Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For almost a month now, my 8 year old lab (Cody) has been reacting strangely when my brother's friends come over.
The first time was when his friend needed to stay the night.
Cody seemed to hyperventilate, heavy panting and wanted to stay outside. He never willingly stays outside.
He seems very attached to my brother, who has been at home for the past year, so has had all his attention.
We were wondering if this is some form of jealousy, or maybe something else.
Cody has known these guys for years and has never reacted this way to them before.
Any opinions and insight would be greatly appreciated.

Just my thought.

Panic attack with stranger? To many people at one time or more noise and confusion than they are used to. Some dogs don't like changes in there normal routine and not sure how to handle it.

Cheryl

It would make sense if he didn't know them, but like I said in the previous post...he's known them for years.
Plus the guy that stayed over when the first "panic attack" occurred, has done so many times before.
Thanks for replying

Has there been any behavioral changes with the people involved... by that I mean are they smoking cigarettes where maybe they didn't do that before or perhaps something else like a job change that have different smells? I had a dog a few years ago that simply would not take to one of my nieces and the only thing we could figure out is she was the only one that smoked.
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

He hasn't smoked in a while.
But then we've known him he has smoked, and no reaction.
He did just recently change jobs, and its in a totally different type of area.
Thanks for the suggestions, some of this might help.
We have been trying not to give him extra attention when this happens.
Tonight (southern hemisphere: it's 10:54pm now) he stayed in the house while our friend was here, so I think that's a positive step at least?

I would strongly suspect a physical health problem going on with the dog. Be sure to have him checked carefully by your veterinarian, and before the exam, tell the veterinarian about the behavior changes.
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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

Now you're worrying me.
After the first time it happened, we found out that he had ear infections and hot spots on his neck.
He also recently had knee surgery to reconstruct the cruciate ligaments.
What is puzzling is that the strong reaction with this one friend but he seems fine with the others.
He'll be in the same room with the other 2 frieds but the second the one that gets the reaction comes over, he goes out.

I forgot to mention that this friend also recently got his car back and various parts had to be replaced.
Our initial thought was that it was the car that got the reaction.
Cody's fine every other day. No reaction when he's not there.
Other people can come and go as well, as far as I know and no reactions.

He does have pain, then. He may be reacting to the one friend because he associates pain with that person. Perhaps that person has petted him in such a way that it has caused pain in an ear. And/or, perhaps that person has greeted him in such a way that the dog hurt his damaged joint.

Do have his veterinarian check him carefully. And I would suggest a slow, gentle reintroduction to that person. Here is an article that will help:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1612&S=1&SourceID=47

and this one:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1761&S=1&SourceID=47

and this one:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1811&S=1&SourceID=47

Once you figure out what behavior in that human friend worries the dog, and get the cooperation of the human to never do it again, and to help you show the dog that things have now changed in that way, the dog may be comfortable around him again. But watch that the dog is not put into a pain-causing or worrying position with ANYONE. If there are going to be several guests, consider giving the dog a very comfortable private place to hang out inside away from the group.
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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

Thanks so much for all the suggestions.
He is due for a checkup in the next week or so for his knee and I was strongly considering bringing it up with the vet.
Will definitely do that now.
Will keep you all posted if anything develops further, or if a conclusion is reached.

Some progress with this situation.
As I type this, Cody is in the room with me and all 3 of the friends that trigger this behaviour are in the house.
He was outside for a bit, but didn't go out immediately after hearing them arrive.
So no panic attack