Help for my Depressed Boxer Baby...

[shnooka842]

Help!! I think my 3 yo Boxer, Lola, is depressed.
Recently (about 2 months ago) my 3 yo Irish Terrier, Zoey, was killed by a Mountain Lion. Lola rushed outside when she heard Zoey cry and fought off the Lion. By the time we got out to the yard it was too late. Fortunately Lola suffered only minor scratches.. Zoey however didn't make it..:(
Soon after Lola became very withdrawn. She wouldn't eat, wouldn't socialize with our other dog, Inez (1 yr old Cocker Mix) and wouldn't venture off into the yard alone. Our hearts were absolutely shattered and seeing Lola depressed made it worse. We understood that she would need some time to grieve and we tried to help her in every way possible.
After a couple of days Lola began to eat and eventually she started going into the yard alone. However, she is still not socializing like she use to and at times she ventures off to be alone. My husband and I make her play and take her out for her walks, but she is still not the same. We also noticed that she is very clingy, sometimes following us all around the house--stuck to our legs like glue. She was never this way.. what can I do? I am so worried about her. Does anybody have any suggestions??

 

[cody&duke]

I am so sorry for your loss. That must have been horrible.

I don't have any suggestions but it sounds like you are doing everything right...hopefully she will come around soon with lots of love and attention.

 

[Cami]

Just like you Lola needs time to grieve. When I lost a 12 year old cat the remaining one who was older by 2 years was so depressed. She had spent 12 years with her "brother". I had only thought that they tolerated each other but when he was gone she was just heartbroken.

It takes time and alot of extra TLC but eventually Lola will come around. Don't be surprised if you finding her searching for Zoey. My cat did this for days.

Good-Luck with her and I am sorry to hear of your loss.

Susi & Cami

 

[mancin]

So sorry for your loss. :( I wish I could offer words of advice. It sounds like you guys are doing everything you can... I wouldn't force anything on her. Good luck.

 

[ljnash]

Have you thought about getting another boxer?? That might cheer her up to have another pal around. There are plenty of rescue organizations with lots of boxers waiting to be adopted!!

 

[lafsalot]

My other two dogs were devastated after Mya's demise - wouldn't eat; went room to room crying; etc. I finally got another boxer, and although it did not replace their ol' companion, the new pup managed to elevate everyones' spirits. ~ Cathy

 

[kassa]

I suspect that she's a lot more traumatized about having had to fight a mountain lion in her back yard than even the loss of her companion. As sad as some dogs are when they lose their companion, the trauma of the attack is much more likely to be causing the ongoing issue of clinginess.

I would be very sure to treat her matter-of-factly. If you baby her when she's being clingy to "comfort" her, you will only be reinforcing her fears and showing her that they're legitimate. (Which they are, to a certain extent, of course) If her fundamental temperament is solid, she'll eventually bounce back, but it's important that you step up and act like nothing has changed. If she hesitates in the doorway, stride right out. If she leans up against you, move away and encourage her to play.

If you're nervous about her behavior, and she senses that, it will be a vicious circle. She needs direction from you that everything's back to normal.

Most dog "grief" appears to subside within days. They know there's a loss, they know somebody's missing and people are sad, but they adapt pretty quickly. Trauma, on the other hand, can produce more lasting problems.

And since it was a three dog household, you are also experiencing a pack shakeup, and my guess is that the terrier was the pack leader, which makes for a power vacuum which she and the other dog may not have worked out yet. The dynamics of two are quite different from three - if the terrier was truly the head of the pack, that could explain why she's avoiding the other dog -- she doesn't feel ready to challenge for the title right now, but isn't ready to concede it, either.

 

[shnooka842]

Thanks a lot to all of you..
Kassa--Your right about Zoey (terrier) being the dominant or head dog. She pretty much set the "rules" for the other dogs. As for the trauma, I can understand what you mean...it would be a scary thing for anyone. The mountain Lion actually killed two of our dogs... (we had 4 females). It killed a 1 yr cocker spaniel mix (Concha) in June and then Zoey in September. So in all Lola has fought the Lion twice... the first time she was scratched and bitten pretty good, 2nd time minor scratches. We just found it strange that she wasn't affected by Concha's death, but traumatized by Zoey's. Again it could be like you said.. that fact that this Mountain Lion was in her back yard..again. Does it matter that Zoey and Lola were raised together?? We pretty much got them at the same time.

We will try our best with her.. see what happens. Also.. we are looking into getting another boxer, maybe that will help. Thanks again you guys..

On a brighter note.. The Mountain Lion is gone! We assume he left the area (all the wildlife ie: coyotes, javelina, have returned), hopefully Lola will be a little more secure.

 

[Gillie_Bean]

There Are Anti Deppression Pills For Dogs

Seperation Anxiety Is A Far Greater Problem Than Most Dog Owners Realize. The Anxiety Can Be Manifested In Extremely Destructive Or Neurotic Behavior When The Owner Is Absent. All Too Often, The Behavior Is Dismissed As A Simple Temper Tantrum Done Out Of Spite Or Done Because The Dog Is Just Plain Destructive. Animal Shelters Managers Say That This Problem, Which Can Be Dealt With Effectively, Is One Of The Major Reasons That Owners Abandon Thier Dogs Or Leave Them To Rescue Organizations. Im Most Cases, Behavior Of This Kind Is Due To The Dogs Uncontrollable Fear Of Being Left Alone. The Behavior Is Almost Always Expected From Dogs Who Have Been Abanded At Some Point In Thier Lives. Some Dogs Who Have Been Forced To Undergo An Extreme Change In Thier Living Conditions Will Also Exhibt This Neurotic And Destructive Behavior.
A Drug Called Comicalm Can Help To Relieve Seperation Anxiety So That Gradual Retaining Can Take Place. You Can Ask Your Vet If This Will Be The Right Option For You And Your Dog.

 

[hanley]

Just a warning, things could really get worse! Get some help.

Is it the same moutain lion that keeps coming back?I think you need to call wildlife & game,see if you can't get rid of this big cat,if it comes in your yard that can be very dangerous,this cat is not afraid & could attack you or even kill a child. Please contact them,don't lose anymore dogs from this cat or it will only get worse,next time it could be you.This cat can be removed without being killed. Hanley