Lazy, stubborn or what?

[shellyk]

Maybe this should go in Obedience but... Our male Newf McGee, almost 3 years old, that we rescued almost 18 months ago has started to lay down in front of things and won't move. He blocks doors, the bottom freezer portion of the refrigerator, and the gate to the kitchen. He will also lay down when we try to put on his harness. He wants to go but can't until the harness goes on. He also won't get in or out of the car. He also either won't go outside or come back inside with the other dogs. He is on my last nerve!

My husband had ankle replacement surgery 3 weeks ago and this has disrupted our normal routine and that may be the source of his behavior but I don't know - the other dogs are taking it in stride. Sometimes I can lure him with a treat or a high sweet voice but sometimes he just won't budge! Any suggestions?

 

[Jager's Mom]

Maybe something hurts? His knees, hips, back? Possibly physical rather than just stubbornness.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

I am wondering pain too.

 

[shellyk]

I was thinking pain when he wouldn't get in the car... but when I finally get him harnessed and into the car and out to the park he runs his butt off. I don't see any limping or lameness. Afterwards he is tired but not overly. He has no problem getting out of the car at the park or the beach but when we get home he needs a personal invitation to get out of the car and then he lays down in the garage and doesn't want to come in the house! As for jumping up and down off the couch he seems ok too. When he goes outside in the yard to play tug, bitey face and get rambunctious with our other Newf he doesn't appear to be in any pain either. Then when it's time to come back in he stands there and looks at me without moving. I am almost thinking to try more NILF - nothing in life is free with him. I kept all the dogs out of the kitchen this morning while I was making up their breakfast but that isn't any kind of logical consequence for him. He doesn't know it's because he won't get out of the way...

I will keep your suggestions in mind to make sure that it isn't that he isn't in pain or doesn't feel good. It seems like he wants more attention and I don't want to start any bad habits that have to be undone with treating all the time. When he won't move out of the way of my husband on his push scooter I can't just ignore him.

 

[shellyk]

I took McGee in the car to the park after work tonight. He got into his harness and in and out of the car reasonably well. I don't think he's in physical pain. I kept all the dogs out of the kitchen again making their dinner just like at breakfast. McGee really didn't like this. He was whining and barking. Normally he just lays on the kitchen floor. I think our change of routine with my husband's surgery is what is bothering him. Since his ankle replacement he has been spending all his time on the other side of our house with the cats. He can't risk tripping on the dogs especially in the middle of the night. He also isn't taking them for walks during the week like he used to. I have been trying to keep up but I only take 2 out of 3 dogs at a time and sometimes don't make it to all 3 every day. After they ate he pushed his way back in the kitchen to lay down and since has been at my side like velcro. I think I am going to ask my husband to try and spend more time with him during the day even if it's just sitting near him. Also I think he will always be 1 of the 2 dogs that goes out for a walk or to the park. Maybe being left home is effecting him too.

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

It sounds like you've most likely figured out the problem. It definitely sounds like he's telling you that he needs more attention. If he's used to your husband being around him and he's not, that could absolutely affect him.

Ruby gets that way when my husband is traveling. She is glued to him when he's home, and him being away for a few days really irritates her.

Hope your husband recovers soon!

 

[NinaA]

I think you have the answer. Although it is a Newf thing, laying in doorways and in front of appliances is a smart Newfy way to get attention. They also don't like change. We found out when our last "other" dog died. Moonlight was very disrupted when the routine changed and she was an "only". All the new normals took a couple of months or so for her to handle. Even things like no more gates and she could sleep anywhere in the house she wanted to was "strange" to her. She still has trouble figuring out where to sleep at night and will wander the house for some time before settling. My husband sometimes has to stay up with her until she's ready to settle somewhere. So, anything you can do to help him adjust will make him (and you) feel better.