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sajjw · Aug 1, 2009, 07:18 AM

My three and a half year old male irish setter has changed his behaviour over the last six months. He is a lot quieter around the house and he often goes and rests during the day in his crate which he has never done before (i.e. used his crate when he wants to rest). He still enjoys his walks and his agility classes and gets excited when visitors arrive, but is less playful generally. Maybe he has just grown up a bit but I can't help but worry in case he is depressed. I can't think of anything in particular that he could be upset about as nothing has changed in his life.

shazamataz · Aug 1, 2009, 08:17 AM

If nothing drastic has changed around the house then he could just be calming down as he gets older.

It happens, they can be playful little puppies then all of a sudden calm right down.

Has anything happened to make you think he is depressed?
Longer hours at work? Strange people staying over?

A vet check is always a must to rule out medical problems but they are strange little critters, if he is still happy to see guests and still loves his agility he might just like his quiet time at home.

sajjw · Aug 1, 2009, 08:23 AM

Thanks Shazamataz and no, nothing has happened, its just the change in him I am concerned about. I don't work and he is rarely left and no one new has stayed over. I think he may be jealous of his daughter. She is 18 months old. I'm sure she doesn't get more attention than him though. Maybe he has just grown up a bit.

shazamataz · Aug 1, 2009, 08:47 AM

He might be a bit jealous, but at 18 months it would be a bit strange for the jealousy to start now.

I know I use my moms dogs as an example a lot ( :) ) but she has a poodle like that, she was completely feral then one day she just decided she was going to calm down.
She stopped playing with toys and just mopped around the house, she was still as excited as ever at visitors though.

Then she had one that was the opposite, she was always a quiet puppy then at 4 years old (only recently) she has gone through a second childhood running around with toys and being naughty.

I guess dogs have mid life crises too :D