Grieving dog developed separation anxiety - how to help?

[susan kaput]

My friend had two labradoodles (about 6 and 8 yrs old). The older one died several months ago and the remaining dog has been overcome with grief. That's gotten a little better, but she cannot be separated from her owner for even a minute without major distress. Does anyone have suggestions?

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

My parents dog went through the same thing and the only thing that helped was a new companion

[Mommy2Max]

I have no experience with this but, my first thought was getting her another companion.

Maybe playdates with other dogs would help?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree, another dog would probably help a lot. This poor girl has had another dog with her entire life. I hope your friends will get her a companion. If they don't want to start up with a puppy again, there are so many wonderful dogs in shelters and rescue groups who need a good home.

[Amy]

Our Golden Retriever, Phoebe, died in Feb. at age 13. Our Maggie (age 6) has been like a different dog since. She seems to have lost her "spark". We see glimpses of her old self sometimes... Our Goldendoodle puppy will be home in less than 2 weeks and we think it will give Maggie a boost. It will be quite a change for her though. She was the "young one" before.

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

My 11 year old German Shepherd (Jag) died in November when Lucy was 11 months old. Lucy grieved and grieved. Wouldn't eat, wouldn't play like she used to, would cry in her sleep (not exaggerating), started digging, jumped all over the house when she was in the yard which she'd never done before and everytime we came home from obedience or whereever she'd look all over the house and yard for Jag. It was so sad. I was so sad. I kept my sister's papillion for about six weeks and all the behaviors stopped (okay except for the digging). After the papillion left, we went through the same thing. Then, for Christmas, I brought home Rusty and all was well again (sigh, except for the digging). So, my advice?? Get a PUPPY!!!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

This happened to a golden and a Siberian that I had. It eases with time and a new companion puppy brought her back to life. The Siberian was already 14 when her 8 year old companion died of a brain stem tumor. She absolutely would not eat or get out of bed. My trainer suggested short walks every couple of hours. At first it took leading her with a spoon of peanut butter and salmon to get her to move. But in about three days, she began to look forward to her short walks again. We adopted our first doodle, Roo when she seemed a little less depressed. At first she pretended he was not there, but in a short time his antics perked her right up and gave her a new lease on life.