Samson's goofy nights

[mruffruff]

This may be a long post. Please bear with me.

Samson is an older dog that I rescued 2 1/2 years ago. He sleeps with me as does Bear.

For the last 2 weeks, Chiquita has also been sleeping on the bed. There is plenty of room since she's so small and Bear is small too. This week Samson has been refusing to get into his place on the bed when I'm ready to turn out the lights. I don't push the issue. He finds a dog bed and settles into it. Then around midnight I hear the shower curtain rattling. When I get up to investigate, there's Samson, standing in the tub staring at the faucets.

In a few minutes he gets out and goes back to his bed-of-choice.
I wonder how long he'd stay there if I didn't check on him.

He's always shared the bed with other dogs (and even a cat). There are 3 other pemanent dogs and often a foster so I don't think that has anything to do with it.

He also tries to get past the gate to the livingroom some nights.

Has he been taken over by Greta Garbo (I Vant to be alone)?

Mary

[mruffruff]

Well, he has a new wrinkle.

At 59 pounds, he's decided to try to get UNDER the bed.

What's with this guy?

Mary

[Logan]

Mary, I'm sorry to laugh, but the mental picture of him standing in the bathtub, starring at the faucet is so cute!!! I have no idea what to tell you about the problem though. Maybe he'll just start sleeping in the tub. Some dogs love it!!

And 59 pounds, under the bed is a bit much!!! I guess if he isn't keeping you awake, I wouldn't worry too much. But you might try putting his bed, right beside yours. Perhaps he'll learn to sleep right there. Lilly sleeps in the same spot on her bed beside my daughter's ever single night. Sometimes she beats Helen in there!

[sabies]

Poor Samson! It is hard not to laugh at the mental pictures brought up by your story. Sounds like he's trying to tell you something but who knows what. Maybe he has a special issue with Chiquita. Putting his bed next to yours sounds like a good idea. Hopefully he'll get over whatever issue he has!

[mruffruff]

It really IS funny to see.

There are beds on both sides of my bed so he could sack out on either of them. There are also two other dog beds in the other end of the room as well as a loveseat for the dogs. (I sorta spoil them!)

He *has* slept on the bed with both Bear and Chiquita at the same time. If he has issues with Chiquita, why would he have done that? And last night Chiquita slept on the floor because she was spayed yesterday.

I thought maybe he wanted to get away from everyone, so I led him to a table that he used to sleep under. No go. He finally slept with his nose under the bed and the rest of him sticking out. I couldn't convince him to get ON the bed. I missed his heat--it got cold last night!

He's supposed to be about 13 years old, according to the rescue group. He sure acts like a grumpy old man.

Mary

[sabies]

I don't know which is funnier, picturing him staring at the faucet or sleeping nose only under the bed. Has he been checked by a vet? 13 can be very old for some dogs and if he's in pain he could be looking for relief in strange places. Or maybe dogs can get alzheimer's? I hope not but I don't know.

[mruffruff]

This is the big goof.

[Logan]

Bless his sweet heart. I'd love to give him a huge hug right now, Mary. All jokes aside, please let him know he is a privledged senior in my eyes and deserves a huge hug and a kiss.

[Sudilar]

AWWWWWWWW, what a cutie!!

[lizbud]

Samson looks so Precious in that picture !!!

I have no idea why he could be acting strangely?
Have to admit my first impulse would be to laugh at
the sight of him in the tub...but dogs don't do things
'for no reason'. I 'd love to know what it is...
I think I've read of a doggie dementia in older dogs
or dogs who suffer a head injury. I'd sure like to know
what ideas Carrie might have. Give the sweet goofus a
big hug & kiss from me. Thanks. Liz.

[carrie]

Given the age of this dog I would guess that it is age realted. Dogs live much longer than their wild relations ever would and do suffer many of the degenerative ailments that affect us. I would give him some space and allow him to sleep where he feels secure as long as the vet checks him out as healthy. Be aware of his behaviour changes and watch for signs of distress or anxiety. (For peace at night keep the bathroom door closed to prevent him getting in the bath.)
It may be an eyesight problem so try not to move too much around - again your vet will be able to tell you more.
(Paddy's long range eyesight is starting to fail and on a long recall I have to jump around waving my arms and keep up the vocal signals - he stops a couple of times on his way to me to reorient himself. It can be pretty funny on a windy day and is part of life that needs adjusting to.)

[mruffruff]

I appreciate all the helpful suggestions. I'm not sure there's a solution, however. I think he's just very insecure.

He slept with me Wednesday night and so did Bear, but not Chiquita. Last night he slept on the floor again. He now follows me when I go into the bathroom or the kitchen, right on my heels.

He had his annual check up in early January and all was well.

I never thought of his vision, but I will have that checked. He does tend to bark at every little noise, so it may be that he can't see well.

Or maybe he's just a goofy dog! Love him anyway!

Mary

[RachelJ]

My Tizzie (now at the Rainbow Bridge) had did have a doggie dementia at that age. Now that I think of it, she would try to crawl under the bed at night and then get stuck there and not be able to find her way out. She also did a lot of pacing and would end up in corners or under other furniture, like a chair or hutch. I do hope this isn't the case with your dog and that he is simply unused to the new sleeping arrangements and will get again find a place that suits him.

My Hannah is very finicky about fresh water. When she wants some she will go to the bathroom and scratch on the base of the toilet, even though she doesn't get to drink out of the toilet, she has somehow associated the toilet with fresh water. Sometimes she will just stand in the bathroom by the toilet. When I sense that she is in there, I get up, fill her dog bowl with fresh water and she gets her drink and comes back to bed.