Hi everyone, Looking for advice because we are losing our minds with sleep deprivation.
We have a 1 year 9 month old Bernese Mountain Dog x Golden Retriever. He has always been friendly, social and great with other dogs. He is not neutered yet. At home he is a total cuddle bug and has slept downstairs alone since he was a puppy without any issues.
Over the last three weeks something changed. Every night he starts whining, crying and pacing. Around 3 AM he gets really worked up and scratches the door to get attention. We are worried he will break the glass so we go down, let him out to pee, and then go back upstairs without interacting. We know this might reinforce the behavior but we are stuck between that and him damaging the house or himself.
Nothing has changed in his routine. We added more exercise and enrichment puzzles. Still up every night. It is exhausting.
Today at the dog park he growled at multiple dogs and even tried to start fights. This has never happened before. We left immediately.
We have a vet appointment booked. I am wondering if this could be hormonal. Would neutering help if the behavior is hormone driven? Or could this be anxiety? Anyone gone through something similar?
TLDR: 1 yr 9 mo unneutered Bernese x Golden suddenly whining all night and showing aggression at the dog park. Nothing changed in routine. We have tried more exercise, enrichment and letting him out. Vet appointment scheduled. Could this be hormones and would neutering help?
submitted by /u/avvie_xox
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