sudden change in his behavior
Rusty followed me everywhere until last week. He does not seem to be in pain, but he will not climb the stairs to go to bed without a lot of coaxing, and then he may or may not do it. He also used to sit on my sofa with me, but now after a lot of patting the cushion next to me and calling him, he will jump up but will sit on the very edge and almost fall off. He has a type of liver disease, which means a restricted diet, and has cataracts forming on his eyes. I cannot figure out the sudden change in his behavior. He appears to be able to see OK, as far as I can tell. He seems afraid of heights now. Do you have any suggestions as to what may be wrong?
I really don't believe your dog is being neurotic, but rather is reacting to real physical changes he is experiencing. It sounds as if Rusty is suffering from some insecurity as a result of his declining health. While it might seem as if he can see all right, he actually may be experiencing changes in depth perception and even balance. Naturally this would result in some reluctance to move about with the same confidence he once had. It is important for you to be supportive and not to take these changes personally or as rejection. I am sure Rusty is frustrated, too. Try to make accommodations as necessary for your dog. Communicate as much as possible with your veterinarian and follow any directions that might help with your dog's medical conditions. As for the psychological aspects, consider getting a children's bedside railing (used to keep toddlers from falling out of bed) to place across the front of one side of your sofa. Put pillows against it to make it seem solid and to create a safe "nest" for him for when he is up with you. Try lifting him up rather than expecting him to jump. When he is up with you, you might try keeping him on a leash to prevent him from jumping down and to add a little more sense of security. As he begins to realize he is safe, he'll probably regain some of his old confidence about being up with you. You might try walking him up the stairs on a leash, but don't force him. If he is really frightened, either carry him up or make a sleeping place for him downstairs. You most likely will continue to have to assist him in areas of life in which he was previously self-sufficient. Try to make him feel you don't mind, and help him feel as safe as possible.
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