My long-haired chihuahua used to follow me everywhere. Always be in the same room with me and almost always sat with me. We have been together 10 years. About a year ago she started hiding from me and quit following me and hardly ever sits with me anymore. She is all the company I have as I live alone. I took her vet and she is fine. I don't understand why she quit liking me. She barks at me when she wants something and I go give it to her. I love her so much . She won't come to me when I call her. Could I have become a bad person without knowing it? I am at my wits end. I have no clue what to do.
Dog's Behavior has changed.
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It may be as simple as her eyesight and hearing changing as she is aging. What used to appear sharp may now look like a shadow or she may not hear as well. If you pick her up at all, she may find that uncomfortable so maybe it is that. If her eyesight is changing she may be more intimidated by you leaning over her.
I would go to the vet and ask for specific checks: Eyes, ears, hearing and sight and a senior dog blood draw panel including thyroid. I would also ask they assess her for arthritis and range of motion in joints as part of the physical examination. Is she fat? At 10 you want to keep her slim to help with any arthritis she might have.
I would go to the vet and ask for specific checks: Eyes, ears, hearing and sight and a senior dog blood draw panel including thyroid. I would also ask they assess her for arthritis and range of motion in joints as part of the physical examination. Is she fat? At 10 you want to keep her slim to help with any arthritis she might have.
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I agree - significant behavior change is always grounds for a thorough vet exam, especially in an older dog, because it can indicate that there's pain, cognitive decline (Canine Cognitive Dysfunction is a condition that occurs in older dogs and is similar to human dementia), or a health condition like thyroid problems that can cause serious behavior and mood changes.
All the good vets here have retired. I tried one and she did tests and said nothing is wrong. If my dog had any problems wouldn't she want to be with me to help her? Not staying away from me. She gets excited if someone comes to my house. Can't wait to love on them. I don't think I have changed, I love her even more than I used to. She hasn't been near me half the night and all day today.
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Sometimes a second opinion is necessary, just like with human medicine. If you can find a group on FaceBook or on an app like NextDoor that's specific for your area (even if it's the whole state) it can be worth asking for vet recommendations there.
What tests did your vet run? Finding something like thyroid problems or Cushings disease requires some in-depth bloodwork that's often sent out to be processed at a specialized lab. CCD - Canine Cognitive Dysfunction - isn't something that shows up one lab tests, but a good vet should be able to discuss her behavior patterns with you and evaluate whether it's likely she's having cognitive issues from that.
What tests did your vet run? Finding something like thyroid problems or Cushings disease requires some in-depth bloodwork that's often sent out to be processed at a specialized lab. CCD - Canine Cognitive Dysfunction - isn't something that shows up one lab tests, but a good vet should be able to discuss her behavior patterns with you and evaluate whether it's likely she's having cognitive issues from that.
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