social

Dog Turned Aggressive After Older Dog Died?

I have a 3 year old Ridgeback who has always been a fun friendly dog. He has lived with our family and an older German Shepherd. We had to have our Shepherd put to sleep. Since then the Ridgeback just shakes all the time and growls if any of us go near him. It's bad enough grieving over the loss of my dog, let alone the upset of the one we have left turning nasty. I have two kids that love the dog to bits. They have always been really close so it is upsetting them, too.

Advertisement

By a glt

Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!

 
February 14, 20150 found this helpful

Your grief is affecting your dog. Animals grieve pretty efficiently if left to their own devices. They live in the moment. What's happening right now is at the forefront of their minds.

Humans are unique in our ability to reminisce about the past, and in a way, actually live there. Dogs are confused and upset by this and will show neurotic behavior.

It's important to let go of the Shepherd. He was a wonderful companion, but he no longer lives in your home. Your other dog knows this. Remove his scent ("ghost") by removing all of his items, including bedding.

Advertisement

If you aren't quite ready to donate them, at least put them in storage containers somewhere out of the way, like a garage. Steam clean or shampoo your carpet and sofa. You can keep framed pictures of his dog, but don't keep his things - they carry his scent to your other dog.

Start a new routine where you focus on your other dog. Play with him. Get him used to being with you again. Then walk him every day. When he's behaving normally again, start taking him to the dog park. Start seeing him as your "new" dog.

 

Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!

 
In This Page
Categories
Pets Dogs AdviceFebruary 14, 2015
Pages
More
🌻
Gardening
🍀
St. Patrick's Ideas!
🐰
Easter Ideas!
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
Instagram
Categories
Better LivingBudget & FinanceBusiness and LegalComputersConsumer AdviceCoronavirusCraftsEducationEntertainmentFood and RecipesHealth & BeautyHolidays and PartiesHome and GardenMake Your OwnOrganizingParentingPetsPhotosTravel and RecreationWeddings
Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2024-03-03 07:23:52 in 4 secs. ⛅️️
© 1997-2024 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/Dog-Turned-Aggressive-After-Older-Dog-Died.html