Pug Behavior

Question
I have a 2-3 year old pug that I adopted a month ago.  Awesome, very normal, loving, well behaved dog.  Last Friday the dog has started showing strange behavior.  He has become obsessed w/ the couch.  He'll be lying down perk up look at the cushion crack, get up and stick his head in the little hole in between the cushions. During this time he will hop down go from one side to another wining.  He will then hop up on the other couch and do the same thing.  I thought he may have dropped a treat or toy but we tipped the couch and checked all the cracks and found nothing. If this went on for a day or two I wouldn't be concerned but were going on a week now and no signs of letting up.  My girlfriend suggested he may be just itching his nose but this behavior is very frequent and the wining is kind of excessive, I am worried something may be wrong. During this time he also is smelling certain spots in the house excessively and then digging & wining and is very afraid of shadows.  We didn't see any of this behavior the first 3 weeks we had the dog.  Could a change in dog food or the vet shots make a dog a little off.  Can you reassure me this is normal behavior and Barney is just adjusting to his new home and not going crazy?

Also I know exercise is highly suggested w/ pugs.  I will take Barney for walks up the road and it seems like his paws hurt.  He will just stop and look at me.  Do I keep taking him for walks or am I pushing him further than he wants to go.

Answer
Betsy,

First, I would try to keep him in a different environment for awhile.  Don't let him in the room where the couch is.  See if he still behaves this way when he is not on the couch.

Same for the areas that he is sniffing and digging.  Don't let him in those areas.  Keep him in another room but make sure it is a pleasant environment.

Are you sure he has not gone to the bathroom in those areas?  If so, it is normal (but not good) for him to go back to those areas if he needs to go again.

If he acts normal then he has just learned this behavior and hopefully by taking away from the environment, he will stop.  If he still acts this way, then there may be something wrong with him.

I would just take him for walks for short distances, then increase a little at a time.  He may not be use to taking walks.  Make it fun for him and give him plenty of praise.

If you have any concern that he is in pain, you should see a vet.

Hope that helps,
Christine Puetz