Posted: 6/11/2014 4:07:23 PM EDT
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My dog is about 14 y/o (we adopted her from the SPCA 13 years ago and they estimated her to be 1-1.5 at the time). At her last checkup the vet estimated her age much younger than it really is and said she's in great health.
For the last couple of months she has been squeezing into really tight places. My wife has a desk with her sewing machine on it. The dog crawled under the desk with the chair in place. Our TV is on a stand in a corner. She got behind it twice, although you wouldn't think there is enough room for her to fit between the cabinet and wall. She has also been unusually clingy, staying close to me. For example, as I type this she is standing next to my legs. She sometimes gets under my desk while I'm sitting at it. Any thoughts on what might be causing this behavior? |
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I was hoping for any reply but that one.  OP, I am in a similar situation, my Aussie is probably at about that age, we have no idea, but his behavior is slowly changing, he used to be clingy, now he prefers to not be up my ass all the time. I say no matter what, enjoy the time you have right now. |
I too am dealing with this. I have a chow mixed we kind of took in after people we knew abused him. He is around 15 years old now. Damn good dog. He has been super clingy in the house under our feet, laying on our feet, sticking around in the rooms we are in. But when he goes outside we have to watch him as he tends to wander off. It sucks watching our pets/ family members grow old. Its part of it I suppose  I'm sorry to hear of your dog growing old as well.
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I was hoping for any reply but that one. Hope what you want, it doesn't matter, your dog is being clingy because she loves you, love her like today is her last day, then if you are wrong, love her like tomorrow will be her last day, repeat as necessary, because someday, it will be true. When that day comes, you will not have to say "gee, I wish she knew how much I loved her, I hope she knew, anyhow". You won't have to say that because you will know, and so will she... so will she... |
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Hope what you want, it doesn't matter, your dog is being clingy because she loves you, love her like today is her last day, then if you are wrong, love her like tomorrow will be her last day, repeat as necessary, because someday, it will be true. When that day comes, you will not have to say "gee, I wish she knew how much I loved her, I hope she knew, anyhow". You won't have to say that because you will know, and so will she... so will she... Quoted:
Quoted:
I was hoping for any reply but that one. Hope what you want, it doesn't matter, your dog is being clingy because she loves you, love her like today is her last day, then if you are wrong, love her like tomorrow will be her last day, repeat as necessary, because someday, it will be true. When that day comes, you will not have to say "gee, I wish she knew how much I loved her, I hope she knew, anyhow". You won't have to say that because you will know, and so will she... so will she... Well said... 
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Suddenly clingy usually means there's some kind of stress/fear. discomfort, or loss of cognitive function of some sort that tells her instincts to lean closer toward safe than center. I'd spend more time with her but don't write her off just yet it could be an adaptive change to simply getting older ya know.
It's a swat in the dark but my jack russell mix (1 of 3 dogs) started acting the exact same way and never stopped about 3 or 4 years ago when my gf moved in. She listens to me, doesn't listen to my gf as much tries to convince my gf she's a cat LOL so gf can be impatient with dog at times and gf almost certainly intimidates the dog causing that kind of behavior. It's a swat toward left field but I'd consider if any environmental changes occurred recently like new dog, people, construction, neighbors, visitors, cleaning lady, (break in while both away?) etc. It's tough in the latter years I know..wanted to chime in with another perspective as things sounded pretty gloomy thus far which isn't certain. Wishing you and her the best. |
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Thanks for the thoughts, all of you. Since her last checkup was good, we'll just carry on day to day. Bumped into a guy at TSC yesterday that said he had one of his Dobermans live to be 18 years old... Sometimes dogs live a LOT longer that they are 'supposed' to live by the statistics. 
Guy had been a Doberman owner for 20 years or so and the last one lived so long and he became so close to it over the years he could not stand to get another Doberman after that.
Lady that runs our local DPClub had one live to be 17... One thing to consider if you happen to have a dog with exceptional longevity - Vet bills and regular 'maintenance' WILL be higher and you need to plan (save) accordingly. Dogs with a relatively short lifespan don't 'generally' require dental work during their 'normal' lifespan if fed the proper diet - But a dog that lives to be in his teens WILL require dental work (cleanings / exams and such) as he gets older regardless of diet... Just one example of 'things you need to plan for' with an older dog. |
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I was hoping for any reply but that one. The clinginess is probably age-related, though it isn't necessarily a harbinger of impending death. As your dog gets older, it may not see, hear, smell, or move as well as it used to so it feels vulnerable. That alone can explain the clinginess and getting into spaces where nothing can sneak up on it from behind. Still, your dog isn't young, so spoil it while you can. If you're open to it, I'd also investigate in-home euthanasia services in your area. When the time came for me to say goodbye to my lab, Rock, I had a vet come to my house (Thanksgiving morning of all times), and while it could never be easy, it was much easier on both me and the dog for him to just go to sleep on his bed, in the living room, than to have to load him in the car and drag him to the emergency vet. |