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Emily94 · Jul 9, 2010, 10:15 AM

All right, here is the situation. My sisters dog and my dog have lived together since they were both 8 weeks (There not related). They spend all day together: There in the same kennel together when were not home, go on walks together, eat together, sleep together, play together, etc. My dog gets depressed when my sisters dog is not around (If my sister goes camping or something and bring her dog). Now my sister is moving out and of course her dog is going with her. I do have another dog but he is getting older and his health is deteriorating (He has seizures, arthritis, just contracted kennel cough and pneumonia, and no matter what it keeps getting worse), I am worried my dog is going to be lonely without my sisters dog.

He goes to the dog park often (Probably not as often without my sister around since she is usually my ride), and I play with him all the time when I am home, but he still gets depressed if my sisters dog leaves for a weekend. Do you have any suggestions on what to do? Getting another dog is out of the question, my mom is already struggling to pay for the older dogs vet bills, and I can't afford another dog myself.

tickle · Jul 9, 2010, 10:19 AM

Hi Emily, there will definitely be some separation anxiety. Dogs, cats, any animal that spends a lot of time with an animal friend over a long period becomes attached and there is a lot of affection between the two. Just like we humans.

Your older fellow would be more attached and bonded with you though and this may carry him through this hard time of separation from the other dog. There is nothing more you can do then what you alreadly do. You play with him, walk him, talk to him, feed him. Just support him a little bit more, go out of your way to cuddle him, pat him etc.

He is really quite old at l2. It will be difficult for him with his health problems but we do what we can if we love them so much.

Tick

JudyKayTee · Jul 9, 2010, 10:20 AM

I feel sorry for your dog! I've always had more than 1 dog and when one has died the others have really been lonely, some more so than others.

I think you just have to keep your dog entertained, perhaps more walks, more dog parks.

I'm glad you're realistic about not getting a second dog due to the expense but that is also unfortunate because the dog would be lucky to have you.

Emily94 · Jul 9, 2010, 10:32 AM

I'd just like to clear something up, I have one dog, my mom has one, and my sister has one. My sisters is leaving and there will still be two here (I don't know if you guys understood from my post, I just reread it and it doesn't really stat that there is three here now:P). Anyway, Im not so worried about the older one, he just lays around all day anyway. It is the younger one I am very worried about.

--My grandma offered me to "Borrow" her dog for a few weeks to make it easier on my dog. Would this help do you think? Or should I just give my baby extra extra attention?

Cat1864 · Jul 9, 2010, 10:46 AM

Try to keep things as normal as possible. Extra attention (other than exercise or 'work') or treats will only reinforce that he should feel anxious because his buddy is gone. Give him a few days to 'grieve'.

You are already moving into the room she lived in with the odors from her pup still very strong for your animal. Try not to make a big deal about the changes. Watch him to make certain he doesn't backslide on his potty training.

Emily94 · Jul 9, 2010, 10:52 AM

Would visiting her make it worse on him?

My dog had separation anxiety when I left and he would chew fur out to the point he would bleed, it was pretty sad (He grew out of it), but I don't want that to happen again, it was devastating to see my poor boy like that.

Cat1864 · Jul 9, 2010, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Emily94

Would visiting her make it worse on him?

My dog had seperation anxiety when I left and he would chew fur out to the point he would bleed, it was pretty sad (He grew out of it), but I dont want that to happen again, it was devastating to see my poor boy like that.

Maybe play dates at a neutral place. With your other problems with him, the dog park might not be a good a place. Perhaps another relative or friend's house with a well fenced in yard.

Emily94 · Jul 9, 2010, 11:05 AM

He has actually gotten a lot better at the dog park, he hasn't gotten in a fight for awhile. He has a friend at the dog park who is there every time we go and the two of them go off and do there own thing and ignore everyone else. We don't take him too much though (about 3 times a week, we used to take them everyday, sometimes twice a day)

JudyKayTee · Jul 9, 2010, 11:30 AM

I wouldn't arrange visits with the dog that is moving out - if your dog does grieve, let him forget and get over it. If there's another dog there I would think he'll be fine in a short period.

I don't know how long dogs remember - my husband has been dead for going on 3 years and last week I was emptying a closet, my dog came in, smelled my late husband's jacket and got all excited. Then she moped around for the rest of the day.

Cat and I obviously have had different experiences when there are multiple pets and one dies - mine never got anxious because they got more attention.