Posted on 08/07/2015 2:30:04 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED
I need some advice on my dog. I had 2 dogs, both rescues for the past 11 years. They were pups together.
Solitare was the best dog in the world. She was a farm lab. No breeding but all character. She was Athletic, loving, smart, funny and exuberant.
I lost her Tuesday to metastatic cancer.
I was hoping for some mothering instincts to show up.
I have had four dachshunds. There was an eight year difference between my first and second and they got to be pretty close. After, Sophie died at fourteen, little snickers did the same thing. She would not go into the grass for at least six weeks. She would do her business and then run into the house like she was scared. Absolutely did not want to be outside. No idea what it meant, asked our vet and he didn’t know either.
I have heard that a pup can teach an old dog new tricks.
Go to the local place where they do dog training. Go in and ask the instructors. Not because they have “special” training, but they have experience with all sorts of dogs in all sorts of situations. Those people LOVE dogs.
Now understand, they can be weird, but you will get some great objective behavioral advice.
Not a dog expert, but here is one thought: Spend as much time playing with Jackie AWAY from the house/yard where the scent of Solly lingers, which will basically be forever unless you have the place professionally cleaned by someone who does crime scene clean-up (very expensive).
Dogs experience the world as much through scent as vision. Every moment you try to play with Jackie at home, she will be distracted by the scent of Solly. So build new experiences away from those scents.
Just a thought.
They were like sisters, constant bickering but loyal to each other.
They used to run in the yard shoulder to shoulder like a team of horses.
One thing to consider is how you hold up. If you have a somewhat older doggie now, and get a similarly-aged dog, how will you be if they both go out pretty much at the same time? At least with a younger dog, you should have some years when your older dog passes.
Thanks , Joe
Just for a visit to see how your dog reacts.If that goes well then maybe start a search for a similar rescue dog.
Hugs, Pro.
I’m glad to see you, I wish the circumstances were better.
“Spend as much time” should have been “Spend as much time as you can”...
..and so I think Jackie is partial to a female companion, based on your comments.
No problem. I’ll give you the benefit of my experience. My Timber was a very assertive GSD. While he was extremely well disciplined, I would exercise him vigorously, give him lots of work to do, and occasionally wrestle him just to keep him reminded of who was in charge. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I rescued Ranger, who was pretty much the opposite...in addition to having been neglected and abused, malnourished and heartworm +, it was obvious he had little to no discipline, but was also kind of timid and withdrawn. Timber provided a lot of structure to him and Ranger was perfectly happy and comfortable being the beta for a few years. When Timber died, Ranger was left in much the shape your dog is, but I was not in a position at the time to take on another dog. I started taking him to the dog park on a very regular basis, and/or PetSmart where he could interact with other dogs, and it did him a world of good. I like the recommendations here about adopting an older, more mature dog, or fostering. Both viable options I think. In the interim, keep her busy...fetch, playing with her, even regular iterations of simple commands (sit) with comforting rewards to give her purpose and structure.
Hey, Taz.
Wish I could offer advice, but looks like you’re getting plenty from folks already.
I’ll just add my heart-felt condolences for you and Jackie. (And Taz-Man).
I know, it is hard to watch. So sorry for your loss. I remember when each of my guys died, there was the other one to worry about how they were mourning, eating and getting on. How does she do with other dogs now that Solitaireis gone? Hang in there!
Great suggestion, Thanks.
Great suggestion.
I’m suffering.
Solly was truely a great dog.
When she was younger the Vet said she would be an ideal therapy dog due to her good disposition.
Well, Ol Buddy couldn’t run around and be silly with her but she definitely entertained him and cuddled with him at night. Herding dogs need something to fuss over
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