Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I have a 5, 6 in July, Pharaoh Hound who is acting EXTREMELY weird. He has never been afraid of anything, and if so, he gets over it very fast. He is a confident dog.

I went for a walk and I got him into a heel position as we passed by a dog, which he didn't see, and he just started freaking out. I may have exasterbted it, by trying to force him to heel. However, he just kept acting like he had to get away, had to go. He's been like that ever since(since yesterday).

Whenever he is outside he wanders around looking about like something is going to get him, not like him at all. Inside, he will barely sit down and relax, hes a couch potato normally, because he is pacing around and checking out the window once in a while. I had a hard time getting him to go take a pee this morning, he kept wandering about searching for something, which was not there. I'm very worried, its not like him at all.

I was told to get a thyroid test, but I'm a college student and I don't want to "waste" money if it is a mental problem. I was also told to keep going for regular walks but act normal, dont let him think something is wrong.

What should I do? Does anyone have the same experience?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,
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Squeakey and Sethius Apophis-will work for lights

He is the age for medical problems to begin to show that didn't show before. It is classic for a dog to have fears that seem unrelated to physical problems, but ARE. The dog can't tell you how he feels, plus he may not be aware of what doesn't feel right. It sounds like a veterinary checkup could make a big difference, and the sooner the better. Behavior becomes habit as time passes, and then you have a permanent problem to try to solve.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Thank you for your input. I have no idea how this made it to the "hot topic" menu. Especially when one person responded to it.

Anyway, like a Pharaoh, he has become himself in a rather quick amount of time. I also recieved advice from a dog trainer who said simply: Wear him out till he can't go anymore! Which an hour or so on a bike ride, then rest and a walk did. My hound is back to whatever "normal" for a Pharaoh may be.

Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it nevertheless,
Sheena and Sethius Apophis-will work for lights

>>He is the age for medical problems to begin to show that didn't show before. It is classic for a dog to have fears that seem unrelated to physical problems, but ARE. The dog can't tell you how he feels, plus he may not be aware of what doesn't feel right. It sounds like a veterinary checkup could make a big difference, and the sooner the better. Behavior becomes habit as time passes, and then you have a permanent problem to try to solve.
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>>Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47