Hi everyone! I haven't been here in ages.
I'm a little concerned about my oldest dog, Beauty. She's been behaving a bit differently over the past few months. It seems like every couple of months she adds a new odd behavior. She seems a bit more anxious than in the past, and she barks more - even at family, until she gets to see/smell them up close and recognizes them.
The latest one started today - I woke up this morning to find her standing facing the wall near my bed, occasionally giving it a shove with her nose. I have no idea what she was trying to do. When I talked to her, she responded normally, but as soon as I turned my attention away from her she went back to her fascination with the wall. Once I got out of bed she was acting normal again, wanting breakfast. She did it again this afternoon, but only for a minute or two.
The other thing that concerns me is her recent habit of licking her bed. She seems to do this when she's lying down for a nap - she'll lick for a few minutes before going to sleep. It seems like possibly a soothing thing, to help her sleep? It worries me though, simply because its new (just the last month or two). It makes me wonder, if it's a self-soothing habit, why does she need soothing? And is there anything I can do about it?
Does anyone know what might cause these things? Beauty is my first dog, and I'm not entirely sure what to expect as she ages. She is a Lab mix, 11 1/2 years old, spayed, and has always been healthy apart from allergies. She eats a special diet to avoid allergens.