[KevinsKennels]

I had a thread in here a while back about my "sluggish" pup. He's a 9 month old lab and just recently started doing everything at a slow pace I mean he's 9 months and should be bouncing off the walls.. I had him vet checked for everything (I.e. worms, hips, eyes, allergys etc) and everything checked out perfectly so I switched his puppy food to another brand to see if that would help but still no luck. Any ideas on what to try next???

 

[Larry Thompson1]

What do you mean by sluggish? I mean is he in slow motion in everything he does? Or is it when he's retrieving?

 

[Chris Atkinson]

Kevin,

Is he sluggish when he wakes up first thing in the morning? What times of day are you seeing the sluggishness? If he is sluggish during training sessions, what has he been doing during the day prior to the training sessions.

I ask these, because it may possibly be a case of a dog that's playing with other dogs, playing with kids, maybe running loose in the yard during the day....then when it's training time, he's not in the right excited frame of mind. (because he's already had his own kind of fun and he doesn't need the training session fun)

A buddy of mine with a young pup just went through this exact situation and I could not at first point him in the right direction. This turned out to fix the situation. He now crates pup for a while prior to training sessions and his excited, focused puppy is back.

Chris

 

[KevinsKennels]

Everything. When we go to the woods shed hunting he just trots everywhere when we retrieve he just trots. Never a run. And he gets tired so fast if we do anything then he just walks after about 30 Mins if anything we do...his ears are usually down by head and only has a little wag in his tail (unless its feeding time lol) just very concerned for him.

 

[KevinsKennels]

I only work with him during the evenings when I get home from work. I have been kenneling him seperatly for the last week to see if this helps but still no luck. Would not taking him out for a few days be a good idea or not. I just don't want to wreck our routine....maybe I work him to often...im not sure..

 

[Trevor Toberny]

Sounds like lack of desire to me.

 

[KevinsKennels]

That's exactly what im afraid of :-(

 

[KevinsKennels]

Maybe some live birds will bring back his desire..

 

[Rainmaker]

This is a sudden change? He was of a normal active level until recently? 9 months, he could be going through a growth stage and just be more tired physically, I guess. But, a sudden change in attitude/activity is troubling. You say he gets tired fast and walks, what is his actual breathing like? Does he pant heavily as if out of breath?

I guess I'd want to do a bit more checking into his health maybe, run some blood, do a tick panel, maybe some xrays if he's really that down and out. It could be over training, a stage he's going through, boredom, he's wearing himself out doing something else all day, like kennel pacing, lack of stamina, without building up his conditioning, lots of things, without being able to see your dog, tough call.

 

[KevinsKennels]

He goes back to the vet on friday for some more blood work and a heart x-ray. Yea he used to be a very energetic pup but he is finally growing some legs on him he used to be all body lol. His conditioning should be great since we go on "wood walks" shed hunting pretty regulary up and down ravines and gully. He honestly never pants, mouth is typically shut when doing anything except for when he does retrieve his bumpers...

 

[rbr]

You posted the question about pedegree and breeding, this could be the problem. Some just don't have it in them.

Bert

 

[KevinsKennels]

You posted the question about pedegree and breeding, this could be the problem. Some just don't have it in them.

Bert

He used to have a heart and determination of a champion that's why im so concerned about this sudden lack of energy.

 

[BlaineT]

does he do the work? and just real slow...

but like the above stated. it does happen. Some just dont have it in them.

 

[Rainmaker]

He used to have a heart and determination if a champion that's why im so concerned about this sudden lack if energy.

Any sudden change in a dog's activity/attitude is worth being concerned about, so good for you to keep trying to find the source, if there is one, and not just write it off to lack of desire right now. I would personally just not work him for a few days, see your vet again Friday as planned and go from there. He could be being a teenager or could have a physical problem, kind of have to rule out the latter before you can make some determination.

 

[ErinsEdge]

I would do a tick panel and thyroid panel.

 

[KevinsKennels]

Oh trust me I will move heaven and earth to find the cure if there is one (I hope there is) but for the tick thoughts, its been winter in MN, do you think he could still pick up ticks?

 

[Larry Thompson1]

Have you given him some clipped wing ducks to chase? If not try it and see if that doesn't get him running. I would suggest not too long as you are not sure if its a medical problem or what it is. Hope you get this figured out.

 

[rbr]

Oh trust me I will move heaven and earth to find the cure if there is one (I hope there is) but for the tick thoughts, its been winter in MN, do you think he could still pick up ticks?

Lymes is a tricky thing. It can hide in the system then rear it's ugly head months later.
Even if he has one neg test it can be missed. Get another test to be sure(That goes for people too)

Bert

 

[MooseGooser]

Are YOU fun to be with???

Do you dance when nobodys lookin???

Are you stuck in a tiime period for wardrobe.?? (try PINK)

Sometimes Ya Gotta "take a Different road!!!

Same place shed Huntin???

If Ya dont find nothin,,, Try takin him to tuff shed,, and just walk around the show room!!!

Hope this helps

Gooser

 

[JusticeDog]

I would be very concerned if this is a dramatic change in behavior, which it sounds like it is. I would also include a round of doxycylcine (It won't hurt and can only help) (yes, ticks are now in abundance even in Chicago - didn't get cold enough long enough to kill the suckers) and a chest x-ray.

Change your routine up a little and play with him, too. Squeaky toys, etc.