Need help for a depressed dog.

Carlene · Dec 7, 2012

My big 110 lb. mostly yellow Lab, Duke is depressed and I'm not sure if there is anything I can do. We had to put our other yellow Lab, Tara to sleep three weeks ago - cancer, and since then, Duke is moping around, sleeping a lot and just looks so sad! I wish I could do something to help him! We do have another little rescue dog we got a couple months ago, but....he doesn't want much to do with her. She wants to play - he wants to ignore her. Not sure if there's anything I can do for Duke or just let time heal him.

Any suggestions?

Carlene

Lady MacBeth · Dec 7, 2012

I had the same thing happen when I had to put my older dog down. The younger one moped for weeks. It just took some time and a little TLC. Good luck! Losing a pet is terrible for everyone.

Bushrat · Dec 8, 2012

Oh, the poor boy - and I'm so sorry for your loss.
If possible, I'd try to take him for more walks or to the dog park more often. Increase the retrieving and play sessions. Dogs get the same happy-hormone release from excercise that we do. If he doesn't want to go, bribe him with treats and maybe incorporate a little snack time at the turnaround point or at the dog park, so he's got one more reason to go (I'm not in favour of using treats for training and such, but this is where they may do a lot of good).

Plus, pamper him with the things he loves best, though I'm sure you're already doing that

Sending you guys my best wishes.

heyjude · Dec 8, 2012

Oh, Carlene, I'm sorry.

I agree that time and plenty of love it what it'll take. Poor guy.

GingerGunlock · Dec 8, 2012

Bushrat said:
Oh, the poor boy - and I'm so sorry for your loss.
If possible, I'd try to take him for more walks or to the dog park more often. Increase the retrieving and play sessions. Dogs get the same happy-hormone release from excercise that we do. If he doesn't want to go, bribe him with treats and maybe incorporate a little snack time at the turnaround point or at the dog park, so he's got one more reason to go (I'm not in favour of using treats for training and such, but this is where they may do a lot of good).

Plus, pamper him with the things he loves best, though I'm sure you're already doing that

Sending you guys my best wishes.

This! Give him that separate attention from your other dog, and try to get him motivated and loving life again.

(I am in favor of using treats for training, especially if the dog is as food motivated as mine is ^^)

frimble3 · Dec 9, 2012

Loss is harder on animals than on people, because they don't understand what happened. You can't explain what happened to your other dog, or why he won't return. You just have to give him time to adjust. Seconding the 'extra attention and play time' ideas.

patskywriter · Dec 9, 2012

Treats and playtime are great—but don't forget that labs are working dogs. They usually like to work and enjoy being trained. So, make sure that some of your playtime involves 'meaningful' games like fetch. Also play games that include your giving whatever commands your dog already knows. By taking advantage of your dog's natural instincts, he'll feel useful (as he's supposed to) and will hopefully improve that much quicker.

Carlene · Dec 9, 2012

Thanks everyone for the excellent suggestions. He is getting better and of course I've been giving him lots of extra love and kisses - and treats.

When we lived in San Diego, my big Lab, Clarkie, died at home. I had two female Labs and made sure they both smelled his body before we took him away. They were depressed but seemed to snap out of it better. This time, we put Tara in the car and left - never dreaming she would not be coming home. Of course poor Duke was upset!

Carlene

Liralen · Dec 10, 2012

Something you might try, too, to help him through the grieving period is Bach's RescueRemedy. I know quite a few who have given it to their dogs for everything from separation anxiety to fear of thunder to grieving and have seen it help.

Carlene · Dec 10, 2012

I've never heard of it but will give it a try. He is getting better, slowly but surly.

Carlene

backslashbaby · Dec 10, 2012

I'm so sorry! That is so sad

Maybe you could walk your sweet older one with the younger one. Walk with a purpose, like tell them to go to certain trees or bushes and sniff and pretend the walk is to inspect the territory or something. I find that 'pack walks' help bond dogs, so maybe he'll begin to be amused by the new addition

regdog · Dec 11, 2012

So sorry for your loss. ANother one here for the extra attention that is solely for your grieving lab, treats, hugs and kisses.

StephanieFox · Dec 12, 2012

Time and love is what's needed. Dogs mourn, just like people do and the way to heal them is the same as with humans. Do keep trying to play with and otherwise engage your dog in activities with you and your other dog. I think that will help in the long run. I'm sorry the dog is so unhappy now. Give him an extra kiss from me.

Need help for a depressed dog.

Carlene

New kid, be gentle!

Lady MacBeth

Out, damn'd spot! out, I say.

Bushrat

reaching for the sun

heyjude

Making my own sunshine

GingerGunlock

paralibrarian

frimble3

Heckuva good sport

patskywriter

Carlene

New kid, be gentle!

Liralen

Miss Conceived

Carlene

New kid, be gentle!

backslashbaby

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regdog

The Scavengers

StephanieFox

Maybull the Bulldog

Need help for a depressed dog.

New kid, be gentle!

Out, damn'd spot! out, I say.

reaching for the sun

Making my own sunshine

paralibrarian

Heckuva good sport

New kid, be gentle!

Miss Conceived

New kid, be gentle!

~~~~*~~~~

The Scavengers

Maybull the Bulldog

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