I've been blessed to have Lilly, my Italian Greyhound, for almost eight years now. Her best buddy died about six months ago. I have a younger Italian Greyhound who constantly bosses Lilly around. Lilly just seems sad. The only remedy that I can think of is to give her extra attention, love and time, away from the controlling little young one.
What else do you think would help cheer her up? My husband and I decided to take her "bye bye" by herself as much as we can and just spend time with her. By the way, I have three other dogs so Lilly definitely shares her attention time among the others.
If you have any kind suggestions, I thank you from my heart. I love her so much and it hurts to see her so sad...
2007-12-01 16:36:55 · 12 answers · asked by gentle understanding 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Dogs mourn just like people do, but you already know that. Your poor Lilly is still in mourning. Her life seems empty without her friend. She has to find her place in the pack again without her friend sticking up for her. I think you are doing everything ok --giving her special alone time with you goes a long way to make her feel special and loved again. You are doing everything right, she has to work some things out on her own. She will get past it - it just takes time, and lots of love. I feel for you and for her. It's hard...but this too shall pass.
2007-12-01 16:57:18 · answer #1 · answered by hally_soboleske 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This may sound cruel and I don't mean it to be....because I love my guys. But dogs are dogs and they have dog rules. We want them to be human and they simply are not.
1) dogs need a pack leader. and that should be You and Your husband and human children if you have any. and there are ways to establish that.
2) your dogs will establish a pecking order and if you pet the wrong dog first, or you feed the wrong dog first,....then you are causing confusion in their group. See who is dominate and who is the most submissive. DO NOT PAY FIRST attention to the submissive one The others will then pick on that one to put them in their place. It's a dog thing. I see so many owner who cause problems this way
3) Pretend to take a bite of their food before you put down their bowl. You are the leader and you get the first bite. Be sure each dog is sitting calmly before you put down the food and be sure to feed in the proper order. Different locations Is OK. My submissive 65 lb male prefers to eat 3 rooms away from my tiny little docile looking 30 lb cocker. We know who the boss is in the pair.
4) The more you favor her the more the new guy will pick on her.
AND DOGS DO MOURN for a lost companion. My little cocker really misses his old buddy and since they used to share an ice cream each week, after Oliver went home to God, the Boo would not eat ice cream for nearly a year.
great dog help: http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/
2007-12-01 16:54:54 · answer #2 · answered by Lyn B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lyn B knows what she's talking about. Dogs mourn but don't have the capability to remember 6 months later. Paying more attention to Lilly more than the other dogs will create a vacuum and Lilly will be picked on by the other dogs because of this. Treat her the same as the others and you will see things work out. Dogs don't have the same social rules as us humans do.
2007-12-04 02:17:00 · answer #3 · answered by jrbw01 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When my cat died, my dog missed her alot. About a week after her death, my dog squeezed himself into her cat bed, for the first time ever. Nothing really can help except time and your love. I wouldn't do any thing else right now, since this is already a big enough adjustment for her to get used to. I agree with the first person who said youre rewarding her with the extra attention, in regards to the younger dog. Give the younger one obedience instead of just alone time with Lilly.
2007-12-01 16:43:49 · answer #4 · answered by ♥shelter puppies rule♥ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Poor things grieving.
Getting her out and away from all the memories is a good thing but rather than giving her extra love step up and reprimand the other dog everytime it gets bossy and put a stop to it.You're the boss not the younger dog and it needs to know it.
2007-12-02 02:56:06 · answer #5 · answered by ozzy59 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have welcomed a new puppy into our family this week. Our first dog is an adult cocker spaniel. I was worried he'd feel left out or replaced, so I bought a dog training book and my daughter (Who is HIS human- he absolutely adores her and she him) and I have been teaching him a few new tricks. It's allowing him extra attention and it's a great source of entertainment for the whole family to watch him "perform."
2007-12-01 16:44:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you sense mad and unhappy and hate your existence ... over a telephone. once you have a superbly good one already. somebody needs to get out greater, spend some time doing for others who truly have something to sense mad and unhappy over, yet are merely grateful to have a existence in any respect. evaluate volunteering at a safeguard, serving nutrition to the homeless, etc. i'm sorry you have those expectancies. What a tragic international we live in whilst that's seen as a issue.
2016-10-10 01:19:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
By treating her special, you are encouraging her behaviour, you are telling her it's good to act like a sucky. You are keeping her in a sucky depressed state by encouraging her to act this way for you.. You should get over the other dog dying, and allow Lily to get on with her life. Dogs are NOT depressed for 6 mos over the death of another dog. Dogs live in the moment and very quickly get over the death of another dog.
Treat all your dogs the same.. Not special for one, they should be treated as they are totally equal to one another.
2007-12-01 16:46:51 · answer #8 · answered by DP 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Try taking her somewhere happy and spending time with her like to a pet store that allows leashed dogs, or take her for a walk. Take her to the dog park, or even get her and the other dogs a new gift, like a chew toy, only get them all the same one, but in different colors, they won't be able to tell the colors apart, but you will.
2007-12-01 16:43:42 · answer #9 · answered by Tina S 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Aw=(
Bless her heart=/
Be sure to give her ALOT of extra one-on-one time.
Take her on walks, just you/husband, and her.
Maybe let her sleep in your room for a while
Play with only her once in a while
Is there a local doggie park where you live?
If so, try taking her there to play!
She might make a bew buddy to play with!
2007-12-01 16:44:36 · answer #10 · answered by Ashley 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋