Dog behavior question

[Godsgrl]

I have a two year old bird dog/terrier mix. She was originally my dd's dog, but you know how busy teenagers are.. Anyway, dd has been gone quite a bit this summer, and when she is home, it's only for a day or two. Sweet Pea (dog) is so attached to dd, she is over the moon happy when she is home. However, I've noticed that when dd is gone, pup will sleep all day. It seems to only be the first day she is gone that the pup does this. Then she bounces back, and is fine.

Other people are home; myself and two other teenagers. We give her lots of attention, and things, but still the first day dd is gone, Sweet Pea will sleep all day. Is she moping? In all other respects, she is happy and healthy. Eating fine, running around and playing. I'd appreciate any insight you can give on this behavior. Thank you!!

 

[terrilhb]

Sounds like missing your DD. She will come around eventually. Hang in there. Beautiful dog.

 

[Godsgrl]

thank you Terrilhb.

 

[AnimalCrazed]

Is sweet pea still young? i had a pup of mine do that when ever i was gone, but luckly she grew out of it. You just want to make sure that it doesn't develop into something like seperation Anxiety that can be a hard thing to break! but with the other kids there to play with her that probably won't happen. She's just sad that her momma is gone (as long as mom returns) she should be fine.

 

[thebritt]

I'd recommend whoever is home the most take her for nice, long walks - maybe even with a pocketfull of little delicious treats. That should help distract her from missing DD a bit. My DD has a 10 yr old border collie that she did agility with since the dog was a youngster. Althea (the dog) is extremely attatched to DD. I've convinced DD to take Althea with her whenever she can. When she doesn't, Althea gets pretty mopey, too. I know what you mean - my DD is gone quite a bit (she's 20), but she realizes Althea needs her (Althea is epileptic as well as needy!).
Good luck!

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

I'd be appreciative of a quiet, calm terrier all day

It just shows that she's got a good head on her shoulders and I wouldn't worry about it, it also shows that she looks at your DD as a leader and just waits quietly for her. I'm sure she's fine and she sounds like a super nice dog.

 

[sourland]

Whenever we go away the Princess and I take our golden to our daughter's. There she has 5 humans and 3 other dogs to play with. When she comes home, she sleeps for 3 days--she's just exhausted.

We had occassion to go to our daughter's today without the dog. When we got home, she was all over me smelling me and my clothes for messages from her other pack members.

 

[welsummerchicks]

I would think she misses the daughter. Perhaps other people can do some more stimulating things with the dog when the daughter is gone, like walks, hikes, and playing games with a ball. So the dog doesn't feel that the daughter is the only one who lights up his life.

 

[Godsgrl]

thank you for all the wonderful suggestions, we will put these to use and see if Sweet Pea gets to feeling better.