One dog passed away... Other now depressed... Help!

SuperCoblet

SuperCoblet

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Our eldest dog sadle passed away 2 weeks ago today who was 11 years old, we also have one of her daughters, Tilly, who is 6 now. She is coping extremely badly now Poppy's gone and last weekend she basicly committed suicide! We got home from a family party about 11pm, called the dog... No sign of her atall, went into the utility room, found a ripped open bag of grout across the middle of 'the room and White pawprints up to the garden to which we heard panting and choking in the hedge. Found Tilly with her head stuck in the fence (the type with about 5' squares) where she must have been for about an hour. We had to saw her out and pull the fencing apart to get it off. She was breathing heavily and we found a piece of wood stuck down her throat so we got that out and stayed up with her until 3am. Since then she has been up the garden crying and whining until we get home, then when we do she'll pace all the time. At night she has been eating the door frame and getting my wellies (no one elses) out and laying on them (she's always done this but not as often) we think this is a comfort thing. She is just generally depressed and it's so sad to see. Even now she's laying by my side on my foot and basicly cuddling her mums teddy that now goes with her everywhere.
Anyone got any tips or ideas on what to do? It's making our whole family upset it's so sad to see :(
Sorry it's so long, and thanks xx
 
Poor Tilly she does sound in a poor way. Could you get her a rescue dog(male) to keep her company. If you dont want another dog long term how about contacting one of the rescue places to see if you could foster.
 
Mum doesn't want another dog in the house atm as we feel like were just replacing poppy and Tilly doesn't really get along with any other dogs :/
 
It must be heartbreaking to witness,how long is she left on her own during the day? Could you get a friend or neighbour to come and take her out for a walk so it breaks up her day a bit. Leave her with Kongs stuffed with kibble & Primula soft cheese and put in the freezer before you give it to her and good bones from the butcher. The radio left on also helps and there is a plug in that is supposed to help them relax I cant remember what its called but Im sure someone else on here will know what Im talking about. Perhaps a chat to your vet would help he might be able to recommend a behavourist.
 
My Buffy was 6 when her mum died, and she took it very badly though not to the extremes your poor girl has. I just gave her loads of attention, took her in the car with me (obv not in the sort of weather we have at the mo), and even started training classes again with her. It took a while but she did come out of it and become her old cheerful self, but it is horrible to see them so depressed, and doesn't help when you are grieving yourself.
 
DAP plugs and collars. SOme people swear by them.
We had 2 GSDs the girl was older by 2 years, th boy had never been an only dog, he came from his mum at 10 weeks straight to our girl. When we lost her, every time we came home he would ignor us and look behind us to check if she was there before he would do anything else.
I hope she feels better soon x
 
I have just gone through similar in the last two weeks,although not as bad and slightly different as a keNnel dog,and also have a house dog,so still has lots of doggy company.
My dog that was pining spends an awful lot of time with me now,in one way or the other......Either by being right outside my patio doors,or out charging about whilst doing the animals.....i have also been giving her lots of treats,bones etc to keep her occupied.She has actually settle down quicker than i imagined and is seeming happier as the days go on.
 
I think you are being a bit over dramatic by saying she tried to commit suicide, dogs don't do things like that. They do silly things when humans leave stuff available for them chew, or eat. Your dog is obviously distressed and I know how you feel because my last dog got very depressed when her friend died. As soon as we left her, she sat and howled and ripped her bed to pieces. We dealt with it, by getting another puppy because she really did not like to be alone, she had always been part of a larger group if 4 dogs and was the last one from the group. I don't look at it as replacing the dead dog. I see it, as buying a new friend to share our lives with.

I believe dogs pick up on humans emotions, if you are all happy and confident, so will she be. The fact that you are all moping and pandering to her, will make her feel worse, not better. You should consider getting another dog and I would say you should try not to leave her all day (if this is what happens), also try upping her exercise, I think dogs who get lots of decent walks are much more settled and happy.
 
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