Riley is a nervous wreck
Haunted by Boscoe? Riley is growing more nervous by the day.
Crazy dog. He's always been skittish, but this is ridiculous.
After Boscoe died, he spent a lot of time hiding under the dining room table and lying in his bed, alert, head up, listening. And then he seemed to relax.
But lately he's regressed. He's nervous all the time. Any sound--any sound at all--seems to alarm him. On Saturday, Doug made a phone call. And just hearing the sound of Doug's voice sent Riley flying up the stairs and hiding behind the chair I was sitting in.
If one of us puts away the dishes from the dishwasher and they happen to clatter, as plates will do, he runs and hides. A loud cough, a bump, set your glass down too forcefully, drop a book--he's outta here.
I feel so bad for him--he just seems not to be embracing this whole "I am my own dog, the lord of my house, dominant to all" thing. We do our best to keep him calm. Don't hover. Speak quietly and in that artificial squeaky voice that dogs love. Stroke him gently. Make him sit for his food and his treats, to let him know that he can rely on us, that we are actually in charge.
It doesn't seem to help much, if at all. On walks he startles easily, looks behind him, stops cold and seems uncertain about going on. In the past we have tried Rescue Remedy (to no avail), a Thundershirt (with little result), a Gentle Leader Head Harness Which Presses on That Calming Spot on His Head (he hated it and tried to paw it off).
So what next? What do we do? Or just resign ourselves to an increasingly neurotic dog?
And what does this mean about eventually getting him a puppy? Would that be good for him, or send him into a complete nervous breakdown?
23 comments:
In my infinite wisdom I think that Riley needs a little time to absorb the fact that his pal is no longer around. Borrow a puppy to see if that takes his mind off the fact that his long-time companion is gone. I wonder if he's grieving and worrying about his own fate? Talk to a vet about it.
I wonder how his hearing and vision is? How does he act around other dogs..the visits with Patches always went well. He might need some play dates. He should have come into his own as the Alpha dog by now and be thriving. Pat the poor boy on the head for me:)
i think his health/hearing/sight are all fine; he just had a checkup last week with Dr. J and passed with flying colors. he seems robust.
he loves the playdates with Patches but after an hour or two it is clear he wants her GONE. i keep wondering how he would fare with a puppy---would he take it under his wing? or resent it?
Sounds to me like he is missing Boscoe and trying to make sense of the change. All you can do is stick to his routine, show him your love and hope he'll adjust.
It sounds like he needs some more time. I often think that dogs are a bit like sin-eaters when it comes to grief - they take on our grief and display it in a way that we can't because we're supposed to straighten up and 'get on with it' after a few days. Riley has no such restrictions.
I've had a couple of dogs who were completely out of sorts when their pack mates died. The solution for them was always another dog. After a period of adjustment, things improved.
Poor Riley. It must really suck.
Not having ever owned a dog, I'm of no help. I just feel sad for poor Riley, and all of you as you adjust to Boscoe's absence. Hope it works itself out eventually. I do like how you seem to understand your dogs' personalities; Riley kind of reminds me of me when I was a kid. I was VERY dependant on my older, more outgoing sister. I would have been a wreck if she suddenly disappeared. It was only in my early adulthood that I figured out I was OK on my own, without her to lean on every moment.
Poor Riley. I'm glad his checkup went well. When one of our dogs (Otis) was having anxiety attacks last winter, Dr. J prescribed him some puppy valium (technically known as Acepromazine). We don't give it to him often, but it calms him down when other things don't seem to be working.
Maybe fostering a pup would be a good way to scope out Riley's reaction to a new dog.
He might enjoy being the big brother and teaching the new dog the rules.
Ah, Laurie. I am so sorry for Riley. Maybe he just doesn't want you and Doug to actually be able to use any of that time that you used to use on Boscoe.
I have no solution...but you have my sympathy.
agree with ADDY (above) a beahavioral thing cause he misses Boscoe
Benny & Lily
I'm a born skeptic, but we've had some really good results with an anxiety wrap. https://anxietywrap.com/default.aspx
oh laurie im so sorry riley isnt doing well :( just have to hope like the saying goes time heals all wounds. boscoe has been gone 2 months now hasnt he? god doesnt time fly. how are you, are you missing him very much still. i know they say dogs can tell what your feeling. all i can think to offer is to just try and make him as happy as you can with lots of playing and fun walks to knacker him out so he is so tired all he can do is rest when hes at home. but i bet your probly doing that anyway eh :) fingers crossed it all comes right in the end xxxxxxx
Maybe a puppy would help focus his attention and energy in a positive way?
Poor pup.
Oh to crawl inside the canine mind and figure out what's going on.
He is grieving so much, isn't he? He probably took a lot of his signals from Boscoe, the leader and is now trying to figure everything out for himself.
Hugs to all 3 of you.
XO
WWW
I'm sorry Riley is having a hard time. I know that breaks your heart. It sounds like the staying alpha by keeping up his training for food should help. Maybe the house is somehow quieter now that Boscoe is gone. Like when another dog was around there was always ambient noise and so noise wasn't startling. I think he needs a buddy. :) He's never been an only dog right? Personally, I think a real puppy sister or brother is better than fostering. My feeling is that fostering will send scary message to Riley. After attachment (to foster) then there is loss (to adoption out). I think he would be happier with a permanent buddy. --Though, that could be me because I would use any excuse to get a puppy.
Love your blog and how you share.
--Kimberly
Post message on the Dog Whisperer site and see if Cesar Milan can help you guys out with ideas for you special pet!
Poor Riley. So hard to know what's going on. I think another dog would be good for him, definitely in the long run. It will be a major upheaval initially, though. For everyone in your house. A puppy is hard work. Maybe a slightly more grown up dog would make things a bit easier? I don't know.
I think a puppy would distract Riley and be good for him. I think the opposite sex is always easier for the main dog to accept. Though you have always had male dogs you might find that you like a female for reasons you never knew.
I wonder how he would like the radio on quietly in the background just to stop the damn quiet and its opposite? I agree with pondside about the taking on grief. Perhaps he just needs more time and to get used to a new ordinary.
Wonder if Cesar Milan would have any sort of idea? Could you drop him a note?
I'm no expert, either, but what I have found is that having two dogs most of my life, one dog usually lets the other dog do what it won't do himself. If I can make sense here. My one dog, Jazz was the big watchdog, barking at doorbells, people walking by. My newer dog, Thor, didn't do this until after Jazz died. When I started fostering, my fosters were often quiet in my house, letting Thor do all the alerting. When they'd get into their adoptive homes, the families would tell me the dog found his voice at their homes.
So, I'm thinking Riley is afraid off all the noises he felt safe with when Roscoe was around as protector. Now that Roscoe is gone, he feels insecure and is not willing to step up to take Roscoe's place. Another dog, may or may not do this, but I don't think a puppy would help until that puppy was older and you have no way of knowing if that puppy would grow up to be Riley's protector.
*Boscoe*
Sorry.
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