Dog not behaving like himself

Question
Dr. Connor,
Our 7 (Feb) year old male lab began acting very strangly on Saturday night - he was in and out of the house (doggie door) from midnight til 230 (i sat outside with him for an hour). he is a very loving dog, a momma's boy if you will. i think in 7 years his tail has never stopped wagging.. Well, the wagging has slowed. he reacts the same when we come home (happy to see us), he eats (happy to) and drinks as normal. But the in and out of the house the sticking the nose through the doggie door (only the nose) from the outside in - sniffing around then pulling his head out side. Walking around can't sit still but wil sit- this has been going on for the past hour. Should i go get a blood test. He is so loving and truly my "son" i hate that he can't talk to me and tell me what's wrong. Sat night when i finally got him in bed he slept ON me not beside me as normal but ON me with his elbow on my chest. Any thoughts?

Answer
The behavior around the doggy door might be the answer; something may have frightened him while he was using it (this could have been a car backfire, a loud bird, a tree branch, anything can give a dog an acquired fear behavior.)  You may have inadvertently, with the BEST of intentions, worsened this by rewarding him: sitting outside with him for an hour will do it.  By showing anxiety (because of your concern), you made him more anxious.

Of course any change in behavior in any dog should go to the veterinarian first, and yes, by all means do that.  I doubt this is a physical problem (unless it's orthopedic and somehow the doggy door exacerbates his pain) but it will allay YOUR fears.  Lock the doggy door.  Let him in and out of the house through a normal venue; make him "sit" for a REWARD before opening the door and be as light hearted as possible (eat a mint, if you're anxious the adrenaline is on your breath and he will smell it and become anxious.)  Oddly enough, attempting to comfort a dog that's fearful (or even in pain) worsens the problem for the dog.  Making him go to his own bed (or the floor or the next pillow!) might not feel good to you, but it will ultimately make him feel far more secure.  If he has no physical problem, the best approach to a sudden fear behavior is to IGNORE IT and work toward making the dog more confident.  Confidence is built in a dog by observing YOUR confidence and lack of anxiety and by your calm, consistent leadership.  Please don't hesitate to repost if you have further questions.