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Originally Posted by StewiesMom  Thanks for the tips--some I will definitely use. His behavior sharply declined--it wasn't a gradual thing.
I consider myself a very experienced dog owner and am baffled at his behavior. I did have him checked by a vet--a full blood panel and muscle tests. Everything checked out perfect. I even went to a second vet to get a second opinion to my wallet's dismay. I luckily work from home, so I have him out and playing every hour--whenever I get restless behind a desk myself. I stay out there until he pees. When I get up the next hour or 1.5 hours to take him out again, there will be a small puddle in the living room. Like, whatever he could squeeze out since he just went. Luckily, I have all hardwood floors 
His vision is definitely not going. He is just spiteful and mean all of a sudden. I know it sounds stupid, but I truly believe it. I was wondering if he is going senile. He attacks visitors when they LEAVE, not come. He attacks the cat in a mean way now--they used to play fight and it was very charming. Now I am afraid for her.
What Diane said really struck a chord...I am going to have to start doing de-alpha dog training. Not free feeding, not sleeping in bed with me, off the furniture, and working on keeping his mind stimulated learning tricks. He definitely thinks he's the boss.
Thanks ladies for the tips. The thread on barking is great. He knows ENOUGH and QUIET, but not how to bark on command, so this might work on him.
If anyone else wants to chime in on anything else, please do because I am feeling empowered to get the behavior in order, but can use any more motivation and support so I don't strangle him.  |
He mostly likely is not being spiteful or doing it out of spite. If this is a sudden change. You did right going to the vet and double checking with another vet. What did they say about his hearing? Our old black lab had to be put down just before Christmas. His behaviour changed about a year before his final decline.(spinal problems) He barked more and louder as his hearing went, it seemed someone moving made him jump, because he didn't hear them coming in. Sudden movement, had him jumping out of his skin, due to the hearing loss and he went quite senile also. He'd appeared to forget what he was doing half way through doing it. Stare into space for ages, then seemed to come out of it. He also started pooing, accidently...when walking or sleeping. Eventually peeing also.
Any chance the movement of the visitors leaving, is confusing your dog, startling him in some way?
I hope you find a solution. It can feel as it's personal, but it's not. Going back to scratch with the training is a great idea, here's hoping that works for you.