[kristinwhatever]

Hello... I'm hoping someone might be able to help me with one of my dog's sudden, strange behavior. Chanel is a 7 year old dalmation/terrier type of mix. She's very sweet and generally quite laid back. For the last week or so, whenever we let her in the house from the yard, she doesn't want to lay on her bed, but will follow me around the house and then stand by the back door, wanting to be let out again. She then usually goes straight to her doghouse and lies down. The other night I made her come inside and then later found her laying on the tiled floor in the dining room, where she never lies.... she always sleeps on her bed in the family room. it is cool there, on the tiled floor, however, so maybe that explains it?? (I'm in St. Louis, fyi... so it's hot, and I'd rather she be in the house at least some of the time.)

Here's what background I can give you: Over the long 4th of July weekend, we went out of town so she and my other dog, a springer/brittany mix, went to the kennel for 3 nights to stay. They've stayed there before with no problems and the staff told me they were great again this time. I take their dog beds from home along too. I do know there were strong thunderstorms in our area at least one of those nights, but I've never known her to be afraid of that before. I started noticing this behavior of wanting to be outside though only after that weekend. She also pooped in the basement either the night after we got home or the following one (we're not down there very often, so I can't say for sure when it happened). And this dog never goes to the bathroom in the house. I don't know if she's maybe mad at us for leaving for the weekend? But she comes to me outside and wags her tail when I pet her so I don't think it's that. She also is a fairly healthy barker, and my husband, who is home a lot during the day, has noticed that she's not barking as much lately when she's in the yard. Her appetite has been normal as far as I can see. She also takes her rawhide treats willingly. Other random facts... We do go to my mom's in the country occasionally, and she has had some ticks on her here and there. (She's been on Vectra for that.) The kennel gave her a tick bath, in fact. We also have a 6 month old baby, and the baby is definitely getting a lot of my attention that used to go the dogs, but Chanel loves her, and has never shown any signs of jealousy. just interest and wanting to lick her.

I'm wondering if this could be a type of depression? She has no signs of an external injury. If this behavior continues, I'll take her to the vet. She just had oral surgery to have a bad tooth removed a few months ago though - to the tune of $900 - so money is a little tight. I can't really think of any more pertinent info... she just used to love coming in the house, hanging out in the family room on her bed near us, and now she just wants to be outside in her house, or, to a lesser degree, running around the yard checking things out.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated... thank you!!
kristin