dog suddenly has no interest in me

[mklockhart55]

This is the first time I have ever posted in a dog forrum, however I really need help!
I have male llasa-poo, who is a little over a year. He has always been very shy and timid, sometimes fearful when put in a new situation, but NEVER aggressive. He is actually extremely submissive. I have had him since he was 6 weeks, and although it took about 3 months for him to completely bond, (unlike my 1 1/2 year old female dog who bonded with me from the first day I had her, she is the dominant one by the way), he and I did bond and he became very affectionate, following me everywhere always on my lap, and just overall sweet and affectionate.
Here is my problem, I dont know what happened, but about a month or so ago he started to detach from me. It started with him slowly not jumping on my lap or following me around, and now I feel like if I try to pet him he actually pulls away. He seems only to come to me if some kind of treat is involved and basically seems to care less if I am there or not. For example he no longer seems happy when I come home, basically walks by me, while my female is all over me. I treat both of them the same, and I have not changed anything with the male: walking, time, playing with him ect....
So if someone could give me some insight I would really appreciate it, thank you so much. I really cant guess what would have changed or what I can do to get our relationship back

[bubbatd]

I wish I could help ... I've never had small dogs to " get into their brains ". He may be just laid back compared to your female. I really don't understand the drawing away if it's you one on one with him. When I had many Goldens and it was " love on time " , a couple may have just sighed and moved away. They just didn't want to compete..... that's why I liked one on one attention when it came to grooming or " social " time .

[Debi]

I don't know either, but he may have just grown into a dog that isn't overly interested in attention. My husky mix is like that. she loves me, but she is like a cat.......only on her terms when she is in the mood. lol she usually isn't interested in anything I'm doing, and has never been the type of dog to follow me around. (she does prefer my hubby) but, I also wondered if you've had him checked at the vet lately? maybe he's not feeling well. sometimes a dog will shy away if they are feeling pain. I know he is young, but I had a little pup that would pull back cause he had arthritis and petting must have been uncomfortable for him. lastly, since your female is the dominate one, maybe he just hangs back cause he feels that is his 'place'.

[mklockhart55]

He has been to the vet relatively recently and no problems. No, I dont think it is because of her because even though she is dominant, he still somewhat stands his ground. She only wins over objects she really loves, otherwise they get along really well. I dont know, I think I am going to check him at the ver becasue he has just been acting wierd. I have read alot about dog adolescence and alot of the changes dealing with that I have seen in him. Maybe that could be it? any ideas?

[rowdy ridgeback]

Did he just get vaccinated?

[rowdy ridgeback]

I just read a book that talked about vaccinations in pets. Natural Health for Cats and Dogs. There is also another one called Protect your Pets. In goes into detail about vaccinations. Dogs are getting about 6 vaccinations at one time. This is overloading their immune system. Especially in puppies. My one Ridgeback got squirrely after her last shots. I now go to a holistic vet. They dont give shots annually. They space them out. Makes sense to me. I dont get a shot every year. Also, kennel cough is kind of like the flu. There are 5 different stands of kennel cough. Just like the flu, you have to get vaccinated for that strand. The two dogs that I have given the kennel cough vaccination to, both got kennel cough. So we now do Rabies once every three years. And the same with the others but spaced out. The last dog that got shots on a normal vets routine was, Parvo, Distemper, Canine Hep, Rabies, Lymes, and Kennel Cough. That is about the normal. That is too much for the immune system. If you know how vaccinations work, they are given a small amount of the disease so your body wont get them again. My too older dogs,( 9 and 7 years) I do not vaccinate anymore. My father only gave his two goldens their puppy shots. He never had to take either one to the vet their whole lives. The first one lived 14 years and the second lived 13 years. Please read up on vaccinations. Vets love them because they bring you in once a year.