Ask DS Braintrust

[jacksbuddy]

This is probably better suited for the Gun Dog forum, but I need some advice that I am afraid is going to hurt.

For 10 years, Jack would not be bothered when the lap yapper tried to steal his food. In fact, he would let him. Recently, however, he has become more aggressive about his food. Maybe this personality change is because he has become an old dog. Maybe it is a side effect of the tumors I've mentioned earlier. I don't know.

This morning, when the lap yapper tried to move in on the very last bit of his food, Jack d@mn near bit his head off. I mean growling and snarling and snapping at him.

For those of you who have experience with Labs, should I take this as a signal that he is in pain? Will it get worse? I need some advice fellows. Thanks.

[Hayes]

Has he shown any aggression toward people?

If it were me I would not be much worried about him letting the other dog know that this is his food, even if he has never done it before. If he started acting differently toward people I would start getting concerned. I have had a lot of dogs both aggressive and laid back and have seen them all get a little territorial from time to time especially where food is concerned. Just my .02

[Smoke68]

My dog has gotten a lot more ornery in his old age, that's for sure. Just like some old humans I know.

[jacksbuddy]

Has he shown any aggression toward people?

No he hasn't. But then, the only people he has really had a chance to be around lately is me and Daddy's little Angel. (Mommy has been too busy with school lately to spend much time with him, and the In-Laws are afraid of ALL dogs. Apparently, they think that the lap yapper will somehow morph into some sort of toxic 4 headed monster if ever they venture into the realm of the back yard. Go figure.)

My main concern is whether or not this behavior is a side effect of the tumors we are dealing with. (I talked about them in more detail in an earlier thread.) Because if it IS a side effect of those, then I am afraid that this behavior will worsen.

[Odis]

I've been around a few older dogs (labs) and a lot of them get a little ornery later in life, if it's more than that, ask your vet.

[donia]

our old dog (mutt, not a lab) has gotten much less tolerant of the younger dogs (cocker twins-boys) and even growls if I happen to be standing behind her at the counter while she is eating...I notice it in myself as I age (less tolerant of ig'nant lil bastages!), so I give her a break.

sounds like jack's "polish" is wearing off as he ages, as my wife says of herself, and he just doesn't care to be overly-polite to the lap-yapper, anymore!

[mfalkner]

Get his thyroid checked. In older dogs it can lead to aggression.

[DuckBoat]

I have seen it in many different breed of dogs as they get older. May be ornery with strangers, kids, or other dogs that would used to never bother them.

[booger]

It ain't gonna get better, sorry to say. Seen it before, there's no need to type out my long winded examples.

My personal theory is that yes, it is due to pain. Many are hunted hard, just as hard as we hunt, old hips, arthritis, knee joints etc. take a beating. He may have chronic pain.

One vet I spoke to also offered a dementia theory (age realated) that I had not considered.