncomfortable on the bed, but as soon as she walked back to the other side of the house, Hailey started barking non stop. Once she's with Lauri, she has to be touching her. Lauri tried to scoot her over in the bed and she immediately crawls back to her side.

After almost 3 yrs of being fiercely independant and wanting to spend the day romping in the den (okay, its more like a doggie playroom based on all the toys), what's with the sudden insistance of being attached to Lauri like velcro? She just looked at her and let out a little moan/cry.

Has anyone ever had a dog who's personality did a complete 180 practically overnight?

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Lauri is your wife, right? Some sort of medical problem came to mind.

Is there something the dog is possibly sensing that as a human you're not? It seems like she's being fiercely protective to me.

That, or there's something the dog is trying to tell you because she's not feeling quite right.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd say there's either something wrong with the dog or oyur wife. And I am not being sarcastic. Dogs can sometimes sense medical issues in their owners beforte we humans even know there is something wrong with us. There are dogs that sense seizures.

I'd take the dog to the vet to rule out anything physical with her. If she checks out OK, then keep an eye on Lauri.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Right, Lauri is my wife. She has an autoimmune disease that has really bad episodes. Actually, Reilly was the one that warned us of an episode where Lauri was critically ill and didn't realize it. Her muscles were shutting down.

Hailey's never really been that in tune to Lauri's illness though. Reilly anticipates the flares and Tinker can tell where the inflamed joints are and she licks them (like her ankles or knees) but we always figured she could tell because her joints actually get hot during a flare.

Right now Hailey is tucked under Lauri's arm and looks back at her every five minutes or so and lets out a wimper.

Hailey seems okay herself. When she goes out to go potty she runs laps around the yard like a gazelle.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Judging on her behavior when she just went out, Hailey is definitely not sick. The dog was running like the wind. And considering she was a lame puppy with patella luxation that virtually disappeared, it's pretty amazing

The dogs are making Lauri very paranoid right now though. Hailey keeps looking back at her a whimpering. Now Tinker is sitting by her side staring at her with a worried look on her face. And of course, Reilly is by her side 24/7 rain or shine. Lauri actually came home sick from work yesterday because her fevers were out of control (spiking once an hour). She went to bed and slept through most of the day and felt a little better. Today was her day off but I can feel heat coming off her head so I know she's spiking fevers again. I guess that's what the dogs are sensing. At least I hope it's just the fevers and not anything worse like what happened 2 yrs ago.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

You all will be in my thoughts tonight. Keep us updated.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Could the dog be sensing your worry and responding to it? That would be my guess.
You can keep a stiff upper lip for your wife, but your dog sees all. Can't hide it from them.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I agree, Hailey may very well be sensing something wrong, or that Lauri needs her somehow. I think female dogs are especially in tune to that. The afternoon that my hair began coming out during chemo, my female dog amazed me. I was softly crying in my downstairs family room; the day I'd dreaded for so long had finally arrived. Kayla had not been well herself, she was exhibiting signs of a brain tumor but we were hoping that wasn't what it was. She hadn't been down the stairs in days, unable to navigate them. So there I am sitting there by myself, when I hear someone coming down the stairs. I wasn't sure who it was and couldn't believe my eyes when it was her - my girl. She sat in front of me and stared at me for 3 hours. It was such a comfort to have her there, I really didn't want to be around anyone else that day. She was that in tune to my mood that she gave me that last gift (she went to the Bridge later that week ).

Could it be that Lauri is upset about something? That could do it, too. Hope she's ok.

 

[FroggyinArk]

matt , definately keep an eye on lauri, doigs and cats are great diagnostic tools, seriously, if i am having a bad day, either in pain or mood, shadow kitty will stay gglued to me as long as i am home, even to the point of making other kittys get off the bed should i take anap, i can always tell when my joints are going to give me problems the next day by where the cats sleep,, if they curl up on my ankles and knees, i may well need my cane the next morning.

and keep us informed, tell her we're praying for her if ya dont mind.

 

[bevtoy]

The dog or your wife may have physical issues.
DH and I had a cat that adored only him.
When our first baby died (still born) I swear that cat for 6 weeks laid in my lap and was like my shadow, she knew I was hurting and comforted me, then went back about her business and ignored me again! We had that cat for 18 years.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Linda, that was such a touching story about Kayla. Thanks for sharing it.

This is a lot how Lauri and Reilly grew their bond. He was originally my dog until that September when Lauri's CPK rates skyrocketed and the only one that knew it was him.

Lauri had been very upset over something late last week, I think around Friday. A bully issue that hit her hard.

Right now Reilly and Hailey are competing over who can get closer to Lauri. Reilly has his head on her forehead and Hailey is laying on her chest and moaning and whimpering.

This is actually getting scary.

 

[snowwhitesmom]

Your pup may just be in tune to Lauri's fever. How are Lauri's spirits today? Maybe Hailey senses if Lauri is sad..........

 

[snowwhitesmom]

Just read your above post - please give Lauri a hug for me.Tell her I have ice cream!

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Now you made me want ice cream and we don't have any.

 

[piglet too]

I agree with the others that she is just in tune with Lauri not feeling well. Maybe this time just clicked with teh dog for no real reason. I will be keeping Lauri in my thoughts.

 

[kaylajr]

Good Dogs

give them and extra treat for me

I hope that what they are sensing is just her stress over last week

which by the way I hope she is feeling better about

if the fevers keep spiking and the pups keep acting weird

tell her I said time to check in at the Drs

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Lauri did say this morning that due to how she has felt over the past few days and the fact that the fevers are coming 10-20 times a day instead of 2-3 times a day that she is going to call one of her doctors. She isn't sure which one and she isn't sure she's going to mention the dogs reaction to her because she is afraid they will think she is looney.

Not sure if she will get in to see them this week or not, her Rheumatologist is pretty popular.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

Big hug for Lauri. Sounds like you have some wonderful dogs.

Hope all is well!

 

[Rajah]

I agree -- good dogs.

Sometimes, the dogs can get our loved ones to do something they wouldn't otherwise do. Definitely have Lauri call a dr.

Y'all are in my prayers, and keep us posted!