Changes in Hurley's Behavior

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

Hurley is officially 6 months today.  My husband was in the hospital starting May14th followed by rehab.  During the day, while I was at the hospital, I left Hurley at our son's house so he could play with their 3 dogs.  One of which is a doodle.  And there is the added bonus of their having a pool. He loves going over there and especially loves the opportunity to get in the water.

Since the change in his daily routine there has been a change in his behavior.  He seems to have taken a few steps backwards in his socialization.  He is suddenly shy around people, backing away and hides behind me whenever anyone comes up to pet him.  He wags his tail and acts like he is eager to meet and be petted but when anyone reaches to pet him he shies away.

I take him to rehab twice a day so he can visit with Craig.   The 3 if us sit outside enjoying the sun and time together.  When Craig reaches to pet Hurley, he backs away from Craig.  He wants on my lap if I am sitting down or he hides under the bench.

Is this because of the changes in our routine and Craig's not being home?  It isn't like he is going to a strange house.  He cannot stay out of the pool and he plays the whole time he is at our son's house.  

At night he sleeps on the bed with me which is nothing new as he slept on the bed with Craig and me most of the time.  

He isn't getting his morning and nightly walks with Craig and I do not have enough time right now to take him for walks but he sure plays hard at our son's house and he loves being around the twins.

Any thoughts on what he might be going through? Or is this a 6 month old stage? 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I'm glad to hear that things are calming down for you guys and that your DH's recovery is coming along so well! That is funny that you are landscaping for Hurley!! LOL! They really do change our lives in so many ways!

Hurley sounds like a sensitive guy the way he is relating to your mother. That is very sweet!

Tara never did adjust to the Doggles because her eyelashes are so long that when I put them on her the lashes caught underneath and she couldn't open her eyes!  So we progressed to this style which are more like human sunglasses:

She tolerated these much better and we mainly wanted them for  eye protection when she rode with her head out of the car window. But she lost interest in putting her head out of the window (with or without the glasses) so we stopped using them. She never got to the point where she was thrilled with them! :) But she might have if we had used them for a longer period of time. We don't get as many hours of sunshine here in Oregon as you do in Henderson!  You would have a much longer time to acclimate him to them.

As I said in the Grooming Group, I love Hurley's cut! It looks great! You guys have a great day too!

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

That is such a cute picture.  Had me chuckling.  Doodles have so much personality.   TaraBear is a beautiful color.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thanks Diane!