fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #3135 ]

⌈ Secret Post #3135 ⌋

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[Supernatural]

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[Floraverse]

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[Star Trek: The Next Generation]

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[Bryan Cranston: Breaking Bad vs. Malcolm in the Middle]

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Notes:

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How do you console a sad dog when all the usual methods (peanut butter, playing tug-of-war with chew toys, etc.) aren't working?

Hugs? Ear or belly scratches?

Already tried all that. :(

Do you know why the dog is sad? Is it lonely or in pain or something?

AYRT

His owner has gone on a trip and left him with me.

If the owner left any clothes he could smell, give him those? Other than that I would just spend time with him and make sure he keeps active, on walks or whatever. He might not be cheered up right away, but keeping him company and keeping him on a normal schedule should help him overall.

Is there any reason why the dog is sad?

AYRT

(copypasted response from above)

His owner has gone on a trip and left him with me.

depends on the reason they're sad, and the breed.

unless it's a health issue I've found close proximity helps, don't need to make a fuss of them, just sit with them. Also, dog's I've had have taken comfort in the family being together, so if there's more than just you and the dog in the dogs life that might be a way to go. If it's a health thing, tho, I don't know. my dogs always get really anti social when they're ill.

AYRT

Thank you!

He definitely isn't ill, he's just lonely.

If you're a person the dog already has a good relationship with, you could try sticking some of your dirty clothes in their bed. Sounds weird, but if they're feeling anxious having something that smells familiar helps.

Go for a walk somewhere together. Try somewhere new that has interesting stuff for them to stick their nose in and roll all over.

Stick a movie on or grab a book and let them squash you and dig their elbows into your gut while they try to get comfy.

Sunlight apparently does the same thing to dog brains that it does to human brains so that might help.

AYRT

He does seem fond of my dirty towels, but I left some on the floor for him this morning and he didn't bite.

Thank you for the advice. :)

Why is the dog sad?

it lost money in its stock market portfolio

Damn... Poor dog, that does sound terrible.

Awwww, poor darling. I think you could try with petting him a lot, or walks. How long will the owner be away? Can you call them? Maybe listening to his owner's voice might help him a bit.

Run up and down the nearest flight of stairs, pausing only to shout "lets go" at the top and bottom. The dog will first get curious as to what you are doing, then excited. At that point make a big fuss over the dog and go out for a jog. Make sure to keep talking to the dog during the jog and actively pointing things out (even though it looks silly happily saying "look at that, its a car" "hey, lookit billboard") just don't let up. Dogs respond to endorphins same as us, and also take their mood cues from us too. Happy owner, happy dog.

AYRT

Thank you for the advice! (Though I'm not his owner. He's my sister's dog.)

If the cause of sad is something you can remedy, do that. If it's something more vague like its scared or doesn't like being alone during the day - confidence building exercises. Give it a bone for alone time. Just chill together.

Slow gentle pats under the chin.

Is it the kind of dog that needs a job? Teach some commands and tricks, they do like structure and predictability in their lives.

And make sure it's not playing you ;) or just suffering sad eyes face

Edited 2015-08-04 22:56 (UTC)

AYRT

Thank you.

(He's definitely not playing me. I've known him since he was a puppy, and I can tell!)

Do you have something that smells like the owner?

My mom had to leave for a week so she basically worked out in a shirt to soak it with her sweat/scent and put it on my dog's cushion. My dad said my dog would curl up on it and sleep.

Maybe try that?

Aw, poor baby. From what you describe, give him something that smells like his owner and shower him with lots of affection (if he'll take it, some dogs don't like it -- mine's not a snuggler!) and lots of stuff that smells like you.

If you can get in touch with the owner, have them call (or even videocall) you so the dog can hear the owner's voice

[ SECRET POST #3135 ]

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