My dog is acting weird and clingy after a fight. Is he okay?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Nate! I think an important first step is to have your Vet examine Nate. He could be painful at the site of the bite, despite no outward wounds. He could have neck (muscle) pain like whip lash or be generally sore. That could explain the lack of energy and slowly coming down the stairs. I strongly feel that you need to be sure he is actually healthy before considering this a new behavioral problem from being attacked. Most dogs aren't overly traumatized mentally after getting in to fights but it is possible. If your vet finds nothing wrong with Nate they can discuss anti-anxiety medications and behavioral modifications to help him get back to normal. Good luck!

Any abrupt change in behavior without a known cause should be investigated by your vet as soon as possible. Sometimes this is the only sign we get of a medical condition. The behavior could be due to feeling ill, being in pain or may be because of a developing neurological condition. Your vet will do an exam, labwork and possibly some diagnostic imaging, x-rays or ultrasound to determine the cause for your pet's change in behavior and, based on the results, will be better able to advise you on treatment options.

That's a difficult situation! It could be the two changes in environment is a little stressful for him, and he may need a few more days to settle back into his normal routine. Dogs can get stressed when they leave home for a bit, stay in a new place, and then are returned to their normal home. I would give him a few more days to see if he returns to normal, and if he doesn't, I would take him into the vet for an exam. Sometimes, a medical illness such as an infection or injury can cause a dog to act differently from normal, and it would be good to rule that out if he's not back to himself in another couple of days.

Sorry to hear that Sammy isn't acting like himself. Given the unusual behavior he is exhibiting, I would say that it is a good idea to have him examined by a veterinarian for any less obvious irregularities. Some of the possible causes for this type of behavior is stress, pain, or generally feeling under the weather. The veterinarian will hopefully be able to isolate the possible cause of the issue. Hope this helps.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If he is fine otherwise then this is likely just a transient change. It may be due to something that has changed in the environment. Please check for anything that may be causing him to be different such as new tall objects in the house that may be causing to be scared. Best of luck!

This may be from the stress of a new routine since you had to leave him. For some dogs, it is not uncommon for them to get lethargic and even have a decreased appetite due to changes like this. If he is not back to normal with in 24 hours of your normal routine again, then I would have him checked by your vet

Have Spring examined by your veterinarian. Sudden behavioral changes can be indicative of illness or injury. Abdominal x-rays may show bone or skull fragments (or not). This may convince your neighbor of your dog's innocence. You likely won't be able to change your neighbor's mind otherwise.