Pet Forum / Miscellaneous / Animal Health / January 2008

Dog is beautiful black Lab, 8 years old.  Recently, he has developed a
reluctance, perhaps fear of entering certain spaces.  For example, he goes
into back porch sun room and "can't get back."  That is he won't cross the
threshold to come back into the kitchen.  When called or taken by the leash
to entice him in, he won't --"can't"--be made to come in.  Finally, he is
given a morsel of his favorite food and, eventually, he will reluctantly
come in.

There is no apparent reason for this unusual behavior.  We have another
dog--a female Weimaraner--and she has been with us for only about a year.
While they have been fast friends  and obviously friendly with each other,
we wonder if it is possible that our Lab--Teddy--may have become jealous of
her new position in the household hierarchy.

Teddy, plainly needs mental assistance.  If human, he would be taken to a
psychologist.  If one reads this, please contact us.

Thanks to anyone who may be familiar with unusual mental conditions.

Howard DeMere

Have you had your Lab checked for any recent physical changes, i.e. vision
or hearing?
Are there any steps involved in the sun room entrance/exit?
It is always a good idea to rule out physical changes before jumping to
"psychological" causes.

Margaret
(MA in psychology, experience with abnormal mental conditions in humans)

Dog is beautiful black Lab, 8 years old.  Recently, he has developed a
reluctance, perhaps fear of entering certain spaces.  For example, he goes
into back porch sun room and "can't get back."  That is he won't cross the
threshold to come back into the kitchen.  When called or taken by the leash
to entice him in, he won't --"can't"--be made to come in.  Finally, he is
given a morsel of his favorite food and, eventually, he will reluctantly
come in.

.......How do you know it's a mental condition?  Has the dog been taken to
the vet and had bloodwork run?  Always, ALWAYS rule out the physical before
jumping to behavioral issues.  Post back when you have lab results.

buglady
take out the dog before replying