Will a dog behave differently if another dog in the same house dies?

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 19:00:02 -0500

I lost a dog and wondering what kind of behavior to expect from the other dog. I can assume, but I don't know.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 12 at 2016 7:15 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 19:15:07 -0500

Yes
That is Sprocket, waiting at the front door. Waiting at the door I took her sister Stormy out of after she was bit by a rattle snake. Stormy did not come home. Sprocket stayed at the front door for days. Refusing to leave and eat, later she would leave for a time, but slept there, later she would wander by it constantly, later after her new sister Nala came home she seemed to forget the door.. but I bet, if stormy was to come back though it, she would know in a second who she was.

The Story of Miss Storm http://www.thedogpound.org/forum/showthread.php?t=605

The story of Miss Storm - The Dog Pound

The story of Miss Storm Best Friends Remembered

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jan 13 at 2016 8:51 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 08:51:55 -0500

I have witnessed it first hand. Dogs have emotions and ties just like humans. When I was growing up we had two dogs on my grandmothers farm. One of them wandered off and we never found them. We thought the other dog was going to grieve themselves to death. It wouldn't eat and barely left the yard for any reason. It eventually went ahead and started going back out and running the yard...just took time. Just watch the other dog and give it extra attention for a little while and it will move on just like humans do. People that don't have dogs don't understand the bond. All they want is your love and attention. They don't care about your day just that you love on them.

Here is a quote I found years ago about dog owners. "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take apiece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and as loving as they are." We can all hope we can be as generous, loving, and forgiving as our pets.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jan 13 at 2016 10:58 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 22:58:39 -0500

Your dog will absolutely know that something is not right, especially if they loved each other.