first time poster, i am in desperate need of help!

toxictears · 10-30-2010

Hey all I am new and my first post. I need help!!

My dog is acting very strange! For the past few days he is almost acting depressed? Looks very sad and pitiful, walking slow, his head is always down, ears back, no interest in playing, toys, activities, treats, NOTHING.

This has been going on a for a few days. My mother recently became a nanny of a 4 month old baby, so I had a thought that he was acting weird because of that, but my mom told me today that he was absolutely normal while I was at work. I got home, and he started to come to me, like he always does, but after a few steps, he turned around and hid behind the dining room table!! ??? Doesnt make any sense! I treat my dog with so much love and compassion I have never laid a hand on him for spanking or anything, so i dont know why this behaviour, and only to me?!

I am so worried but I simply cannot afford to take him the vet, and I honestly dont know what to. I sat and watched him lay and I cried.. This is beyond frustrating and heartbreaking and i need advice..

Please help.

cigwyllt · 10-30-2010

Is the baby at home when you are? It could be simply that he is jealous because in his eyes you have been giving the baby too much attention. If he appears well when you are not around and if he is eating/drinking/going to the toilet normally just give him lots of love and affection. If he isn't interested in his toys why not try something new - a squeaky toy gets a reaction from most dogs. It might not last long - you don't say what sort of dog he is - but it would give you a chance to see your dog is still there.

Lunareclipse · 10-30-2010

I agree with cyg's post. If your dog learns things fairly quickly, maybe you can get him involved in taking care of the baby. Teach him to fetch a daiper or the wipes. It would give you some one on one time with your dog for a while while he is learning how to do it. And after he learns, he can spend time with you and the baby too.

toxictears · 10-30-2010

Ya I figured patience would be key and with time he will get over it. He is a toy fox terrier, and I am never home when the baby is. I work all day, and he normally stays home with my mom and shes the one who watches the baby. Thats what confuses me, I figured he would act like this towards my mom bc he is the one giving the baby the attention, not me. He wont even lick me! (which is NOT LIKE HIM) he barely looks at me, wont accept snacks i give at all. Its almost like my aliens zapped my dog away and replaced him with this one. Total opposite.

CorkyMax · 10-30-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by toxictears

Ya I figured patience would be key and with time he will get over it. He is a toy fox terrier, and I am never home when the baby is. I work all day, and he normally stays home with my mom and shes the one who watches the baby. Thats what confuses me, I figured he would act like this towards my mom bc he is the one giving the baby the attention, not me. He wont even lick me! (which is NOT LIKE HIM) he barely looks at me, wont accept snacks i give at all. Its almost like my aliens zapped my dog away and replaced him with this one. Total opposite.

Maybe there is a clue here: 'I am never home when the baby is'-----I know you are prob. not able to be there then because of work or school, but I'd be curious as to how he would react if you came home unexpectedly some day while the baby was still there! Does your dog like this baby? How long is the time between when the baby leaves and you come home? Maybe also, he doesn't want the baby to leave and somehow associates that the baby has to leave before you get home--esp. if the time is pretty close. Different thoughts here I know but you never know---This is a big mystery!

Lunareclipse · 10-30-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

Maybe there is a clue here: 'I am never home when the baby is'-----I know you are prob. not able to be there then because of work or school, but I'd be curious as to how he would react if you came home unexpectedly some day while the baby was still there! Does your dog like this baby? How long is the time between when the baby leaves and you come home? Maybe also, he doesn't want the baby to leave and somehow associates that the baby has to leave before you get home--esp. if the time is pretty close. Different thoughts here I know but you never know---This is a big mystery!

You could have a baby!

toxictears · 10-30-2010

Ya the time is very close. The baby gets here, I have time to see him for maybe 10 minutes then I leave. And they pick up the baby about 10 mins before I get home. Its almost the same exact time.

UPDATE: He threw up earlier and threw up I dunno what. He seems so much better after. I even took him to the pet store to get him out of the house and socialize and he was loving it!! I got home and he was acting good. He is now passed out so I dunno he must have swallowed something. He seems a little weak but nothing like yesterday. I think all will be good! Yay this forum is awesome thanks so much for all your help! I am gonna stick around here for sure and let you all know how he is doing!!

CorkyMax · 10-31-2010

Good to hear that your dog is feeling better--Hope he is going to be okay---Don't like that he still feels a little weak. Guess you will keep a good eye on him---Hope he doesn't have pancreatitis or any similar problem. Hope he is pooing okay--maybe need to check that out to see if the poo looks normal. And make sure he is drinking enough water and doesn't get dehydrated. (This can be deadly) I had this happen to my Max when he was younger. If you think it was something he may of eaten---Here is a link to a thread I did a while back that you might like to read---I am sure you will find more than one thing there that you had no idea of:Foods that are hazardous to a dog

Yes, please keep us informed on how he is doing! What is your dog's name and how old is he? What breed(s)?