Too lazy lately.......

[Michael C.]

Sasha just turned 3. For the past 6 months she has been staying inside (out of her crate) while we are gone. Usually 5 or 6 hours. She does fine and sleeps all day. Only thing is she is very lazy lately and sleeps allot more. I have to wake her up when I get home! No more greetings at the door. Is this normal? It has been in the mid/high 90's all summer so she doesn't go outside except to go to the bathroom and a 2 mile walk in the evening.

[Bruce Lanthier]

If there are no medical reasons then perhaps you could raise her activity level some more. It seems she has adjusted to a low activity level and if you add some stimulating activities you will probably see a change in attitude. In the summer when it's hot our dogs tend to slow down but that doesn't mean they have to. In the evening instead of just walking try getting her to chase a ball, even a little. Do you play tug? You can get a tug game going and throw the tug and let her chase it. Perhaps she'll bring it back (to try and tug more) and she can start learning "bring". In the summer the are hot and don't want to do much but we really should try and maintain some activity, even if it is only in the am and pm when it is cooler. I will take my dogs out in the rain and play as then it's cool and wet and they like it. I can hold the umbrella in one hand and tug and throw with the other. Sometimes I just get wet and cool too though.

[Homerhomer]

Michael funny you mention it because our dog has always been like that. Had me worried because I never had a do like that. When I get home and he is in his sleeping mode(which is most of the time) he either gets up slowly and lays by my feet and sometimes he doesn't even get up. If he isn't sleeping then he greets me with happiness.
I thought of many reasons but finally decided he is simply lazy. He does have a bad hip so I thought he maybe sore or something but I doubt it, we changed his activity level (up & down) no changes, blood work came ok so there are no other problems with him. In the morning I usually take him for a walk at 7am, at that time he would rather stay inide and not go, sneaks into his crate to catch extra 2 minutes of sleep, but on the weekend when we can sleep in a bit and I take him for a walk at 9am or so he is excited to go.
Go figure.

[Michael C.]

Funny, It is actually nice since she was a very hyper puppy. When I get home today she will be on the floor sleeping. She will open her eyes when she hears me open the door and probably roll over on her side and wait for me to pet her. She like sleeping under our bed too. She barely fits. She has to lay flat on her belly with her hind legs straight behind her (reminds me of a frog) and then drag herself with her front claws under the bed.

[Homerhomer]

Just to add what is even stranger with my dog is that when at home he seems to be more excited when strangers come over, but that's probably the stimulation of something new or exciting that Bruce mentioned.
Michael with your dog the age may have something to do with it, at 3 years old she is fully matured and ready to simply chill oud and watch TV:D . Crazy teenage parties may not be for her anymore.

[TrishB]

They bring up a good point. Get her examined by your vet first. You want to make sure there are no medical reasons for her lethargy. So that should be your first priority.

You did say it's in the 90s where you are - and Rotties don't do well with the heat. Laying on the cool floor and not running around helps her to keep cool - so it's not so surprizing that she's not very active.

You've also gotten into a routine now. She knows that routine, she knows when you're coming, she knows it's you! I'm sure if you mix up your routine, you'll find her a little more interested.

You should try to get her exercising more (in the evenings when it's cooler). The more exercise she gets, the healthier she'll be, the higher her activity levels - just like us! ;)