I have a 10 month old yellow lab\Shar-Pei mix. She shows no interest in chewing toys, playing with toys, etc. She is very loving and is well trained in many areas. My main concern is she sleeps all day and doesn't show any energy at all, except when I take her for walks. Even then, she just casually walks with me. She has no pep in her step. We rescued her from a shelter 5 days ago. Is this her character or is she just recooperating from a past traumatic experience? Can I help her come out of it? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
2007-01-22 06:50:44 · 13 answers · asked by Chow B 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
She may be suffering from "shelter stress". Some dogs take about 2 weeks to recover from the trauma they experience in some shelter envirnoments (that's why we make sure our shelter is as stress-free for the dogs as possible).
Keep to a routine (so she can anticipate what will happen each day), feed her regularly, make sure she has plenty of clean water available (so she doesn't have to stress over food availability). These will all help her "detox" both physically and emotionally.
However, no pup will "sleep all day" if it's healthy. We suggest getting her to a vet right away (along with a sample of her poop) to make sure she doesn't have worms or some other intestinal disease. Also, check her temperature (using a rectal thermometer); fever can often cause dogs to look lethargic. (Anything over 102-degrees is not good.)
2007-01-22 07:06:26 · answer #1 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I see some very good answers above but...if you have to take him to the vet for any reason, ask about the possibility of a heart murmur.
I had a dog once that had one and even though it wasn't serious, he didn't have much energy at 1 year old and the vet said that was the reason. But he still lived a long life with no other problems.
2007-01-22 07:09:09 · answer #2 · answered by Weetie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the behavior is probably her just adjusting to the new environment, espicially if she is comming from a shelter. who know's what she was exposed to before you got her. Is she eating and pooing normal? those are key things to watch. Have you taken her to a vet for a check-up? if not that's always a good idea for any new pet.
What kind of food are you feeding? are you gradually switching to a new food if you've changed the brand? a definate must. If you can, look into an all natural food, no 'big box store' brands, they are filled with so many fillers and fatty meats they can seriously affect your dogs health. (even the main brands like IAMS, or Purena are not good for your dog)
give her time and she'll warm up to her new home. If after a while she still is sleeping lots you can try increasing exercise, changing foods, and definaly seek a vet's opion if you try anything else.
2007-01-22 07:03:53 · answer #3 · answered by mancat1111 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Nope, its not normal a one year old should be walking/running around sniffing everything... What happened is that she is probably still a little scared... Different home, people, oders, food...etc. Giver her about 5 more days then she should be the way she should be... She just probably misses the people that took care of her before...
2007-01-22 07:24:19 · answer #4 · answered by maria * 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not normal....puppies do sleep alot, but it's interchanged with bouts of wild behavior. Since she is new, it could be adjustment, but she should still be wanting to play some. Have her checked out at your vet...have a blood draw, check thyroid, and check her for HEARTWORM.......Shelters do some care, but not as well as a normal vet would. Bring in a stool sample too, just get her checked over for everything...not playing at all at 10 months is not quite right.
2007-01-22 06:59:15 · answer #5 · answered by Nevermore 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, if she walks calmly with you, I wouldn't sorry. I would worry if you ahve to physically force her to take walks. I don't think she's bored, because you say you provide toys. She could also still be lonely, but I don't think sick. So, showing her love and giving lots of praise and trats for little things can teach her to trust you. In the beginning, don't play games where you dangle toys above her head and she she goes for them pull it away, because this can give her trust issues, just as if you're teasing a little kid.
2007-01-22 07:04:53 · answer #6 · answered by lildi_32 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
She needs more exercise, more walks, longer walks. Take her out in the yard and run and play with her. She is bored just being in the house all day.
2007-01-22 06:55:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, it's normal. Puppies do sleep alot.
2007-01-22 11:13:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get her checked for heartworms or other diseases, but it could be just a adjustment phase. Just get her checked soon to be sure.
2007-01-22 07:22:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
please take your pet to the vet. i am not a vet, but a dog breeder, and sounds like your pet is full of worms, this can be DEADLY if not taken care of.
god bless you and let me know what the vet said, you can email me, i think i am correct.
SAINT BERNARD BREEDER IN INDIANA SINCE 1977.
2007-01-22 07:06:10 · answer #10 · answered by Indiana Colts Fan 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋