Personality Change

[smokeyandme]

Our Catahoula Leopard dog is young. Maybe 1 or 1.5. Has always been good at the dog park. Everybody wants to pet him. Last week he started growling at some dogs. Today he lunged at an old dog. His owner was so upset, he asked which way my husband was going. He also has not wanted to eat much in the last 2 days.
He is neutered.
Thanks!

[JudyN]

The first step has to be a full vet check. Has anything happened to change his routine or stress levels recently?

Also, you say everyone wants to pet him. How does he feel about this? He shouldn't be made to tolerate it if he doesn't enjoy it.

[Ari_RR]

And while you are figuring this out, give that dog park a break... It's a stressful environment for your boy to be in. If he is around 1, he is in his adolescence stage, with fears, insecurities, pushing the boundaries, testing other dogs... Neutered dogs reacting aggressively to intact dogs is not uncommon too.
So, like any teenager, he is under a lot of pressure, and wild west environment of a dog park, with strange dogs, only increases stress. Him being neutered may actually be a contributing factor to his recent behavior.. How long ago was he neutered, do you know?

And also yes - everyone loves and wants to pet cute and friendly puppies, but when they grow into big animals - attitudes change, this is also not uncommon. Forget that dog park, at least for a while, take him on some nice long walks instead.

[Tauni]

That's about the age Jack started having trouble at the dog park. So we stopped going altogether for a month or so, and since then we go maybe once or twice a week. And avoid it when there are a lot of dogs.

[Wes]

Keep in mind too that Catahoulas are not always the best with other dogs. Mine will tolerate them, but does not tolerate rudeness. I agree with a full vet check (including bloodwork) and giving the park a rest. We may like the dog park but the dogs don't always.

[smokeyandme]

Thanks so much for your input. He actually has calmed down all by him self. He loves people, and when he's had enough petting at the park, he just runs off to play.
He has had a checkup recently, so I think he was just going through a phase.

[JudyN]

That's good news

You never know, he could have had a pain somewhere or not felt too good - there will have been a reason behind his growling but unfortunately they can't tell us!