Why is she so lazy

catz · 09-19-2011, 09:54 AM

Rio is over a year old and she has started to get lazy. She snuggles in her bed most of the day or just wants to lie on the couch with me. When we bring her for walks she will run around for about 15 min enjoying life but then will come back beside me for the rest of the walk. She just strolls at my speed with no interest in chasing a ball or playing with other dogs we know. She'll lie down every time we stop to. I knew she was calming down a lot from her puppy years but its like she is aged 7 years in the space of a few months.
I can ramp her up with a bit of tug but she loses interest quickly and brings her toy with her to bed for a nap.
We were at the vets recently for a check up and she got a full bill of health. She was bouncy in the vets, eating and pooping fine and is a good weight (shes always been lean).
My OH thinks its great (hes a couch potato himself) but I want to see a bit more life in her. We were planning on joining an agilty club but right now I think she'd go to sleep in between the weaves.
I realise shes not a high drive dog but she is a German Shepherd, surely it cant be right for her to spend her life asleep?

Bridget · 09-19-2011, 10:19 AM

I'm no expert, but to me this just doesn't sound right. I might go to another vet for a second opinion about her health and tell them these things.

PaddyD · 09-19-2011, 10:29 AM

She may be hypothyroid. It doesn't sound right but if her health is OK then be grateful that she is not too demanding. Try the agility, she might surprise you.
My dog is also low key (not as low as yours) but when something interests her she
is very high energy and has good endurance. Maybe you haven't found her 'thing'.

Freestep · 09-19-2011, 10:33 AM

Send her this way.

I have a crazy adolescent puppy and a 10 year old who thinks she's a crazy adolescent puppy... "couch potato" sounds rather refreshing!

catz · 09-19-2011, 10:41 AM

Thanks for the advice. I think we will try another vet, a second opinion cant hurt. I will sign up for agility training and see if the enthusiasm of the other pups will inject some life into her. I want to increase the length of our walks but shes just not into the whole putting one foot in front of the other.

catz · 09-19-2011, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freestep

Send her this way.

I have a crazy adolescent puppy and a 10 year old who thinks she's a crazy adolescent puppy... "couch potato" sounds rather refreshing!

Lol my OH agrees with you. He says I shouldn't complain and if she wants to sleep I should let her instead of bringing home bags of new toys to get her excited. I just imagined life with a GSD to be more tiring for me and not her.
I want to post pictures of her adventures but they are all the same, curled up on the couch snoring or looking at me through half closed eyes.
The only time I see her wild is when my OH's brother comes to visit, then shes up bouncing and wooing with happiness.

09-19-2011, 09:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
catz Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ireland, Kilkenny Posts: 444	Why is she so lazy Rio is over a year old and she has started to get lazy. She snuggles in her bed most of the day or just wants to lie on the couch with me. When we bring her for walks she will run around for about 15 min enjoying life but then will come back beside me for the rest of the walk. She just strolls at my speed with no interest in chasing a ball or playing with other dogs we know. She'll lie down every time we stop to. I knew she was calming down a lot from her puppy years but its like she is aged 7 years in the space of a few months. I can ramp her up with a bit of tug but she loses interest quickly and brings her toy with her to bed for a nap. We were at the vets recently for a check up and she got a full bill of health. She was bouncy in the vets, eating and pooping fine and is a good weight (shes always been lean). My OH thinks its great (hes a couch potato himself) but I want to see a bit more life in her. We were planning on joining an agilty club but right now I think she'd go to sleep in between the weaves. I realise shes not a high drive dog but she is a German Shepherd, surely it cant be right for her to spend her life asleep?

09-19-2011, 10:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
Freestep Knighted Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,092	Send her this way. I have a crazy adolescent puppy and a 10 year old who thinks she's a crazy adolescent puppy... "couch potato" sounds rather refreshing! __________________ Luka von Sontausen, CD Vinca von Sontausen, CGC Freestep's Beluga Whale, BWD

09-19-2011, 10:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bridget Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,401	I'm no expert, but to me this just doesn't sound right. I might go to another vet for a second opinion about her health and tell them these things.

09-19-2011, 10:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
PaddyD Banned Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MassaCHEWsetts Posts: 5,222	She may be hypothyroid. It doesn't sound right but if her health is OK then be grateful that she is not too demanding. Try the agility, she might surprise you. My dog is also low key (not as low as yours) but when something interests her she is very high energy and has good endurance. Maybe you haven't found her 'thing'.

09-19-2011, 10:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
catz Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ireland, Kilkenny Posts: 444	Thanks for the advice. I think we will try another vet, a second opinion cant hurt. I will sign up for agility training and see if the enthusiasm of the other pups will inject some life into her. I want to increase the length of our walks but shes just not into the whole putting one foot in front of the other.

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