Adopted dog is depressed
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| My poor boy. We adopted him in January when his family of 10 years (!!) Gave him up after a bad medical diagnosis. We've been caring for him ever since. He's very intelligent, understands voice commands, rings a bell to ask for things. So I imagine he hasn't forgotten his old owners. He seems down. It's hard to get him to smile. We give him so much love. I wish I coukd heal his pain. Anyone BTDT? |
Anonymous
| I don’t know. But poor pup. A new toy? Lots of petting and treats? |
Anonymous
| Does he like to be brushed? Talk to him and brush him with a doggy brush. You must create new traditions with him that are pleasurable and makes him bond with you. Another thing would be to get him a complicated toy with treats hidden in them, something that makes him use his mental energy towards getting the treat. |
Anonymous
| Aw, that's sad, and you sound very sensitive. He's lucky to have you. |
Anonymous
| We adopted a dog whose owner died. Our vet recommended long, daily walks and fluoxetine. It took about a year but she got better. We also did the hidden treats but that actually increased anxiety in out pup. (She's nutty about food.) The long walks really were the best solution. |
Anonymous
| No advise but please give your dog a hug and a kiss on the head from me. |
Anonymous
|
Awww, the poor guy!
Here’s what’s worked for me: Every morning I sit on the floor with formerly traumatized guy, gently massage him from head to tail, and talk to him in a soft happy voice. It doesn’t really matter what I say, I just chat away and throw in lots of praise about what a good boy he is. It’s a nice way to start the day for both of us! A few times during the day I’ll walk up to him and take his head in my hands, look in his eyes and tell him how much I love him, massage his head and shoulders, put my arms around him and gently hold him for several minutes—again while talking and/or singing to him. What seems most important is that I give him my undivided attention, if only for a few minutes. Good luck with your guy and thank you for saving him! |
Anonymous
Agree with this. I know it's easy to empathetically feel sad for him and sort of do the "poor baby" or "what's the matter?" behavior and voice around him, but at the risk of sounding woo (too late), they really do pick up on our energy when we're with them. Try to think positive and speak happily to him, even if he is moping. Be overly excited when youre getting ready to go on a walk, play, etc. Maybe a day a week of doggie daycare, if you're comfortable with that (and if he likes other dogs)? But most of all, he just needs time. He is grieving, and that's a real thing. It's hard for them, because although we definitely grieve, we also understand. He doesn't understand. They loved him, maybe for all his life, and then they're gone, and he doesn't know that they're not coming back. Maybe you're just a petsitter, which at 10, he's probably experienced before, and they will come back and take him back to his familiar home (they don't have a sense of time, so nine months could be a week in his mind). Some dogs bounce back surprisingly fast and are like "yayyyyy, I love it here, this new place is awesome," but some are really sensitive. I love your post. When I read the title, I was like "oh, no, is this another person during COVID saying that "the dog I adopted during lockdown isn't "connecting" with me or doesn't feel "mine" (real things shelters and rescues are hearing when dogs are returned). Thank you for sticking by him, even when it probably doesn't feel that rewarding. I bet one day you'll come home, set your bags down, and he'll come to the door and wag his tail and be happy to see you, and you'll cry. Good luck to you. |
Anonymous
| This made me tear up! Dogs have such strong loyalty and feelings. I bet you’re doing all the right things. You could always ask the vet for some medication if you think that would help? Also look into switching around food or treats—maybe his stomach isn’t doing well? |
Anonymous
| Ask your doctor for an antidepressant or anxiety medication. It's a real thing and you can pick it up at your local pharmacy, the vet will be $$$$. |
Anonymous
| Let him sleep in a special person's bed. Be forewarned this is permanent. |
Anonymous
|
Get him a dog friend?
Teach him to talk? https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexgurley/bunny-the-talking-dog-from-tiktok Just keep telling him you love him. They understand. |
Anonymous
|
Just chiming in with sympathy. I adopted two seniors who had both been given up by their longtime families (separately). They don't especially like each other, but fortunately both seem pretty emotionally resilient. I do look at them every night as we all settle down to bed and get teary at the thought of how much unwanted change they've had in their lives. One of them is pretty glued to me and the other, who is less of a velcro dog, actually needs more pro-active attention. As a PP suggested, I spend some quality time lying on the floor with her every evening and she loves it. They are hounds and they love long, meandering walks where they can just sniff and read the neighborhood mail. It seems to calm both of them. All that, and Xanax for occasional anxiety has worked wonders in the more anxious of the two.
Thank you for adopting a senior! |
Anonymous
| Good advice. Yes, give them your anti-depressants. It makes a lot of difference. |
Anonymous
PP quoting myself. To clarify: Xanax prescribed by the vet. |