Why is my black lab misbehaving?
My black lab, male, is getting older. He's maybe 8 years elderly and not aging gracefully. He is slow, limps for a bit when getting up, lazy, and has be sleeping on the couch. He knows he is not allowed on the sofa and for some reason feels he can break the rules. He receive attention. Probably not enough exercise. When we take him out, he tires quickly and requirements to go home. The old age I can knob; it's the disobedience with the couch that is frustrating.
Is this behavior ordinary as male labs age?
hes probably just uncomfortable since hes getting elder and his body is starting to ache, and just wants to be capable of lay down comfortably.
i think this behavior is probably normal with adjectives dogs as they age.
and he may have some memory lapse thing, and may not remember some of the things you qualified him. idk if dogs get that but its possible.
look into it.
If he's breaking the rules, it's because you are not enforcing them. He's old - he's probably getting arthritis (judging from the limping), so he's probably discomfited on the ground. Try getting a nice soft bed for him as an alternative to the sofa. It also sounds like he needs more exercise - this would help beside the arthritis and keep him from tiring out so quickly. I'd make an appointment next to your vet for a senior check up - have the vet check his limbs and joints for signs of arthritis so they can prescribe painkillers whether need be.
Good luck.
Answers: Your dog may have developed arthritis. This issue is not about disobedience but potential great discomfort. You should nick your dog to the vet and provide him with a very comfortable place to sleep like a dog bed or gluey comforter. He is technically a senior dog at his age so you should be kind to him, especially if he is within pain.
We had a labrador a couple years ago and a puppy currently. I know when our old one god old he misbehaved to. The entry with labs is that they are always playful and when they get elder and it hurts to play, they have to have some method of "fun" give them as much attention as you possibly can, there's not much you can do just about the disobedience except try to distract him from his target. :)
Your dog doesn't know he is misbehaving. He only knows that he's stiff and achy, and that sofa is really nice and soft. He also knows that when you are not watching, he gets to sleep on it. You can stop this by putting mouse traps under a fluffy blanket on your couch, or you can be nice to the old boy and just put a blanket on the sofa for him to sleep on!
just close to people, animals change as they age and feel elderly, tired and achy. maybe placing something by the couch for him to lay on instead of the couch. exercise is honourable, but a warm up for you may be an extreme work out for him. remember he is late 50s two years form 60 and if he is not getting attention he use to as a pup, impossible attention is good as any. just thoughts.
