New Member

Posts: 2
From:Show Low AZ United States
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-29-2003 12:52 AM         

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I have a huskie malamute mix, and it all of a sudden started acting really wierd. He barks and yelps all night, and he walks backwards and kicks up dirt and seems kind of skiddish around humans. If anyone can help it would be much appreciated. thank you

David

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Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 07-29-2003 10:54 AM         

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Take him to a vet...you need to make sure it's not a physical issue first. Secondly, think about what may have changed in his environment recently, new neighbors, new hours at your job, new house mate? Does he only do it at night? It could be something simple like you have a new resident under your house(racoon?). Whatever it is, he is trying to tell you something and it's good that you are listening.

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Posts: 536
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Registered: May 2003

posted 07-29-2003 11:07 PM         

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hi, a sudden change like that in behavior is a cause for concern. definitely take him to the vet for a check over. By being skittish around people maybe he is trying to protect himself because of an injury.

What is his age? Dogs and pups go through critical periods and stages -- fear period, adolescence, maturity, all can have a effect on your dogs behavior.

Is he neutered? If not a nearby female in heat could be why he is barking and acting different.

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Posts: 2
From:Show Low AZ United States
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-30-2003 12:29 AM         

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Thank you for all the help, i will get him into a vet as soon as possible. As for his age he is just about a year old, and he has been neutered. And about the racoon thing, do you think a skunk could upset him like that cause i think we might have a skunk in our backyard? thanks again
david

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Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 07-30-2003 12:46 AM         

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Hi David,

I'm not an expert...lol, but my dog acts like a maniac if a squirrel is in our yard, in fact, if you say the word outloud...he runs to the door and has a fit until you let him out so he can search the yard. We have come to call any squirrel "Gideon". He hasn't caught onto that name yet. Both of my dogs will act up if any other animal is in our yard. You said he was a year old though, and like Jas said, pups go through stages, my 8 month old has become very protective of me in the last month, he doesn't like people he doesn't know to get close to me, we are working through it, I take him everywhere with me, even work, so I think he will get past it with training and experience. Lastly it really is a concern when a dogs behavior changes suddenly, what Jas said about him being skittish is true, he could be trying to protect himself from a painful bump so it would be best to be sure that he is ok physically first, then go from there.

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Posts: 1179
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 07-31-2003 12:40 PM         

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Maybe its just that huskey nature to get out and run like mad. Any females in heat in the area. Or those little varmints that come around certain times of the year. Racoons, skunks. they only come out at night.

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Posts: 16
From:Pennsylvania
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-05-2003 08:25 AM         

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I would defidently have him seen by the vet to make sure that there is nothing wrong with him health wise. I personally think that if there is a skunk in your yard it would be cause for some strange behavior but I'm not sure why that would make him skiddish around people. Good luck and let us know what the vet says!

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