My best friend of 17 years, my little Lhasa Apso, Cotton, passed away last October, and my Rott/Shep. mix doesn't seem to be acting the same since. I know that animals grieve, i'm seeing it first hand and it's absolutely breaking my heart, and I don't know how to help him. I, myself, am still having a hard time without my baby following me from room to room in the house, and she was such a huge part of all our lives (she made sure of it), now Bullet, who has been with us for almost 7 years, very active and playful and -in the middle of things- wants to lay off by himself, never wants to go outside, or for a ride in the truck, which he used to live for! What can I do to help him through this?? I understand 8 yrs. is a ripe age for a Rott/Shep. but it all happened suddenly, in Oct. '06 when Cotton passed away. Would love to hear your thought on the matter.
2007-01-31 16:40:57 · 12 answers · asked by Dwayne H 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
ok, so i might not exactly have an 'answer' for you, but I have been Right were you are!
..to cut it short, I had two Chihuahua's, when one was suddenly taken from us... and WOW!
Is it heartbreaking to have a dog grieve!? - YES!
Is it almost Worse than having a family member [human] grieve?! - YES!!
I say this because, like you, I felt Helpless, the things my girl liked doing didnt give her interest anymore, it was heartbreaking, she literally layed there and pined [baby crying /howl noises and all!!] And I did not know what to do! Unlike a human grieving, I couldnt tell her it was ok, couldnt tell her what happened and why her best buddy was gone. Couldnt explain why she felt soo sad so abandoned so alone,. couldnt tell her that it sucked, but she had to still want to play and eat, and BE A DOG!! and that was the hardest hardest thing! although, dont get me wrong, I did tell her those things, i talked to her, pet her, hugged her loved her and continuoulsy spoke to her about what happened, now it didnt happen straight away, i wont lie and it was heartbreaking, but EVENTUALY she was ok. she picked herself up, played and, to my 'knowledge' forgot that she'd all of a sudden been abandoned by her best buddy.
The only things I can recommend is like i said above, complete care and understanding, people grieve longer than others, see to it that your pooch is eating right, sleeping right and excercising enough, [maybe not as much as when he had his mate to play with, but dont expect too much too soon] , then, if you know he is 'healthy' in the physical sense, let him be. Give him the time to grieve, and dont try force, or expect him to accept doing the thing that he liked doing when your girl was around, own his own now. [like rides in the truck I guess..]
It wouldnt be easy as humans, and i say [as much as ill probably get thumbs down on this for treating animals too much like humans!] We Are a very similar species when it comes to such matters. ..SO, 'grieve together' . animals can sense things right?! so talk to your boy, be sad with him, and slowly show him to be happy. they can sense it.
Then like others have said, distraction, distraction, distraction! ;-) ...when he slowly enjoys doing things again [like rides in the truck] make it even more enjoyable.. like, rides in the truck TO A DOG PARK.. etc. the more he associated the truck with fun things and not with your old dog, the quicker he will enjoy riding the truck. I think its a lot about distraction, and replacing your dogs sad memories of things like playing in the yard with your old dog, to playing in the yard with a new toy or bone or you. .. its not nice to say 'replace' but it isnt really replacing your old dog, its helping your current pooch to understand that he can still enjoy those things without her and without thinking of her.
I hope any of what ive said helps! Its so hard and you feel helpless [cant we all just learn to speak 'Dog'?!?!] ;-P
anyway, for yourself, I helped my grief by creating a 'dogster' page on my beloved boy who past. It really helped because it was like acknowledging him as if he was here and showing him how special he was and is, even though he has past! .. here is the URL to my boys page for you to see if you'd like-
www.dogster.com/321874
- thats Rocky's page and this is Minxx's page [the dog who mourned him] - www.dogster.com/321393
GOOD LUCK!!
x
2007-01-31 17:50:55 · answer #1 · answered by AnI 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try something,somewhere new . A new park ,new trails or lake or the ocean. New people ,if he likes to meet people,new dog friends ,if he likes dogs. Try to have a schedule, and don't push him too hard. I have heard some dogs take up to a year to get over it,but when you feel he has ,get him a new companion from a shelter a few years younger ,but not a pup. Older dogs are often annoyed by too much energy.** Additional Note, be cautious with when you give treats and affection,Don't give him the idea you are rewarding isolation or inactivity. When the time comes to get another dog take Bullet with you to the shelter and even consider getting the help of a behaviorist so Bullet can take part in choosing his new companion.
2007-01-31 17:05:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they absolutely do. PLEASE do not chain or tie up your dog, or you could lose this one to strangulation. The best way to contain a dog within a wooden fence is to install an electric radio collar fence on the inside of the wooden fence with plastic insulators - they won't go near it to dig out then. A simple unit is inexpensive, and far cheaper than an emergency vet. It's also far cheaper than the lawsuit you could be in for, if your dog causes a human to be injured in a car accident because they were out on the street. For now, your dog should be inside, or walked on a leash. Tying ANY dog out is risking an excruciating death, even if it seems like a good temporary solution - it's not.
2016-05-24 00:54:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, just as every person has their own way of dealing with death...dogs and everything else does too. Sadly you can't say anything to comfort your dog and there's really not much that you can do. I would suggest that you do what you need to get past it and your dog will do the same.
2007-01-31 16:52:50 · answer #4 · answered by Heather 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sit on the couch with him and rub him on the back. Physical contact is the best way to get through to a dog.
2007-01-31 16:44:04 · answer #5 · answered by bradnick2000 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
This has happened to me. Pet her/him and give her a whole lot more attention give her toys or treats to keep her busy/distracted. It really works! Im sorry about your loss its hard.
2007-01-31 16:46:27 · answer #6 · answered by lovebugbaby101 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
your veterinarian might be able to prescribe something to help your dog cope with his depression. i know it sounds weird that dogs can go on medication for depression, but it's true. or maybe if you're ready, maybe your other dog would like to have a new friend :)
2007-01-31 16:44:10 · answer #7 · answered by mighty_power7 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Dear friend
this website gives you the answer.more useful information available about your pet.
http://www.careyourpet.org
2007-01-31 16:46:36 · answer #8 · answered by needhelp 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Buy another dog
2007-01-31 16:43:13 · answer #9 · answered by majstevenfusmc 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Get your Dog a kitten. seriously.
2007-01-31 16:43:36 · answer #10 · answered by MADLYNN 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋