How to help a foster depressed dog of a divorced couple

PERGUNTA:

I'm fostering a purebred Doxie [dachshund] for our local rescue organization. He is 6 years old and has been with his owner since he was a pup. A divorce made it necessary to them to give up the Doxie. He has been here [for 3 days] and he hasn't stopped whining, crying, not eating well, pacing from door to door and window to window. When I let him out in the fenced in yard, he will sit at the fence parts facing the road and just stare! He also trembles and has that 'far away' look in his eyes. I have taken him for a walk to show him that nothing around here looks like his familiar places, but that didn't help. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can help this poor boy?

Escrito por Barb em 14 de fevereiro de 2006 para a lista Petdogs-L do Yahoo Groups

RESPOSTAS:

Have you tried frequent treats? The author of one of my favorite dog books suggests that dogs can quickly adjust to seeing their new home as positive if it involves super high-value treats--I think she uses raw liver as an example.

Also, perhaps, being very routine and making sure he knows where "his" space is in your home?

One of my 3 dogs, who I often think is perhaps not that bright, is a very routine-oriented dog. Once I moved his bed about five feet from where it always had been, and he stood for a couple of hours [!!!] just staring at where the bed should have been. I can imagine that if his whole world was disrupted, that would be a huge adjustment for him.

I don't know if liver (or whatever the dog really loves) would help the transition, but I am guessing it would--I guess the theory of why he is sad is that all the places and people he has positive associations with are gone. So, it makes sense that the sooner he builds up a whole stock of positive experiences in the new environment, the sooner he might feel at home.

Escrito por mperry em 14 de fevereiro de 2006 para a lista Petdogs-L do Yahoo Groups

Lots of physical contact. Have aquired two girls from different owners that had to give them up. First one's mom died. Second one arrived 4 yrs later that had to be given up. 11 and 6. Mega physical contact. Waken up through the night with crying out. Got on floor and just cuddled and reassured them. First one had violent vomit and diahrrhea for 4 months. Was a tough one to deal with. Lots of car rides and doggy parks now with still reassurance during nightmares for the one I have had for almost 6 months. She still cries out sadly at night. Take her to bed with me and she settles. Tis very sad but, I see the look of love in their eyes coming out slowly. The 11 year old doesn't let me out of her sight. Doggie canteen in car for day rides. Show the love.

Escrito por Cyndi em 14 de fevereiro de 2006 para a lista Petdogs-L do Yahoo Groups

I would try an anxiety wrap. You can find them at: www.anxietywrap.com or...a TTouch body wrap. The anxiety wrap is rather pricey and in a pinch you can use a child's t-shirt and pin up the extra material. It's suppose to be snug but NOT tight. I've had really good luck with them.

It's possible that tethering him to you might help him as well. High value treats might help but ime I've found doing a lot of ear slides (ttouch) and having them tethered to me, along with an anxiety wrap, was the most helpful.

Escrito por Cher McCoy em 15 de fevereiro de 2006 para a lista Petdogs-L do Yahoo Groups

UPDATE:

[He] is over his depression!

[The day before yesterday], I took him to a friend who owns an antique/garage sale type store. He was scared to go inside, so I picked him up and carried him in. This told me he wasn't very socialized. So we proceeded to sit in one of the comfortable lounge chairs there and sat and watched all the people go by. Many, many people would pass him and speak to him and even pet him. A lot of kids would come and ask permission to pet him (this surprised me) and I would let them. [The dog] started livening up! After two hours, we left. He felt better and I felt better!

When we got home, I gave him a tasty treat of boiled chicken (he didn't know what Milk Bone biscuits were, or rawhides or dog chewies were....sad, eh?). That perked him up more.

So, all day [yesterday], I would treat him with chicken or roast beef and now he thinks he is in heaven. Or....as they say - a way to a guy's heart is through his stomach! He no longer sits at the fence and cries, he no longer paces in the house and stares out the window when he hears a car or truck go by, he eats his dog food without having to mix it with canned food and best of all, he now interacts with my dogs.

It took 7 days to figure this out, but we got it figured out. Maybe some one can use this solution if they come across the same problem with their dog.

Escrito por Barb em 20 de fevereiro de 2006 para a lista Petdogs-L do Yahoo Groups