Hi guys, please I need your advice. My GSD 'Runt' experienced a something traumatic yesterday and he is not taking it well and I do not know how to help him.

I felt they were becoming too friendly so I resorted to locking them up during the day only to release them at night. He is always together with 'sasha ' a female of the same breed and when he destroyed his door in his several attempts to break out I started keeping them both together. Yesterday I locked them up before I left home but found sasha dead on my return. She tried to bring out her head from a narrow opening and got stuck. She died of accidental strangulation and all the while 'Runt ' was there.

He has not being himself since yesterday. He does not bark or growl, does not move around, just lies limply and has refused to eat since yesterday.

I stayed home today so he is not alone. Have done all I can to pet him but he is inconsolable. Please what do I do?

I suggest you try getting another dog to keep your dog company

Namdeenero:
I suggest you try getting another dog to keep your dog company

Thank you. I do have another but they have never been real friends cos 'Jeff' who is older used to beat 'Runt' up. I think 'Jeff' was jealous of 'Runt's' close relationship with 'Sasha' who was female.

I will get another eventually. Thanks for your imput.

Pet lovers, Dog whispered anybody in the house, please is there no quick advice for me? He is fading before my eyes. This happened on Friday and his last real meal was Thursday evening.


Help please somebody!!

Give him time with intensive care

Sorry for your loss. It must be painful experiencing such a loss while watching your other pet slowly slip away. I'm not a dog whisperer of any sorts, however, it appears the incident made your pet slip into depression (yea it's a thing). I saw this online sometime ago and thought you might find it helpful,.Though not all the recommendations are readily applicable here but you could find a few tips useful.

Two Primary Reasons Dogs get Depressed:
1.Your depressed dog may be feeling down because he is physically unwell. Many medical conditions ranging from an upset tummy to cancer will make him feel this way. Before you start to treat his mind, make sure there is nothing wrong with his body by taking him along to your veterinarian for an examination.

2. If there has been a major change in the household, your dog may show changes in his behavior that look like he is depressed. This is particularly the case if his canine companion or a much loved family member passes away. In a sense, dog depression associated with grieving is a normal response, but it can go on for some time. - See more at: http://www.dogtemperament.com/dog-depression/

I am also not a dog whisperer but I agree with you that this dog has been deeply traumatized. I may suggest you look for ways and means to get it to socialize with mature calm and likeable dogs to make new bonds of friendship and just maybe it might recover. You may also consider selling or giving it out to someone that knows what happened and is also interested in helping it recover from the trauma. The environment may not be suitable for a quick or good recovery as it puts back the picture of play with the late dog and the trauma it witnessed together constantly playing a back and forth.
If you choose to deal with the situation on your own in same environment you will need loads of patience and love for this dog.
Cheers.

rodmann:

Two Primary Reasons Dogs get Depressed:
1.Your depressed dog may be feeling down because he is physically unwell. Many medical conditions ranging from an upset tummy to cancer will make him feel this way. Before you start to treat his mind, make sure there is nothing wrong with his body by taking him along to your veterinarian for an examination.

Thank you for your input. I really do appreciate. Knowing how active he usually is and was on the day of the incident I have no doubt whatsoever that 'Runt' is depressed. However, his vet came over today and found absolutely nothing wrong with him physically. He did give him some anti-biotic injections though and a drip since 'Runt' has not eaten in five days now. I had him force fed yesterday and over night he threw it all up. Neither canned food, fish, meat or dry food interests him. I am convinced that he wants to starve himself to die but I have told him severally that I will not let him die.

kolokolobi:
I am also not a dog whisperer but I agree with you that this dog has been deeply traumatized. I may suggest you look for ways and means to get it to socialize with mature calm and likeable dogs to make new bonds of friendship and just maybe it might recover. You may also consider selling or giving it out to someone that knows what happened and is also interested in helping it recover from the trauma. The environment may not be suitable for a quick or good recovery as it puts back the picture of play with the late dog and the trauma it witnessed together constantly playing a back and forth.
If you choose to deal with the situation on your own in same environment you will need loads of patience and love for this dog.
Cheers.

Thank you for your input. I have no doubt that the environment reminds him of sasha. Recently he has resorted to staying in 'Jeff's ' room. I planned to take him on car rides how ever the nature of my job has prevented that for now. I might take him to work with me tomorrow but I am loath to restrain him in anyway because I know he hates chains. I am certain a change of environment will do him some good. I wish I knew someone who would take good care of him on my behalf. In my experience when I asked someone to dogsit for me when I travelled, I think they used their supplies for their numerous dogs. *sigh*

Thanks guys.

Try taking runt on a walk....if u av neighbors DT own a pet(dog most likely) u could take him there and spend like 10mins there then u guys can stroll back home....I think if u do DT for sometime with other suggestions given by other monikers above, he will be back to the runt u know