[emily.lhln]

I have a 7 year old choclate lab. We've had him since he was a pup and has become a fantastic family/hunting dog, until recently. His new attitude problems have me at my wits end. He will no longer sit stay or laydown when told. He now waits for me to stop what I am doing walk to him and push his butt down (not forcefully). He used to be fine with sitting in the back of the truck for as long as neccessary without being tied in. Now even if leashed he will chew, thrash, whatever it takes to hop out of truck if we're out of his site for a few minutes. The tempeture is not high he has his bed, food and water. I'm scared that one of these days he will blow his shoulders out escaping as it is a tall truck and he ways about 150lbs. I can think of nothing that has changed to make him become so stubborn. He's never been left alone for long periods of time, either at home or in the back of truck. We do not spoil him with human food, he gets a couple hours of playtime with us throughout the day and swims nearly every day with his pit bull buddy. I used to take him for long walks at the river so he could get all those exciting smells and pee on everything in site, but now he seems to feel the need to walk me. My little man has become a turd!

[reeskujo]

Your dog is considered a senior at his age and if he's 150 lbs that a little over weight for a Lab...I would suggest taking him to the vet and having his hips checked...Just like all large breed dogs Labs are prone to hip problemssuch as dysplasia and arthritis...If he''s having pain in his hips that could explain the change in his sttitude and why he doesn't want to ride in the truck anymore...

Dogs are pretty good at hiding when they're in pain and sometimes the only sign you'll see is a behavior change...

I would definitely reccommend taking him to the vet..

[DoggieVogue]

I have a 9 year old lab and her behavior started changing around the same age as yours. I feel like as labs get older (or any dogs in general) their temperaments can go through changes as well as their body. My dog got finnicky with other dogs and she previously loved other dogs when she was younger! I wonder if it's just part of getting older... We just went back to basic training to reinforce the skills.