We have a 3 yr old lab/pit mix. He is an overall really mellow dog, he has always been very laid back and low key. He also has bad back legs, possibly a torn ligiment in his back knee and/or hip displaysia. We both work 9-5 jobs and try to spend as much time as we can with him after work and on weekends, he is a spoiled big baby, yet he still seems upset or depressed. He mostly lays around and is often off in a back bedroom instead of out with us (by his own choice) While on our walks we always meet up with a black lab puppy and our dog seems to love him! He has a great time playing with other dogs. We are wondering if we should get another puppy for him to keep him company. Any suggestions?
I don't want it to back fire and make him depressed and think we don't love him as much, I am hoping this would make him happy to have a puppy to play with and teach things to.
What do you think?
2007-01-23 06:36:31 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
he also has been to the vet on a regular basis, he is on med's to reduce any pain or inflammation from his hind quarters. He's well cared for, and pretty darn spoiled
Has anyone brought a new puppy in while they had a slightly older, mature dog, and what happened?
2007-01-23 06:45:29 · update #1
Ok, this may be long...but I'll try and keep it short.
firstly, your doggy may seem depressed because he is in pain...when my kiesha was diagnosed with dysplasia I took her in to the vet because she was lying around, depressed seeming, not much life...she did indeed, and when the vet gave her rimadyl (sp) and ease the pain, she was back to her old excitable self.
Take him to the vet, get x-rays and bloodwork...(it could also be hypothyroidism, it totally drains energy and can be easily fixed with a daily dose of thyroid hormone.)
also, it could be the "spoiling" that has got him down. dogs need change and variety...walk him in different directions, take him to dog parks. stimulate him daily...find a toy that excites him.
your dog (all dogs really) need lots of stimulation and excercise. (benefit, fat dogs exacerbate hip and leg problems, excercise will help him stay fit) try taking him out on rollerblades or a skateboard to pull you. this will add variety and make his walk very energetic.
Dogs do not feel human emotions, even though we like to put that on them...when you "spoil" your dog, it is not good for their wild mind..and beating yourself up for leaving him alone most of the day will only cause him anxiety, and make things worse..just be happy to see him when you come home..show joy and love and excitement and it will rub off on him.
side note, getting anther dog will make things worse. You will have two dogs that need your guidance, time and attention, and if you barely have time for one..two could be disasterous.
besides, playing dogs aren't careful of sore hips and can also make things worse.
Do take your lovely dog to a vet and have those hips checked, if it is a ligament, it is not terribly expensive to fix.
good luck to you and your pup!
2007-01-23 06:51:47 · answer #1 · answered by spottedmyappy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are pack animals and enjoy the company of their own species. Signs of depression and being lethargic can also indicate medical problesm such as low thyroid in canine.I've had wonderful experience introducing pups in the family while having an older dog. The older dog usually gets spunkier and the pup picks up on the the older dogs good habits. If your dog is in pain though or has a weak leg,I'd be careful about the rogh housing that comes along with a young pup. Good luck!
2007-01-23 06:42:03 · answer #2 · answered by W. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He might be in pain... it seems strange that he won't lay around near you - my dog is always right under my feet when I'm home.
Have you talked to your vet about pain control medication? You may be able to find a vet who will do acupuncture to help him. I know it sounds crazy, but I had acupuncture done to help my cat with arthritis and it made a huge difference.
Here's a good article about deciding if you should add a second dog to your home, and how to go about it: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=2465&S=1&SourceID=47
2007-01-23 06:47:00 · answer #3 · answered by Bess2002 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dog could be in pain. Have a vet check him out before you buy him a puppy.
2007-01-23 06:42:13 · answer #4 · answered by woooh! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might help....I know that I have always had two dogs...and they have always seemed to keep each other busy. If you make sure to give both dogs attention, maybe even the older dog a little more then you will be fine.....
2007-01-23 06:42:52 · answer #5 · answered by yetti 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
once you've been reading solutions for extremely lengthy i'm advantageous you've heard this; "a healthful dogs gained't starve to lack of life if nutrients is presented". that is sooooo real. you want to easily placed what you want your dogs to eat in a dish and placed it in the front of him. go away it down for 10 minutes till he's actively ingesting it. If no longer, purely %. it up refrigerate it till the subsequent mealtime and feed no longer something till then. when you're consistent and persist with this, you may coach your dogs to eat exceedingly a lot something.
2016-10-16 00:05:17 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No my son keeps the dog pretty busy!
2007-01-23 06:39:18 · answer #7 · answered by Simple1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋