My three year old (nuetered) Pitbull has been very sensitive lately. I'm hoping some of you might have some ideas for me, as to how I can handle this. Here's the problem: If anyone in the house raises their voice in the least, he goes and hides. It's becoming very annoying. He's always been a seemingly stable dog, but in the past 6 months or so, I've tryed everything I can think of to discourage this behavior over time. Ignoring him, giving lots of comfort and attention, telling him to knock it off. All have the same result...him hiding and cowering for 15 min. or more. One thing I'm wondering about is; could there be any health problems related to this behaviour? He's always been a very submissive dog to me, my wife and kids, but this is a little too much. Any thoughts would be appriciated. Thanks, Nick Bubbico

Behavior changes can certainly be caused by medical problems. Have you ever had a blood panel (including T4) done? Does he have any other symptoms such as weight gain, lethargy, eye discharge, hair loss? Has he shown any unusual aggression?

Sorry, I should've included this; he currently has a tumor growth in his groin area. He's on a steroid cream for a month, then the vet wants to see if it's decreased in size. If not, it'll have to be removed and checked for cancer. Just last week I found another cist or tumor under the skin on his hip/waist area. Could this be a cause for a behavior change? -Nick Bubbico

There has been no other changes in health or behavior besides the previously mentioned.

Hi Nick:

Sorry about your dog. The tumor thing can be difficult to deal with. I'lll be your dogs health is at the root of the problem. Sometimes, pain can cause aggression and hiding. As in nature, a domesticated, hurting animal seeks to hide away. Yelling at the dog for acting strange may increase the behavior because he can't reason why he feels this way and wonders what he has done. He may hurt enough that to touch him causes pain. Most vets will tell you that animals 'mask' their weaknesses so that they won't be considered prey until they can no longer mask the symptoms. That's what makes diagnosing problems so difficult. I feel sorry for your pup and I think someone needs to do more investigation re his health.

Is he also on oral pred? Pred definitely affects mood and behavior (your vet should have told you this). As for the rub on kind, I'm not sure. I suppose he could lick it and ingest it, but whether it is enough to cause behavioral changes I'm not so sure. I'd check with another vet if your current vet is unwilling to do some blood tests and an x-ray. Tumors that are spreading sounds to me like a reason to look into the problem quickly.

Good Luck.