What, You Need an Invitation?

[group6]

Java just turned 11 and Nicky is 3 1/2, both neutered male Pit/Lab mixes. I raised Java from 8 weeks and I rescued Nicky at 6 or 7 months. Java has always been "independant", sometimes sleeping in the basement when Im elsewhere in the house, stuff like that, Nicky always sticks to me like epoxy. So whenever Im relaxing I'll be laying on the bed, reading or watching tv with Nicky sprawled out on the bed too. Java will come and go as he pleases. He is very vocal, he'll bark, whine, yodel, sometimes he sounds like he's telling a story or something, his "sentences" are so long. For a few months now, he will just stand at the bottom of the stairs and bark his "I want attention" bark. He will not come up the stairs until I say "come" or "cmon" or "whats the problem, get up here". Only then will he climb the stairs and jump up on the bed. Its not like he wants to go out or wants to play or anything else I can think of. It really seems like the human equivalent would be he wants an invitation. It's kinda odd behavior for a dog in general and especially for him. Anybody ever see something like this?

[group6]

Not one comment, stupid question I guess. Sure seemed remarkable, enough to ask.

[dogs4life]

Maybe Java needs permission or reassurance, just his way of saying "what now boss?" Has he been reprimanded for something lately? If so, that would explain why he's checking with you more often.

About vocalizing, is he asking for your attention or asking you to do something such as play? Sometimes they are plain silly sometimes, such a joy to have around.

You may find this test interesting and fun....Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test

[mainesheltie]

At 11 years old, perhaps it hurts him to climb stairs, but he really wants to be with you.

[IceyBlueSibes]

Nothing is a stupid question! The stupid part would be to never ask

My dogs will do the same thing at times. Kelso will sit by my bed and lay his head and just sit with a very slight tail wag like "Can I come up there with you mom?". He waits for me to say "You can c'mup" and he'll hop on up.

It really is interesting how it seems as though they wait for your permission. I would definetly be thankful he does that though. I am glad Kelso doesn't jus fly on the bed whenever he wants to cause sometimes I don't want him up there (if I'm super tired and don't want to share the bed LOL)

[Swiftwind]

Harley, my 12 yr old Jack Russell x does that a LOT! He will stand at a set of stairs and bark until someone either goes over to him or yells his name, and then he'll climb up the stairs himself. He has one eye he's very blind in, and I think this may have something to do with his barking. As Java is an older dog, I would say that either he needs reassurance that you're still there, that he's heading for the right direction when wanting to go upstairs, or he is sore when going up stairs.

Harley has been vocalising a LOT more, lately. He howls like a Husky, and has conversations with us as well..

[group6]

Wow! I guess I stopped checking for a response a month ago when I wasn't getting any.

Java hadn't been reprimanded for anything. Like right now, I just let Nicky out, leaving the door open. Java came down on his own and just went out by himself. Now he is standing at the bottom of the stairs barking that bark. Hmmm. He is somewhat sore all the time, he seems to be fine walking down the stairs but always goes up one-stair-at-a-time. (of course he is Olympic sprinter if a squirrel is nearby) Maybe there is a connection there, but the soreness far out dates the barking, thats why it strikes me as something different. I've been giving him the chew-able glousamine/chondroitan for some time now, haven't seen a noticeable change though.

Thanks for the responses, sorry for the delay.