When a dog changes its behavior suddenly, it is often a reason for concern. In general, a dog will not alter its attitude just because it feels like it; there is usually a reason. It is up to a responsible pet owner to figure out what the reason is and to contact a veterinarian if necessary.
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Facts
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Dogs are quite sensitive. When they are happy, unhappy, stressed or not feeling well, they will communicate this to their owners through their behavior. While animal behavior can be difficult to decipher, it is worth spending the time to do so, as a dog may be telling you about an illness it is experiencing, a situation it is not pleased with or something that is causing it to be fearful.
Types of Change
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Animals can display many different changes in their behavior, states the Veterinary Partner website. Such a change can include a usually fit and active dog now suddenly wanting to sleep all day. A usually sweet middle-aged dog may suddenly start growling and snapping at you when you reach towards its head to pet it. Or a usually social two-year-old dog that always wants to be the center of attention is now hiding under the bed. Obviously, this type of behavior is not normal and should be addressed.
Causes
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Sudden behavioral changes are often due to a medical condition. Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, could be the reason for a sudden lack of energy in a dog. An ear infection could be the reason a normally sweet dog wants to bite your hand off every time you come near its head, suggests the Veterinary Partner website. Not all changes have to be medically based, however. For instance, a dog might hide under the bed because it is afraid of a new member in the house, such as a baby, or even a new piece of furniture.
Diagnosis
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If a dog starts to suddenly behave differently, evaluate the pet’s circumstances. Did it injure itself while playing one day? Has anything changed in the household? Have you been stressed yourself lately? Did you switch brands of dog food? If you cannot determine a cause for the change, you should probably consult a veterinarian. The doctor can take blood tests to look for medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism, and give the dog a thorough examination to look for any other possible problems.
Treatment
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Medical conditions, such as thyroid disease, can be treated. Behavioral changes that are brought on by environmental factors may be harder to deal with, as there is no pill that will take the animal’s stress away. The Paw Rescue website states that a change in the owner’s routine is often enough to cause behavioral changes. If that is the case, you should try to pay more attention to your dog. Take it for walks and devote as much one-on-one time to your pet as possible. It could be that all your dog needed was a little TLC.
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