Depressed Dog
By RedBurnet
@redurnet (1799)
United Kingdom
March 2, 2017 1:52am CST
Two weeks ago my eldest dog died and her companion has gone into a state of depression. He is a Springer Spaniel and since his friend died he has been exhibiting lots of anxiety and sadness. He is a retired gundog and suddenly he wants to retrieve almost the entire day. He seems to find comfort in holding his retrieving dummy in his mouth but is almost obsessive about it now. He has also been biting his feet and howling and can't be left alone. He keeps looking for her all over the house where she used to lie too even though she died right in front of him so I thought he would understand she is gone. It has only been a fortnight but he seems to be getting worse, not better. I've had many dogs in the past but none of them have reacted like this. They were very close and he was brought up with her from being a puppy and he is 10 now so they were together for a long time. I've been walking him more in different places, playing new games, giving him bones that last for ages but nothing is helping right now. Any help would be much appreciated.
11 people like this
16 responses
@minx267 (15527)
• Hartford, Connecticut
2 Mar 17
I think you need to find him a new buddy. Adopt an older dog from the shelter. Since I got My first dog in 1990 and it took me a year (and a lot of destroyed stuff) to figure out he didn't want to be alone when we went to work I have always had 2 or more dogs... (I have 4 now) I think they really like and in some cases need that companionship of a friend to comfort them and lay on the floor next to them or the couch or your bed.. lol.. they are all over in my house.
- Good luck with your baby...
2 people like this
@redurnet (1799)
• United Kingdom
2 Mar 17
Thank you, he used to be one of three dogs so he was used to companionship. I would really love to get another dog but I'm worried about when to do that if he is still depressed. How long should I wait? In the past I usually leave it a couple of months before bringing a new dog in.
@minx267 (15527)
• Hartford, Connecticut
2 Mar 17
@redurnet He sounds like he could benefit from one right away.. I would go to a shelter and see if there are any you like and they usually let you bring your dog to see if he likes them.. see if he does.. if there is a connection i think you will know it.. or maybe try bringing him to a dog park and see if there are any other dogs that he can hang out with... maybe that will cheer him up.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130212)
• India
2 Mar 17
That indeed is a difficult situation for you to help your dog get out of his mourning. You can consult your Vet as they are experienced and surely would have handled such situations.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130212)
• India
2 Mar 17
@redurnet Do you think it is advisable to wait that long?
1 person likes this
@redurnet (1799)
• United Kingdom
2 Mar 17
@allknowing I think it will be okay to wait another couple of weeks to see if he improves.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
10 Mar 17
Might have to find a Dog park to take him too where he can be around some other dogs and find some piece. He might also be lonely to where getting another dog might be a solution?
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (48480)
• Mojave, California
19 Mar 17
This makes me sad and whoever says animals do not have a emotions is a fool. The best thing I can think to do is get his mind off his lost friend. Maybe another dog, maybe just keeping him busy. Let kids from the neighborhood come play with him or something to that effect.
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6408)
•
6 Mar 17
oh, i'm so sorry about your dogs. do you think getting another companion would help?
1 person likes this
@redurnet (1799)
• United Kingdom
6 Mar 17
thank you, we have thought hard about this and have decided to wait until next month before visiting the local shelter to see if he'll get on with any other dogs. He seems to be getting more used to be alone now and his anxiety has definitely diminished, thankfully. We think another month will give him time (and us) to adjust.
1 person likes this
@skydream (1446)
• Agate, Colorado
2 Mar 17
I experienced this too, my dogs were only around each other a few years but when one passed the other constantly looked for him and would cry and go where he always was. Eventually what helped was we had got another dog that was a puppy, she got better being alone and seems more at ease now that there's another dog
1 person likes this
@pammooratan (4668)
• India
2 Mar 17
It shows the great nature effect being a living thingh. I hope he will recover soon .You may consult with vet doctor also.
1 person likes this
@luisadannointed (4171)
• Philippines
2 Mar 17
Just always be there for him. That is really sad. Of they are there for a long time it's hard to accept that one already passed away. A friend of mine has a dog and a parrot. When there is a big fire they try to get the dog but the dog doesn't want to go.... Which weird because dogs sense when there is accidents or bad things happening... But it keeps on barking at the stair, and when they look where their dogs is looking at they saw the parrot already collapsed.. So what they did they get the unconscious parrot and the dog start running with them.
1 person likes this
