My dog has gone nutty - advice please!

sudzs

I have a 12 year old collie type male (not neutered) Over the last week or so he has begun to act very strangely and it's disturbing to say the least. At night while he is snoozing on and off by the fire, if I move my feet on the rug (they would be anything from 3 - 5 feet away from him) he snarls very agressively. :eek:

It's almost like night terrors or something. He stops when I stop moving my feet! Last night out of curiosity I moved my feet closer to him and he attacked them in the same way he goes for the hoover IYKWIM. It's as if he doesn't know it's me or that the feet are mine!! When I put my hand out to him in the middle of him going for my feet he stopped. So it's just my feet that are freaking him out. (and no, they do not look or smell particularily strange or bad!! )

So any ideas what could be causing this? It's really out of character for him to act like this, apart from with the hoover of course! Could he be developing some brain disorder or is it just old cranky snappy collie syndrome?

I will of course take him to the vet if it continues but wondering if anyone else has come across this behaviour before and any advice appreciated.

golden

Perhaps his eyes are starting to cloud over and he can not see very well so is defending his area. Best really to go to a vet and get checked out.

sudzs

Thanks for the reply, and yes, he has been developing cataracts for the last 2 or 3 years allright. But this behaviour is just happening in the last week and his vision hasn't become suddenly very bad in that space of time.

Tabitharose

yes but (depending on where you are in the country) the last week has been a very stressful week for alot of pets with fireworks which could have him on edge....... I'd recommend a quick vet check too

macshadow

A bit like this? only this dog snarls at his own leg:D

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=meRhtGYBFw4

I could watch these for hours

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=pUWd4j2T-RQ

palaver

A 12 year old collie? He is simply growing old and developeds strange behaviour, as grandads do.

My friend's collie (14 years) got deaf and a little bit slow - sniffs at corners for ages, walks slowly, growls at anything out of routine and can't be bothered with any excitement anymore. At first she was irritated because she didn't know what's going on, hence, maybe, the feet snapping in your case. The mental capability detoriates, too.

Imagine how old people react, or not react or react in a strange way. Anything out of the ordinary upsets them. Any strange movement could be a danger.

Dogs grow old, too, you know. Not necessarily a reason to go to the vet. Just a bit of understanding that perceptions and brain functions of an old dog are changing and that he has to adapt to it as much as any human.

Just don't move your feet - at least not quicker and more unexpeced than he can follow it ...

P.S. When I'm snoozing in front of the fire I wouldn't like to have some smelly or not smelly feet shuffling around. I want peace and quiet

sudzs

A bit like this? only this dog snarls at his own leg

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=meRhtGYBFw4

I have a headache now from laffing!!!

...and yes, that's what he's like with me feet! But only in the evenings... he's fine all day long, just his usual self. Last night in a well lit room I walked towards him and he really went for it again. So it was obvious it was me, and that the feet were mine! But I had to pull him off 'em by the collar and put him in the kitchen where he just looked at me peevishly. Even a week ago I would have been able to walk by him with no reaction but now he's like a dog posessed!

I understand he's getting older but he's as bright as a button, mentally and still full of life for walks, toys, treats etc.

Anyway, thanks for the replies, including the inevitable quips about my foot hygiene!!! I'll see how he goes this week and maybe take him for a check up. I'm just afraid the vet might have the view that a snapping dog is better off put to sleep. And I certainly don't want to have to tippy-toe around the mutt in steel toe capped boots!