He should adjust in time to losing his companion. However long that takes is questionable though and he will continue to be angry and feel neglected and reflect that anger with destruction just out of loneliness. It may improve with time and may not. You have to ask yourself is this fair for your dog? I would spend nearly all my time with him when I was home taking walks, etc. and if you can't do more than 2 hrs. it may be best to find a better home for him where he has a better environment. If his new home is a better place where there is a yard to run, and owners that can spend more time with him he will gradually accept the new home and owners. I know that is hard but may be the best. When your living situation improves you may think about owning another dog.
Other than that, working 2 jobs leaves the dog alone too much to be fair so you need to get someone…the same person all the time... over to your apartment to spend time with him if you don't want to give him up. He can bond to that person and that will help the loneliness somewhat. If you decided to give him up, the new owners could come over frequently for walks and visits before you gave the dog to them so that the dog would consider them friends before adoption, that would help the dog transition. I would not give that dog to an inexperienced owner though. That could end in disaster. It will do the same things with the new owner although it should get over the transition quicker because it will be in a better environment. Also, was your husband the dog's leader? You now have to be a positive leader for him because it sounds like he lacks leadership.
Help please before there is a problem
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Thanks so much for the advice…here we go
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we left our B with his parents once and it did just fine, but the first day was a little leery of the surroundings.
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So on Monday we found out DH is going to Virginia for his job on Saturday. He will be there without us until September 1. Indi (our b) is totally a daddy's boy. He knows when Turin is coming home and waits at the door for him. Only snuggles up under the covers with him. Incessantly walks around after him.
SOOOO since we will be apart for a month…oh and did I mention DH is taking the entire apt with the exception of Indi's kennel and toys with hi...what can I do to ease the transition?
Or am I getting myself worked up about it and then going to effect him. If I act like nothing is going on will he? Its only 3 weeks but I don't know if Indi can understand.
Right now he is 7m and for the last 5 has been going in to work with T almost every day so I think he will be missed?
Any help?
While there may be some issues, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your dog is to take Indi for a good long walk in the morning and in the evening. When I say long, I mean at least an hour or so. This walk will help you and Indi bond more and he will start focusing more on you. I always treat Roo with a few Cheerio's that I keep in my pocket in a plastic bag.
I do not want to beat a dead horse here, but I just cannot say enough about how wonderful long walks are for you and your pet. It improves their behavior and they are much more mellow.
Another thing you can do, is establish a play time for you and Indi on a daily basis. It does not have to be a long one, but it does need to be somewhat regular. We found a bunch of AKC stuffed animal toys at our local Big Lots for $3 each. Our Basenji just loves to play with them. I have heard it said that Basenji's will not retrieve or play fetch, but Roo seems to have no issue with it. One thing Miranda discovered is that Roo likes to chase an ice cube from the fridge around on our ceramic kitchen floor. Of course all of this is up to you.
I personally spend as much time as possible with both Roo and Bonzo. Of course there are always limitations to what anyone can do.
I think if you just plan some things like walks, play times, treats, and cuddle times, everything will work out for you just fine.
Jason
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Jason has some sound advice.
Let us know how its going. -
Jason,
Thanks for the advice. Indi and I started a running program called Couch to 5K and we are both loving it. I will difinetly set up a daily play time for us, I got him some puzel toys we can play with together.
Thanks so much for the advice and support. I really needed it.
Rachel
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Hey Rachel-
It gets really hard….I know how it can be...with DH gone so much....I think that the couch to 5K will help you deal with him being gone as much as Indi. Let me know if you want to meet at a dog park and comiserate
R
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Meeting at the dog park sounds like a smashing idea. When? We will be here until August 31
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I am up for this Sunday. I have to go to a (non-dog friendly) party on Saturday, so Jack will be cooped up in his crate, so I will owe him a fun trip. Do you want to do sun morning, afternoon?
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Sounds like a plan.. how about Sunday morning. When is good for you?
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How about 10:00 am?
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I'll be there! With the boy of course
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kiro and i moved 3 times this year…... and we broke up with her original daddy (of 5 mths)..... but i took over the MAMA dog role..... I find that training is fun for both and good for the dog.... learn to teach tricks..... one at a time... it takes about a week for one but after a month or 2 think how many you will have down!!!
I guess what im saying is maybe a doggie school would be good for bonding and you both..... good luck mama dog
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Robin, could you email me please
I need to meet later in the day like 1ish would that be alright????
I hope it is
