Fitz isn't himself
Is this new behaviour because he's 15 months old and the ol' testosterone is kicking in do you think? Are behavioural changes typical at this age? Or is this because Fred is sick and the dynamics in this house have changed?  |
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| Testosterone or not, none of that is normal behavioral changes. A medical work-up might be in order though I'm not sure where I would start. You can do blood work and check thyroid function, but with that kind of thing it can be like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack.
I'd start by talking to his breeder. Changes in the household can definitely be stressful - how stressed are you? Beyond that, if I was his breeder I'd want to know if something like that was going on (!!) And if you explain the situation indepth he or she may be able to point you in the right direction. As for the food bowl issue, arm yourself with some tasty tidbits - I hope you have good aim  and start by walking casually by, not directly at, and (preferably without triggering the growl, because you don't want to be perceived as rewarding it), try tossing a nice little piece of leftover steak or something in his bowl. Don't make a big deal out of it, just keep walking. Do this very casually and pretty frequently until he gets the idea in his head that you approaching his food bowl means good thing. This is an easy way of dealing with the issue without escalating or forcing a confrontation.
Eventually, probably a couple of weeks give or take you should be able to read his body language and know he's relaxed about you near his bowl. At that point you pick it up, drop something good in it and put it right back down for him. A few more weeks and he should be delighted to see you approaching his food bowl. You don't have to keep doing this for life, but once he's stopped with the theatrics, every so often reinforce the notion in his mind by dropping an unexpected goodie in there. Kristine |
Thanks Kristine - I really like the suggestion for the food bowl approach, & the fact that it's not confrontational makes good sense. I've had a lot of people tell me that if Fitz growls over his food bowl, I should take his food away - which I did a couple of times and which I really think escalated the behaviour. So lately I've been trying your method with cat treats (Fitz's fav) but they're so tiny that they get lost in the shuffle, will have to try something larger so that Fitz might actually notice. 
On a scale of one to ten, the stress level in this house is about 20.5 - through the roof actually. Our worst fears have been confirmed, and Fred (my SO) has bile duct cancer & is due for major surgery next week. The breeder is very supportive - but she has her hands full with a new litter ... otherwise, I might even have asked her to babysit Fitz for a few weeks. 'Cause Fitz just isn't himself, poor little fella.  |
| sorry to hear about Fred - FItz is verylikely picking up on a changed dynamic in the house. best. |
| So sorry to hear it was bad news.
Good luck with everything.  |
| Oh I'm so sorry about Fred's diagnosis and impending surgery. You both must be so frightened.
Do you still need some help with Fitz? Maybe we can find someone in your neck of the woods? |
| Just wanted to say that I'm sorry about your news |
MAF, I'm so sorry.  Hang in there. We're here if you need us.
Kristine |
| Thanks all. These are tough times here, and I guess that our anxiety levels really doaffect Fitz. Our little dogs seem fine, not affected at all ... maybe they're just not as sensitive & intuitive as an OES, eh?
Fred's sister arrived here last night to stay for awhile - and Fitz is his usual bouncy goofy hyper self around her, so that's a good thing. And I've been considering finding a neighbourhood kid to walk him, maybe that'll help too. I think Fitz will be okay .... me - I could use some valium. |
| I have never had as empathetic a dog as my first male OES - you can also lean on him |
| Hugs and best wishes to you all through this stressful time.
I have found that a walk with the dog and the quiet time for hugs and even crying with your dog are priceless. |
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