Doggie Depression

[Lurch]

So last Friday I had to put down one of my labs. She was 13 and had a tumor on her heart and a couple in her liver. It came on very sudden and was a very emotional good bye for the family.

We have 2 other dogs that were around her since they were pups. Our hound dog could give a fly f that she is gone but our other lab is having serious issues. She howls and whines every time we leave now but is fine when we are home.

Anyone ever have this problem and short of adopting her a buddy what can I do?????

[BushMasterBoy]

BBQ her a steak. Cut it up. Mix it with the regular food. She will love it!

[HoneyBadger]

Sorry about your loss. Try to get her out of the house a little more - dog park, hiking, or just running around outside should help.

[Sawin]

Sorry about your loss. Try to get her out of the house a little more - dog park, hiking, or just running around outside should help.

I second this ^.... and play with her more. Give her extra attention that she knows is intended specifically for her.

[Lurch]

She has about 3 acres to play on while we are at work and we have been drowning her in attention. I'm just worried since we are going out of town in a few weeks.

[roberth]

Steak.

[Hoser]

Puppy

[Zundfolge]

My guess is that the dog that passed was the alpha. She's not feeling secure about the pack order or her place in the order.

So while steak will make her feel better for a little bit, it'll just take some time for her to get comfortable with the new order of things.

[UncleDave]

Pup always works. She will develop a crazy deep bond with that pup. That's how I have always handled it. Works for the humans in the pack too.

[Mazin]

Puppy


This^
the lab is having separation anxiety, she thinks that since her buddy left and never came back that you might do the same. Is she crated when your not home? Why I ask is because if she is make she to leave something that smells like you for comfort as well as her favorite toy. This is something she will work through in time, just like us they greave too. A puppy would help divert her attention that's for sure, especially a young one she could treat and guide as her very own.


Sorry about your loss Bud trust me when I say your in good company, a lot of us have lost pups here lately.

[Great-Kazoo]

I second another dog. HOWEVER a puppy is no the answer. ESPECIALLY if you're leaving town for a few.

[Monky]

Sorry to hear Lurch...

Time and a new puppy.

[Bailey Guns]

Sorry you lost your friend.

[EvilRhino]

Maybe try ProQuiet to see if that calms them down a bit.

[TheGrey]

I'm so sorry for your loss- saying goodbye to a furry family member is hard on everyone.

Do you have any neighbor children that can play with your dog, especially during the time that you're gone?

Before you leave, clean up all areas of the pet that has passed on. Scent triggers memories and anxieties. Take some extra time and teach your dogs something new- get their mind off the routines that normally included a dog that is no longer there. Try to find some trusted neighbor kids that will run and romp and play with your dog, so her attention is distracted and she gets worn out instead of being stressed.

Think about getting a new pup upon your return.

[OldFogey]

When you return get a puppy. It'll be good for her and it will be good for you.

[Dave_L]

Sorry for your loss. I dont think you can ever be ready for that day, expected or not.

[sellersm]

Sorry to hear! There are good essential oils that help our pets, be sure to follow all safety guidelines for pet usage! Adjustment is the key, the pack is now different than it was before. Time heals.

[hatidua]

I've heard very mixed reviews on using a puppy/new dog as the fix for a dog that is depressed over the loss of another dog in the family. We went through essentially the same thing two years ago and in asking several family friends that are veterinarians, more advised against it than for it as the puppy ends up getting all that attention that puppies do and the remaining (likely aging) dog is now playing second fiddle. We opted to let the remaining dog live out her days as our primary focus rather than having her compete with a puppy. Both are now gone so it's hard to ascertain if we made the right decision but I don't think the puppy solution is right in every situation.

[Lurch]

Thanks for the condolences. This one really hit me hard for some reason. Ever since my surgery 3 years ago I seem to really hate death now.

We maybe moving to a condo in a few years so adopting a puppy is out of the question. We have a neighbor that takes care of them while we are gone and they seem to really like her so I will have her give her some extra attention. I'm going to give it we get back and see how she is doing.

[Jer]

First & foremost sorry for your loss.

We went through something similar (healthy dog got cancer and had to be put down at 8 years old) and while it's too late to help you I feel the need to post this because for us I feel it made all the difference. Our other dog was present when she passed and was laying next to her in bed (see sig for details on in-home option) and as soon as she went he got up, sniffed her, and hopped out of bed and walked away. Things did change somewhat but we feel he handled it very well considering they were by each other's side 24/7 from when they were puppies. We had lots of horror stories of friends taking one of their dogs to the vet and coming home to confused dogs who later would howl in the basement at all hours and other heart crushing stories. While I have no way of knowing if this was the difference or not or if it would have been different in our situation or not I firmly believe he knew when she passed as evidenced by him laying by her side up until the exact moment she was gone and I also believe that helped him cope with her being gone.

Again, I'm sorry for your loss and I know this doesn't help you much but it could help someone else.