Can my dog be depressed?
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Hugos_Mum
21:32:35 Fri
Jan 23 2009
Can my dog be depressed?
Having lost our 9 year old boxer,Monty, 6 weeks ago our Hugo who will be 2 in March seems rather distant. As all Boxers, he is sooooo excited to see us upon any arrival, awaking in the morning etc etc, but there seems to be a lull, like now as I am writing, that he just lays in his bed not interested in sitting with us!! He is eating drinking as normal, although he did have a lapse the other day with food....just sniffing and waiting until later which is soooo not like him.........COULD HE BE MISSING HIS FRIEND??? Any suggestions of how we can compensate?
Katiesnowflake
13:47:04 Sat
Jan 24 2009
Re: Can my dog be depressed?
Yes they do grieve just like us. He is undoubtedlhy missing his friend and companion. All you can do is keep giving him lots of love and atention, take him out more and keep his mind occupied. Time will help heal.

The other thing that can make them appear depressed is thyroid problems, however I think grief is most likely the cause in your boys case.

Give him a big hug from us

Helen
SashasMum
12:02:28 Sun
Jan 25 2009
Re: Can my dog be depressed?
I would definitely make some changes and try and get his interest in life again. If he was human you would be encouraging him to do different things and to try and get out more. The same applies for dogs.

Change his meal routine - even if you just put it somewhere else - so you are making him think. Take him out of himself a bit more if possible.

Take him for walks where there are other dogs and he can interact, but definitely give him lots of cuddles.

Is there no way you could take on another dog for a pal for him?
Polo123
17:41:47 Sun
Jan 25 2009
Re: Can my dog be depressed?
aw, poor Hugo, hope he soon feels a lot brighter :bighug:
bnsmith928
23:18:50 Sun
Jan 25 2009
Re: Can my dog be depressed?
Sounds like he is grieving. I am sure he misses his buddy as much as you do.

When you are ready, it would be a great idea to get him another mate to play with. I know that isn't an easy decision to make right after the loss of one.

Giving him a lot of love and affection, just like the others suggested, would be very helpful.
sandyc
02:12:14 Fri
Jan 30 2009
Re: Can my dog be depressed?
All my kids were effected,when my babygirl Chloe passed.Especially,Molly and more so,Buddy.It will take time,as it did for all of us,here.Good Luck!I hope your baby is doing better,now.
SashasMum
08:16:02 Mon
Feb 2 2009
Re: Can my dog be depressed?
How is Hugo doing?
Hugos_Mum
21:40:53 Mon
Feb 2 2009
Re: Can my dog be depressed?
Hi Sasha's mum....Hugo is very loving and cuddly....he interacts very well with my 3 boys... they love him to bits as we do... I am finding it a problem with walking him and him being sociable with other dogs. He wants to be dominant over every moving thing outside!! I tried to take him out today and he was hysterical over a large lump of brown mushy ice he believed to be a cat!! Needless to say I took him straight home as he is soooo powerful I could not hold him. I have tried a ropey. choke chain. and half check. I am now considering training classes...... What is one to do?? I would like to say that normally my husband takes him out and does not feel strain of pulling and will only let him off in little park with no dogs.. When Monty (bless him) was here they seemed to interact differently......
Katiesnowflake
22:15:26 Mon
Feb 2 2009
Re: Can my dog be depressed?
From what you are saying training classes seem to be an idea. I have always used training harnesses and found them to be very good
Helen
SashasMum
22:16:43 Mon
Feb 2 2009
Re: Can my dog be depressed?
Please don't use a choke chain, they are ineffective and could end up hurting Hugo.

There are variour harnesses on the market that work well on a boxer, including the Walkeeze Harness. You might also consider trying a halti or gentle leader as this gives you more control over the head whilst not having to use much force.

I have ME and don't have much strength, so finding something to walk my girls with was vital.

Try walking the boys separately until you have Hugo's problems under control and yes, training classes will help. Not only with Hugo's situation, but with your own confidence in dealing with him.

Good luck
Hugos_Mum
20:52:51 Wed
Feb 4 2009
Re: Can my dog be depressed?
Good news Karen, I have Hugo signed up for training classes which start in 3 weeks. They have asked me to go next week so they can loan me various harnesses and walking aids to see which most suits Hugo before I buy yet another one!!

Wish me luck!!
Tracey
SashasMum
18:53:17 Tue
Feb 10 2009
Re: Can my dog be depressed?
That sounds wonderful - good luck!
Katiesnowflake
00:53:45 Fri
Feb 13 2009
Re: Can my dog be depressed?
Well done!

Helen
diogenese
18:11:33 Fri
Mar 13 2009
Re: Can my dog be depressed?
Hi, we lost or 3 yr old lily about two weeks ago, we had noticed that for some weeks that she seemed to be subdued or depressed and had taken her to the vets on several occasions, eventually she was diagnosed as having a heart murmur and was put on medication in november. Midway through february she became very noticably unwell and visited the vets, 3 days later she had to be put to sleep as she had severe renal failure.
Do not want to be alarmist but this was a bolt from the blue and obviously had been going on for sometime undiagnosed.
Having said all that when we lost our boxer sherlock at 10 his litter brother Watson was down for several weeks after.
Graham
diogenese
18:11:35 Fri
Mar 13 2009
Re: Can my dog be depressed?
Hi, we lost or 3 yr old lily about two weeks ago, we had noticed that for some weeks that she seemed to be subdued or depressed and had taken her to the vets on several occasions, eventually she was diagnosed as having a heart murmur and was put on medication in november. Midway through february she became very noticably unwell and visited the vets, 3 days later she had to be put to sleep as she had severe renal failure.
Do not want to be alarmist but this was a bolt from the blue and obviously had been going on for sometime undiagnosed.
Having said all that when we lost our boxer sherlock at 10 his litter brother Watson was down for several weeks after.
Graham


Can my dog be depressed?
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