Would getting a new dog help?

[totiredtosleep]

Last November we had to have our 17 year old dog collie X pts, leaving our 7 year old terrier as an only dog. We had planned to remain a 1 dog family, however our little terrier now seems so miserable.

He is rarely left alone for more than 2 hours and pretty much has a life of luxury (cosy spot in front of the fire, sleeps on the bed, 3 walks a day, plus fuss whenever he wants it). He had gone from being a bouncy playful dog, to what seems like a depressed dog, who just forlornly mopes. He's been to the vets, they can't see anything wrong, they have just suggested he is lonely, even though he has full time human company.

We are now considering rehoming a young dog (not a puppy) as this seems like the only thing which may help. Any other ideas or suggestions? Anyone been in a similar situation who can give feedback on how getting a second dog worked for them?

I asked a lot of people this question when we were considering getting a second dog. Most people said once the initial surprise had worn off the dogs became inseparable. It's worth a try, if you can stomach the thought of returning the new dog if it doesn't work out.

We were in exactly your situation, DDog1 was heartbroken- it was pitiful to see.

This was compounded by him being a very anxious little dog and viewing BlackDog as a mother substitute. When she went it was like his while world imploded and his behaviour was just like you described.

The arrival of DDog2 was not greeted with universal joy it must be said, in fact Ddog1 was most put out by his arrival and a couple of times we had issues Overall though it did improve his quality of life, though he could be described as tolerating DDog2 (and DDog3 to an extent) rather than being devoted to him IYSWIM?

It may be worth contacting rescue centres. Our first dog adored the next arrival, having met him in the rescue home playground. Rescue centres tend to be very good at matching the dog you have already. Ddog 3 was very tiresome and I'm sure had we gone to a dogs home he would not have come back with us. It is good having 2 dogs. We moved up to 3 when the 2 were getting a bit older. 7 is not old! Keep your eyes open and have a look. We are now up to 4 dogs. We lost the 2nd and had a massive dog-holed shape in our life so another came to live here, and just recently we have taken on a puppy. I think we are probably mad.

My older lad grieved terribly when we lost our old girl. At first he developed separation anxiety, which we did get him over with a lot of work, but he still remained low and depressed even then.

We brought home a pup after four months and he was seriously unimpressed at first. He tolerated, rather than liked him and it's been a gradual bonding process ever since.

Pup is now 20 months old and our older lad is generally much happier and particularly loves charging around after him on walks. He's not as close to him as he was to our old girl (they used to squeeze into the same bed all the time, whereas he will often grump, then get up and move if our younger lad tries to snuggle up to him) but over the past couple of months he's started letting him at least put his head or paw on him while they sleep and will share the big mattress bed with him.

I suppose their relationship is bound to be different though, given that she was a mature bitch that was here when he came as a pup and was very much a maternal figure to him.

So, it's not been plain sailing, but overall he's happier for having our new lad here and it certainly stopped him moping around and being depressed - after he'd got over the initial shock and the pup had had time to mature a little.

I would suggest the possibility of perhaps fostering another dog, with a view to homing and seeing how it goes from there.

If he's miserable id give it a go.

We were a two dog home, Scottie and westie, Scottie though younger was 'da boss'. When he sadly died we worried about the effect on the westie but in our case because the Scottie had been such a larger than life character the westie transformed from a quiet little dog into a wonderful, outgoing, bouncy pup.
He didn't seem to miss Scott at all so he remained an only dog until he died.

I think if we'd been in your position and he has been obviously affected we would have looked for another companion for him and I think in your shoes id be tempted to go for it, though I do understand your trepidation.