My dog sleeps all day what can I do?

Question

My dog pretty much sleeps all day - what can I do? I try to make sure she gets plenty of exercise, but still she sleeps nearly all day. Is it because she's lonely? I'm not sure. She got really sad when my wife died June 18 2006, and she was her dog. She didn't eat for 2 1/2 weeks and then cried all day long for 2 months. Nothing like listening to a dog crying all day. I know she doesn't like being in the house. She seems fairly sad still. I don't know. She's a Chow - she's really not very old, she'll be 15 on
December 15th. Chows can live 24 years or more if taken care of well. She is healthier than Golden Retrievers I"ve seen at 5 years old. I probably walked her 45 minutes at least yesterday for instance. So she's doing fairly well Better than most dogs her age and younger. I've seen dogs age 4 and 5 much worse condition than her. I do a good job taking care of her.
Thanks.

human years

I think she's depressed. I took her to the park on Memorial Day and they had a group of mentally retarded people there, so I took her over to greet them, they all loved her, and she perked right up. It was helpful to them too. She was my wife's dog. I think in a way she blames me for her death, she was fairly agressive with me when she first died. Even a few weeks ago she was hostile with me. I don't know what her deal was. If I can get her socialized I think she'll be doing better. I am just not up for getting another dog right now.
She doesn't get along with other dogs normally.

My wife became critically ill in April 2003 - and our dog literally stayed in there with her 24/7 once that happened. It was like she was protecting her little puppy.

I've handled myself very well for the most part. If anything I"ve probably been irritable at times, and she probably picks up on that. That might have been the case the times she was agressive. I don't know. In general I've been very thankful for her, and I've been trying to do everything I can to make sure she stays around a long time.

I don't remember where I saw that Chows live 24 years. I've heard anything from 9-13, 13, 13.5, 10-13, 12-15 - she's far healthier than most dogs her age or younger. I saw a dog 12 yesterday and I'd say that dog was far worse than China. Most people don't take good care of their dogs.

thanks for your help

Answer 1

She is sad and lonely. She misses your dear wife. You might want to get another dog for her to be with. Or take her to a park where she can socialize with some other pets. Good Luck.

Answer 2

How have you carried on despite your loss? If you haven't moved on that well, the two of you could be feeding off each others sadness or depression. Was your wife a stay at home woman? Was she there for the dog all day? That could be some of the problem. If the dog is as healthy as you say and you are not still suffering from your loss, I'd suggest finding a sitter (female) to keep the dog company or get another dog. A year of grieving seems out of the ordinary for a dog but I wouldn't necessarily rule out old age. What makes you think she's still sad. Do you constantly console her thinking she sad simply when she tired? Feed her some new energy and get her up and out more often is she's got a clean bill of health.

Answer 3

First, if you're seriously considering putting the dog down because it's boring than you really should have never gotten a dog in the first place. As for why the dog sleeps most of the day, it depends on several things. Age, breed, the dog's environment, etc. Is it in a mostly indoor dog? Maybe the dog is bored. Is it hot where you live? Sometimes dogs will conserve their energy when it's hot during the day and be more energetic at night.

Answer 4

I don't know where you heard that chows can live 24 years - the average life span is 12 - 15.

If you walk a 15 year old dog for 45 minutes a day, that's likely why she sleeps all day. Has she been to the vet for a check-up? Has she had geriatric blood work done? Does she have arthritis she needs meds for?

It's pretty normal for a dog this old to sleep a lot.

Answer 5

I think you might want to try doing more activities with your dog; walks, play sessions, etc.

Answer 6

15 years old is that human or dog years?

Answer 7

I think at her age it is normal to sleep all day.

Answer 8

it's very clear to me that you dog is depressed so give her some grey goose

Answer 9

play catch take it for walks

Answer 10

i think she is really lonely