“He just doesn’t seem himself”

Nothing dramatic has happened. He’s just different. Quieter, or more restless. Grumpier when touched. Less keen on walks. You might put it down to age, and age may be part of it. But many of the changes we put down to “getting old” have a cause that can be treated.

What “not himself” can look like

• sleeping much more, or restless and pacing at night
• grumbling, growling or snapping when touched, lifted or disturbed
• reluctant on stairs, jumping into the car or getting up
• slower or shorter walks, or wanting to turn back
• withdrawn, or suddenly clingy
• new fears: noises, the dark, other dogs, being left
• accidents indoors, or seeming confused in familiar places

Why the vet comes first

Dogs hide pain well, and it often shows up as a change in behaviour rather than a limp or a yelp. Veterinary behaviourists estimate that around a third of their dog cases involve some painful condition (Mills et al., 2020). In older dogs, sore joints, teeth and backs are common, and changes in sight, hearing and the brain itself can leave a dog more easily startled or unsettled. Many of these can be eased with the right treatment.

Getting the most from the vet visit

• Write down what’s changed and roughly when it started.
• Take short videos of the behaviour at home, such as getting up, the stairs or the restless nights. Dogs often behave differently at the vet.
• Mention everything, even things that seem unrelated: drinking more, sleeping in a different place, a change in appetite.
• Ask about pain relief and, if worry is part of the picture, whether medication for anxiety might help alongside other changes.

Small changes at home

• Non-slip rugs on hard floors, and a ramp or step for the car or sofa.
• A supportive bed somewhere warm and quiet, away from the household traffic.
• Approach so he can see and hear you coming, and wake him with your voice rather than your hand.
• Keep routines steady, and walks shorter, slower and sniffier.
• A night light can help a dog who seems unsettled in the dark.
• Ask children and visitors to let him rest and to let him come to them.

When behaviour support helps

Once your vet has checked him over, behaviour support can help with what’s left: rebuilding his confidence, adjusting your routines and home around what he can now manage, and making sure worry doesn’t settle in as a habit.

Further reading

• Mills, D.S. et al. (2020) ‘Pain and problem behavior in cats and dogs’, Animals, 10(2), 318. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020318