Is your dog clingy with everyone ?? It sounds like he is very worried
about someone,,,,especially you.
Check with your doctor,,,,some dogs will pick up on illness before humans
will.,,,,,just a thought!

Have you seen a VETERINARY behaviorist? Maybe that would shed some light on the changes. My first thought was that you said he was out showing and doing lots of things. Is he no longer showing and so just staying home around the house? If so, that's a big change in his life...

I would have an MRI done of his brain(tumor suspected). He sounds unstable and I would not have children and guests exposed to him at my house. I would also definitely neuter him for starters. Hope you find an answer.

Unfortunately I think I would have an MRI done on him to rule out a brain tumor and go from there. Hopefully not what it is.

An MRI isn't surgery. Yes, the dog has to be sedated, but if he has a medical issue, that needs to be determined rather than treating the behavior issues. To me, this does not sound like something that's environmentally caused. When my dog had an MRI, he did have an overnight stay, but that was as much to minimize my travel time as it was because he had to be at the vet school. But it is expensive- you can try behavior modification first. Maybe it will work. If it were my dog, I'd want to know for sure what I was dealing with. Three respondents now have said that this sounds like a medical issue. At least discuss this possibility with your regular vet.

I suggested a veterinary behaviorist as I thought all medical avenues had been explored. If an MRI has not been done, I'd definitely go that route before just giving up on the poor boy.

Many years ago, I had a dog that suddenly became aggressive. This was a dog who had been actively shown and trained as an obedience competitor and had always done well in class, in public, around children, other pets, etc.

Over a period of just weeks, he went from a mild-mannered dog to the point where he went for my sister when she came in my room one night to tell me about the date she had just been on. Something "clicked" in his brain at the last minute and he stopped - less than an inch from her face - with his mouth full open, teeth bared and a deep growl coming from his throat.

We were back at the vet's the next day. Head x-rays showed a tumor in his brain. I made the decision to put him down.

Just sharing this so you know to keep looking. With the advances in today's veterinary medicine, there might be more options than the one I had nearly 30 years ago.

Thanks for al the suggestions. We did another physical and panel of tests since its been awhile since the last were rrun and he seems to have gotten a little worse. Full blood work up, urinalysis, fecal, radiographs (chest & abdomen)all revealed nothing. I was planning on neutering him this summer anyways as he doesn't show anymore because he hates it. We are probably going to move on to a specialist but will have some decisions to make as the quote for just the MRI was $3,000. Not writing it off but cost is definitely a factor, sorry if you don't like hearing that. He overall just seems very anxious about things/life in general.

Hey, I get it. Vet bills these days can be as high as humans. Have you thought of insurance? Care credit etc. then you can pay on time if need be. Good luck with your boy.

Re: Sure. We are offering opinions. The owner is reaching out for help. He/she does not have to follow it. I suggested the MRI first as did others. Neutering may be a mute point if a tumor is discovered in his brain, or something in the blood work comes up as treatable. Whatever it is it sounds like a serious matter.

A woman I know had a dog who had a very similar issue...turns out the dog had a stroke but showed no signs of it...she eventually got worse and had to be put down...possibly could it be a stroke?