Dog Advice Please............

[Lumpy]

I would like some advice from anybody who has had a pair of dogs that have been together all of their lives.

Maggie the Sag is 9+



She lost her Mum (Pip the Plop) last week. As Mother and Daughter they had always been together. Mags has never been an only dog and has started to show behaviours she did not have before Pip died.

We have, for the last 30 years always had 2 dogs. However, none of them have arrived as a long term pair. Rescues and end of life fosters have become pairs if they get on (which thankfully they always have except maybe for the snotty Basset)

Mags sits by the back door constantly, had a go at savaging the hoover yesterday and kicked off at the Collie she has met and never bothered with before.

So....................any advice on how we can help Mags to adjust to being on her own?

[veggiechicken]

I've had pairs from rescues - like Rosie and Mary who may have been mother and daughter. It took a while for Mary to stop looking for Rosie but she was a laidback dog anyway and didn't seem to worry about it.
Keep Mags occupied, playing fetch or whatever she does, perhaps.

[Snoop Puss]

She's very distressed, obviously. It doesn't sound like more dog company would be a good idea at the moment. I'm not sure there's much you can do but what you're probably already giving her: lots of extra love and attention. Are you able to give her any additional distraction? Walks in unfamiliar places, for example? Treats spread around the garden that she has to snuffle out? I know that's not easy, though, and it could take a while for her to adjust.

[Runtpuppy]

I know a lot of people think he's full of the stuff we use to condition our soil, but I find Cesar Millan's advice to be very VERY helpful.

I used his tips on my dog and converted him from a dog who'd growl at every other dog he saw to one who mostly ignores them unless they approach him. If I were as good as the dog whisperer, my furface would probably be playing happily with other dogs. Alas, I'm not so I'll take the victories I get.

In this situation, Cesar would probably say that Maggie looked up to Pip as the authority figure. Now that she's gone, and you're obviously distressed about the loss as well, she decided to take on the leadership role. Since animals consider distress to be a result of a threat, she is now trying her best to protect you. Hence the attack on the possible threats.

In this case, the first thing you'd need to do is to stop feeling sorry for her loss and take charge. Just treat her as you normally would when the mother was alive. Keep her exercised and maybe try not to let her see that you're upset.

Dogs don't grieve as humans do. She'll miss her mother for maybe a day and then get on with life. It will help her if you pretend that you've moved on as well, so she doesn't think she has to 'take care' of you.

[Lardman]

My take on it would be the same as Runtpuppy, you also need to assure her that although Pip is gone you are not and you're still in charge.

But what do I know I can't stop Max from eating sofas.

[Lumpy]

Thank you all. Some good advice.
I’ve ordered a Kong to help with her boredom.
Yes, I do feel sorry for her so maybe me reinforcing myself as the leader of the pack would help her.

She’s not destructive or aggressive but lost.

[SarrissUK]

If you notice she is distressed, don't comfort her like you would a child. That'll just make her think that you want that behaviour from her. I know it sounds really harsh, but tell her off when she's being off with other dogs, or moping.
I lost Jasper, my lovely 16 year old (I thought he was only ten) collie lab mix earlier this year. My rottie teenager has only ever known life with him. She cried and howled for him for three weeks after he left us. She's settled now though, but it took time. She only howled when I wasn't there, so I told my neighbours to tell her off through the wall during the day.
She definitely knew he was missing, and she was sad.
One of my cats got run over at Christmas last year, and his best make, who up until then had been a silent cat, started yowling, shouting for his best friend - the saddest, most haunting sound I've ever heard in my life. That went on for a good three months, and it made me cry so many times. Some animals are just more emotional than others... and they need time, just like we do