Please help my mourning dog sleep at night

[penguin70]

I've posted before regarding my 2 cockers worrying about a bad diagnosis for the mum from the vet and telling my DC and you were all so helpful and lovely.

Well that was some time ago, everything went well and we've had almost another happy year together.

The mum, Whisky, died unexpectedly but peacefully (i presume) in her sleep during the night last week. When I went to let the dogs out in the morning whisky was cold in their crate but rhea her daughter was still bright and happy. My DC have been amazing with eldest digging her grave and carefully placing her in her box. Really couldn't have wished for a better ending and goodbye but we're not surprisingly having trouble with rhea at night time.

She's getting extra walks and attention during the day ( I'm at home all day) and seems really happy with no unusual behehaviour but at night for a number of reasons want her to sleep in her crate by herself downstairs and she is miserable. She cries and whimpers all night because of loneliness. She didn't always share the crate - her mum sometimes slept in the same room but out side the crate but they've always been close. I've washed all the bedding that whisky died on and replaced it with unwashed bedding which will still carry whisky's smell. Is it just a matter of time ?

When whisky was by herself when rhea was at vets she howled , messed and peed all over the place, and was generally extremely distressed and vet said there might be med for that level of stress.

Rhea is nothing like that, just sad ...

Thanks for any help x

Ahhhhh, so sad.

For newly homed puppies missing their mum, a good tip is to wrap a (old fashioned type) clock with a 'forceful' tick in a blanket and to put a (not too hot) hot water bottle in with them, the warmth and ticking substitutes some of the comfort they get from the heartbeat and bodies they would normally be curled up with.

Maybe you could try that to see if it takes the edge off for her. :(

Hope it gets better soon.

Thanks Gin, I remember my grandad doing that - that's where I got the idea for the 'smelly' bedding. Will try at least hot water bottle tonight, especially since snow is forecast ! Unbelievable!

Ahhhh - good luck, I think it is good you have given her bedding with the smell - that will certainly be helping. :)

Dont be mean, let her come up to bed with you, in the crate if you have room at end of bed or make room for it. If it were me, I would have the dog on my bed but i am a softie

Am reluctant to bring her upstairs since DH suffers from allergies. DS2 also has problems - he is going into hospital tomorrow for lung function and allergy tests, perhaps if he gets all clear for dog triggers I may reconsider. Downstairs is all hard floors and much easier to keep clean than carpeted upstairs.

We got the pair as adult dogs who had always been kept in a crate at night . I got a lovely basket for them but unless they were in their crate they would mess on the floor so although I love the dream of a shared bed it isn't happening !

What about a DAP collar ? I bought one for my rescue dog from Mr Pet & its worked fantastically for her.

Thanks Willowisp - I've never heard of that. Last night went well - lots of extra snuggly blankets rather than just waterproof normal cushion,hwb and an extra walk before bed. Will order on of these though, sounds like a great idea.

OOOooo pleased to hear last night was improved. Light at the end of the tunnel. :)

Will you be getting a companion for her sometime?

Thanks gin. Can't sleep an hour after being woken by rhea crying. Refilled her hwb and she's snoring away happily leaving me staring at the ceiling...hmm.

No, cant commit to companion, will probably be returning to work and moving to much smaller , maybe rented place within the year because of finances. Life a bit rubbish just now but definately cheered by a waggy tail
again

A waggy tail goes a long way to making the world alright, saved my sanity a few times. Hope you've managed to stay awake today and things look up soon. :)

You can find a homeopathic vet who can give something. It helped one of our dogs years ago who lost her pal.

First of all, I'm sorry for your loss.

Secondly, have you considered using a DAP diffuser?

We have used both the diffuser and the spray (use the spray on their bedding) and found it really effective both for our older dog when she's stressed around fireworks season and our lurcher when/if he has to be separated from the older dog for any reason.

Oops - just realised someone has already suggested a DAP collar. Oh well, you might not have know about the diffuser and spray, so will post anyway.

Glad she had a better night last night.