Strange New Behavior, Please help.

[Piper_Girl]

Hello, in March of this year we adopted a 6-year-old female German Shepherd from the local animal shelter. We also have a 7-year-old male we raised from a pup. Both a are fixed. Piper, the female has always been very affectionate, playful and happy. She has never been destructive or misbehaved. It's like we adopted the perfect dog. She loved playing with the other Shepherd and obeyed very well while on a leash. She also loved stuffed animals, and would greet us every day with a excitement. She always had some degree of anxiety. No matter how long we were are away...5 min or 3 hours she would carry her stuffed animal about and be overly excited to see us. She has brightened our life and we love her very much. There are four of us in the home and she is never left alone very long. No one mistreats her and receives plenty of attention from everyone.

About a week ago she began to display some changes. At first she stopped playing with her stuffed animals and the other shepherd. She also became more hyper while outside during her walks..walking faster and not listening to my commands. Her appetite decreased and she became less affectionate. Then she began to stay in the bedroom...and refused to come out. She also started hiding in the dark basement...and refused to come out. We had to carry her out of the basement and outside to pee. Her appetite slowly decreased as well. Today is a new change, she will not leave my side and is obsessed with being outside. I have been taking her out more..giving her more exercise and time outside.
She is not at all interested in the other shepherd and will not come in the house if he is by the door. She is not interested in her stuff animals. She is drinking and eating fine today. She is not growling or showing any signs of aggression. Although she does appear more anxious than normal. I see no physical problems with her. I will contact the Vet tomorrow (Monday) and get her an appt. ASAP. But it's like she is a completely different dog. Does anyone know what the problem might be? Has anyone experienced something similar?

[sagelfn]

I am totally guessing here but I would have thyroid checked and maybe a vision test.

[Piper_Girl]

Thanks, never thought it could be her Thyroid, I'm sure that could cause behavioral issues, I will bring up both issues with the vet.

[Castlemaid]

I was thinking along the lines of Brandi. With such sudden and extreme behavioural changes, it could be a thyroid problem.

[JakodaCD OA]

something else I'd ask,,when you are gone, are they both loose in the house together? Could he have done something to her, that is now making her rather afraid of him?