Jakey_Boy Posted January 8, 2019 Report Share Posted January 8, 2019 Hi everyone, I have a ten month old Border Collie called Jake - he was a rescue dog who we got at 6 months old. We've crated him since day one - it's never a punishment but it's always been where he sleeps and also a 'time to chill' zone, so, if he was a bit over excited, we'd pop him in there with a frozen kong or a chew for 1/2 an hour to an hour and then let him out again. About a month or so ago he started settling of his own accord on an old chair in the kitchen so I've been encouraging that (I work at home). But he wouldn't settle in our lounge unless he had a kong. However suddenly this week he's decided to settle in the lounge both during the day and in the evening, often without anything to chew. I'm a musician and, for the past four months, he couldn't be in the same room when I played guitar or sung as he'd start barking, but now he suddenly doesn't seem to mind. There is another old chair int eh lounge which has an old duvet on it and that's where he's decided to settle - the duvet was previously on the floor as his space as he doesn't seem to like sharing space with us - he'll growl if he sits next to you on the sofa and doesn't like being moved so we stopped letting him on our furniture straight away and allow him his own space. He had an upset stomach a couple of weeks back but I put that down to us increasing his food (he was looking a bit skinny to my eye) but, once we put him back to the previous amount of food it settled down and everything is now ok. There was some evidence of worms in one of his stools today but, having spoken to my vet. they assured me that the treatment he's on (Endectrid) keeps the worms at bay and that the roundworm I found today meant that the treatment is working as he's passed it. He's due a health check and a 6 month worm next month and they told me not to worry. He gets an hour walk in the morning and an hour's walk at lunchtime (about 4-5 miles total for me and more for him with all the running!) and he's as active as ever on those walks. He eats his food with no issues and, when he's up and about, he's fine, not stumbling or anything like that. So, my question is - has he suddenly learnt that it's ok to chill out in the lounge after a month or two of us working towards that or is he poorly after the upset tummy and possible worms? I'd love it if he has suddenly worked it out but I'd feel awful if I was happy he was chilling when he's actually sick! Oh, and here's some photos... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denice Posted January 8, 2019 Report Share Posted January 8, 2019 Start with taking his temperature. Should be 101 to 102F If he is acting and eating normally otherwise with a normal temp and normal stools then I would keep an eye on things. If any one or more of those is off then a vet visit is in order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandy1961 Posted January 8, 2019 Report Share Posted January 8, 2019 Maybe after he was ill, he feels happy and secure with you. He certainly looks comfortable and perhaps he is beginning to enjoy music. I play music to our Harry, who is nearly 8 months old. He is also skinny, but is getting bigger and heavier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Parkey Posted January 9, 2019 Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 Obviously, you monitor his health carefully so continue doing that. At that age, a puppy's behavior can change very quickly. A critical bit of maturation occurs, and something that was an issue a week ago suddenly isn't any more. Since he is a rescue, he may be recovering from past problems that you don't know about. As long as he seems healthy to you and your vet, just enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icaraa Posted January 9, 2019 Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 Wow he looks almost identical to our Ben, who is 9 months old. This last couple of days he’s also started to settle down of his own accord in the living room. I was painting upstairs and he was happy enough to just lie down there on his own. In the past if he knew I was in the house he’s have to be with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jami74 Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 Our boy is nearly ten months and has recently been more settled. He still has his 'busy' times and when he is moving it is with a lot of energy, but he seems to be spending more time laying around quietly. He also seems to have suddenly got cleverer so maybe he's got more to think about and doesn't need to be constantly on the go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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