Labrador Retriever ?

[DVC Sadie]

I have a few questions and would love for someone to help me find a few links so I can do some research.

We have two labs that we inherited from my parents when the passed away. I have a feeling that my mothers yellow lab is depressed (please don't laugh). She use to go swimming on a daily basis when my mother was alive and we continued until we lost our house to Katrina. With all the debris still in our bay behind our house I won't let her swim for fear of getting hurt, plus I am afraid of possible water polution. She has allergies.

My dh thinks she is just getting old and for me not to worry so much. She will be 14 years in October.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated and if you bothered reading, thanks.

 

[kristen821]

I believe that dogs get depressed. I can always tell when my dogs aren't happy. 14 is pretty old for a lab so that can be part of it. Do you have anywhere you can take her to run maybe play fetch or something?

Good luck!

 

[kayeandjim00]

We have a lab and it seems you can always tell their mood - happy, sad, excited, etc. 14 is pretty old for a lab - she could be just slowing down. However it does seem that you have had a lot of changes in the past several months so the dog could just be reacting to the uncertain energy around her. It sounds like you have all been through a lot and the dog may be reacting to that. I would try getting in a good walk with her every day to try and alleviate any anxiety - that might help. Good luck!

 

[hiwaygal]

Yes, dogs can get depressed...especially when they lose someone or another pet they have bonded with. They can experience grief...

Check out this link: http://dogs.about.com/cs/disableddogs/a/depression.htm

There is a possibility that age is catching up with her...but there is the possibility that all the changes have affected her more.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Oh, thank you all for responding! I am very concerned and hope to have our fur babies around for a little longer (a lot longer). Thank you for the link and I am going there right now.

Sincerely, Sadie

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I just finished Cesar Milan's book and he addresses this in his new book.

Basically he says that dogs do mourn loss, however they get over it quickly. Generally the dog is reflecting the people's energy in the house, along with the changes that are made to the dog's life.
If you are mourning the dog will mourn with you. If you are happy and full of energy the dog will reflect that instead.

A daily walk with help move the dog forward and release the energy that is built up in him.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I just finished Cesar Milan's book and he addresses this in his new book.

Basically he says that dogs do mourn loss, however they get over it quickly. Generally the dog is reflecting the people's energy in the house, along with the changes that are made to the dog's life.
If you are mourning the dog will mourn with you. If you are happy and full of energy the dog will reflect that instead.

A daily walk with help move the dog forward and release the energy that is built up in him.

I have tried to walk Shay (yellow lab) but she acts as if I am forcing her on the Bataan Death March. Our other lab Bridgette loves to walk and play so thats why I was concerned in regards to Shay.

As another poster implied, Shay may just be getting old and slowing down. I plan on bringing her to the vet next week to make sure that it isn't anything physical.



Edited for spelling errors.