My dog is grieving?

Question

We had 2 dogs and 2 cats who have the most loving home and got on very well but suddenly one of my cats had to be put down and then a week after one of my dogs had to be put down. As you can imagine we were all upset but my other dog has taken it very badly, he was always a bouncy, happy fun dog but now all he does is sleep and when i take him for a walk he just stays behind me when before he was exploring everything! He has also started to poo in the room he sleeps in and this is not like him at all, he was always shy about this if we were in the garden he would hide in the bush to do this!! I understand he is grieving but how can i help him? how long will he be like this? And how can i get his toilet habits back to normal?! Thank you in advance

Answer 1

I'm so sorry to learn of your losses, and of the sadness that you and your dog are experiencing. A friend had similar things happen when he had to put down his Terri-poo. The other dog (a small poodle) went around, looking behind the doors, searching anywhere and then acting depressed.

It's important to keep talking to your dog, in happier tones (not with the concerned "are you OK" type), but to keep showing an interest in playing, going for walks, meeting people, showing enthusiasm, etc. It's much the same as when we lose a human companision -- we tend to reflect on the person we've lost and somehow become a bit stuck in time.

Since the dog can't speak for himself, we have to do as much as we can to keep the interest high, and not to mope. I hope this helps, but I know sometimes it seems that all we feel is the loss. If things don't improve, please call your vet for advice. I hope the coming days will be good for you and your dog.

Answer 2

I'm very sorry about your pets. Losing one is terrible and I can't imagine losing two so close together. Pets grieve just like we do. I've seen this more than once and it takes time for them as well as you. Show your dog lots of extra love and attention during this time. That will help a lot. A new pet may or may not help depending on the animal. I've seen it work both ways. The most important thing is to allow time for the grieving process with a lot of reinforcement to the surviving pet. How about throwing in some extra walks? That may help with the bathroom problems as well as give you time with your dog. Hang in there and good luck!

Answer 3

Aww sorry to hear about this!!
I've heard of a similar circumstance but in that case the dog refused to eat!
Maybe get a new dog if you feel that will make your current one feel happier or talk to a very good dog behaviourilist but i dunno if they'll be able to do anything.
Do you see any other dogs when you go for a walk? Before getting another dog i would see how your dog reacts to other ones. Even if you have a friend bring his or hers over for the afternoon and see if there's any change in your dog.

Answer 4

im very sorry to hear about that, i know exactly where u are coming from. the same happened to me a few years ago, my oldest dog had to be put down and i was distraught, so was our younger dog even though they never really liked each other! she didnt like the sudden change, the only thing i can recommend is to give it time, thats what it takes and gradually things will become more and more normal. i always think that as dogs cant really express their feelings any other way, it takes them longer to get over things. i promise with time things will get better xx

Answer 5

This happened to me a lot of years ago when my 12 year old dog went into a decline because her friend died. We honestly thought that she would not live long either so we got another dog.

She perked up and lived to be 20.

Answer 6

My dog was like this when I lost my other dog. But, I discovered, while fostering another dog for the shelter that I work at, she seemed MUCH happier. Most likely, your dog misses his playmate. You may want to take him to an animal shelter, see if he gets happier around other dogs. If so, maybe you should think of getting another one. I'm very sorry for your loss.

Answer 7

sure, our suited buddy "the canines" grieves even deeper then us... have you ever heard a real tale some boy wich lived in an house and performed along with his canines common jointly, while a million day the youngster fell over the swimming pool and died via suffocation, each and every week after the canines bounce into the pool and killed him/herself... properly, i do no longer think of that your canines will killed her self considering even with the undeniable fact that, she nonetheless have been given You, yet enable her grieve a sprint extra, and additionally you will furnish her a clean companion later... i might recommend a male puppies... no longer the grown-up one... yet another Chihuahua replaced right into a superb concept... did you already know that canines additionally grieves while they are approximately to die, they are no longer grieving on the subject of the dying, yet because of the fact they'll in no way meet their grasp anymore... My canines did... wish this help Bless You

Answer 8

Sign you and your sad dog up for training class. This bonding interaction and possitive reinforcement will make your dog feel better. Have fun with him and give him a lot of attention, especially praising him for perking up even a little bit. Good luck and sorry for your loss.

Answer 9

Yeah the poor guy is upset, Would you consider getting another dog? If it is bad I know you can get tablets for dogs but I'm not sure how much they cost.

Answer 10

dogs will pick up emotions from their human mom or dad ~ according to the dog whisperer so dont pamper him and treat him as normal as poss
check out the dog whisperer cesar millan on you tube ~ he is an animal behaviourologist and has done wonders controlling dogs and retraining their humans :O)
sorry for your loss