I have a 3 year old cocker spaniel male who is neutered. He has never been one to act out by eating food off the table, peoples plates etc.or one to run off to the neighbors but lately he has been. Why is he doing this? Is it because he starving for attention since school and work consume most of my time or is it something else? and what do I do to take care of this problem?
Often dogs who have previously been well behaved will act out if something changes in their environment. Is your having less time to spend with him fairly new? Can you squeeze in more time to interact with him? If not, is doggie daycare where he gets to play with other dogs and people a possibility? If not, do you have a friend that can come by and play with him while you are gone? I think it is probably that he feels the lack of attention and since he isn't getting as much as he feels he needs he is acting out so you will HAVE to pay attention to him. Kids do this too. They feel negative attention is better than NO attention.
Sounds like lack of exercise and boredom to me.
