Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

How to help my pining dog

40 replies

Shedmicehugh1 · 14/04/2018 16:18

Had to have my elderly Lab put to sleep yesterday, after 14 years. I have another dog, 4 year old Yorkie, he is missing his mate and seems quite deflated.

I have been out twice since yesterday, only for a very short while. Once to the vets yesterday and today to the supermarket.

My son and husband were in when I took my old dog to the vets, my Yorkie was howling. He has never done this before.

Today, my son was home, but upstairs when my husband and I went shopping. Yorkie was howling again after we left. He stopped once he realised my son was home, but sat on the stairs, staring at the wall.

Any suggestions please on how to help my Yorkie?

OP posts:

ItsNachoCheese · 14/04/2018 16:20

Im so sorry for your loss and for the loss of your yorkie's best friend you must all be devastated

Aprilmightbemynewname · 14/04/2018 16:21

Me personally would take him down the nearest dog rescue and find him a friend.
Not everyone's remedy I appreciate.

Original poster

Shedmicehugh1 · 14/04/2018 16:31

Heartbroken Itsnacho, my gentle giant 🙁

Aprilmight, I don’t think any of us are ready for that, however would consider it, if Yorkie cannot get over it. At the moment when I take Yorkie for his walks, he is quite wary of of other dogs. Tail between his legs, when others come to say hello. He isn’t usually like this, he is usually excited to see other dogs. Not sure it’s the best idea?

Yorkie cheers up, when I’m throwing his ball, on walks, but no interest in other dogs at the minute.

OP posts:

Original poster

Shedmicehugh1 · 14/04/2018 16:35

Would add I also have 2 cats, not sure I’m really up for introduction processes, still feeling quite raw myself.

OP posts:

Aprilmightbemynewname · 14/04/2018 16:37

We have 2 cats and recently got a new adult dog, no issues at all.
Cats have plenty of vantage points to escape if feeling uncomfortable. Have been nose to nose and no problems.

Original poster

Shedmicehugh1 · 14/04/2018 16:44

Thanks definitely something I will consider, just not sure about right now.

I’ve never had 2 dogs at the same time, until now. Never experienced the other dog pining for his mate. Will time help?

OP posts:

wibblywobblyfish · 14/04/2018 17:25

Our old dog threw his head back and howled and cried for a week when his sister died. It was heartbreaking. We just have him extra fuss and let him sleep in the old dogs bed, some nice treats to encourage him to eat

Original poster

Shedmicehugh1 · 14/04/2018 17:40

He has had extra walks, extra ball throwing in the garden, extra fuss etc.

He is happier when I am about. Comes and sits with me in the garden when I go out for a ciggie, as always.

Him sitting in the garden with me now. Not sleeping, just looking down 🙁 il get his ball out for him again in a minute

OP posts:

userxx · 14/04/2018 23:09

That's so sad. I think time will be the only thing that helps, or another mate, I can understand it's far too soon though. Lots of treats and cuddles.

userxx · 14/04/2018 23:09

That's so sad. I think time will be the only thing that helps, or another mate, I can understand it's far too soon though. Lots of treats and cuddles.

Original poster

Shedmicehugh1 · 15/04/2018 13:09

Thanks, if we do consider another dog, would an adult dog or puppy be best?

I have my Yorkie, 2 cats and 2 chickens. Only one child, my son is 14, has autism. He is very good with animals.

OP posts:

Aprilmightbemynewname · 15/04/2018 14:06

When our ddog was 4 we got a puppy!! She is a crabby rottweiler and very much liked her own company tbh, but she welcomed our new arrival - and the further 2ddogs we have also!! She still hates dogs outside the house though!!

Original poster

Shedmicehugh1 · 15/04/2018 18:02

Wow a houseful!! My Yorkie usually gets excited with dogs outside the house, pleased to see them, wags his tail, has a sniff, has a chase around, if other dog is playful! (His lost brother, was never a chase around type!)

He has no interest at the moment, tail between his legs, trying to hide. I suppose he is used to having his big mate beside him, showing him what do, a bit of confidence 🙁

He has stopped eating today and is really moping about. Only perks up for walks and ball throwing.

Il see how he goes, the next few days, another pal maybe our only option.

OP posts:

Peanutbuttercups21 · 15/04/2018 18:04

He is mourning his buddy

Animals mourn too

It takes time...

Aprilmightbemynewname · 15/04/2018 18:34

Amazing the friendships that can blossom...

plominoagain · 15/04/2018 18:38

We lasted about a week when we lost one of our greyhounds to cancer , as our girl just went to pieces . She lost loads of weight , wouldn’t sleep , crawled onto my bed at night , and was my shadow . Wouldn’t walk , wouldn’t run , and sat at the window crying .

I went to the RGT and cried all over them . New boy came two days late, and she lit up like a Christmas tree . She just couldn’t bear being alone .

Giggorata · 15/04/2018 18:53

My old lab went into a deep depression when his friend died. He moped round the place, no tail wags, barely ate and stopped barking.
We bought him a puppy and he had a further 5 happy years. I would never have fewer than 2 dogs now, they need the company.

userxx · 15/04/2018 19:12

@Aprilmightbemynewname I absolutely love your doggie photos that you post. The lurcher girls are just 😍.

Original poster

Shedmicehugh1 · 16/04/2018 07:04

Awww April lovely picture ❤️

He ate a bit of leftover lamb yesterday. He and my Lab, used to have a dinner time ritual. They would both eat from their bowls, then swap and check each other’s bowls.

Maybe I need to get another bowl and place it where Labs bowl used to be?

OP posts:

Greyhorses · 16/04/2018 07:16

My dog was like this and I ended up with a puppy a week later. I wasn’t quite ready but it worked out in the end.

Yogagirl123 · 16/04/2018 07:16

So sorry OP, it’s a heartbreaking loss I know. You are doing all the right things for the Yorkie. It’s a period of adjustment, he will get used to it with time and if you don’t get another dog, he might make friends with the cats. My dog and cats got on famously. Take your time, it will get easier, I know it’s hard to think it will atm.

fridaybloodyfriday · 16/04/2018 07:16

We managed two weeks with one dog before getting a pup to join our lovely bereaved dog. He was so have dog company again.

spiderplantsgalore · 16/04/2018 07:48

I'm so sorry. It's heart-breaking to lose one and see how sad the other is.

My younger dog had never been in the house alone and after seven years together it took her ages to recover when the older one died.

It took time but it was a happy day when she started playing with her toys again.

Whatdoiladymcbeth · 16/04/2018 07:52

I would get another dog. Go to your local dogs trust (you can take your dog once you find a suitable match) and they’ll help you pick.

If you don’t want to do that, take him out to lots of new places and lots of new exciting walks. Extra walks will be helpful but new will change his perspective.

NotSureThisIsWhatIWant · 16/04/2018 08:00

I was very concerned for one of my dogs when the other died (they have been together for more than 10 years). He stopped eating and looked very depressed.

I remembered that when I was younger one of my friends’ dogs died and the other stopped eating and died a couple of weeks later, so I allowed my dog to eat treats (chicken, beef, not the usual dry dog food) for a few weeks to ensure he was having enough.

I also let him sleep on my bed and took him with me everywhere it was possible, I tried to ensure he was distracted as much as possible (plenty of extra walks), until he seemed a little bit more cheerful.

He was ok but it took a good few weeks. I didn’t get him a new friend as I didn’t think he needed it that much, at the end of the day, he was a very old dog and spent most of the time I was away from the house sleeping.

I hope your little Yorkie starts feeling a bit better soon.

Flip

1 2