[EdyFly]

I rescued/adopted a 3 year old male Dane 2 weeks ago.
When I first looked at him 2 weeks ago he was excitable and semmingly very happy.
Since I have him he seems very lethargic and sad. He won't play and can't stand being out of my sight. He follows me around all the time. Is he depressed?

[CorkyMax]

You have only had him for two weeks--Maybe he hasn't fully adjusted to his new home yet? I don't have enough info so just stabbing in the dark here! What is his background--Do you know? Did you get him from a rescue or a person? Was he with other dogs and maybe misses that? Maybe he is afraid he will be rehomed again and doesn't trust yet that you are his forever home ---may be the reason he is following you around too. Do you leave him home alone all day while you work? Is he bored and needs mental stimulation? Does he get enough exercise? I hope he isn't crated for hrs at a time. Does he have separation anxiety when you leave him to go someplace?
Another clue maybe is: Gentle, loyal, affectionate, playful and patient with children--Is he getting all this attention?
Here is a good link to info on this breed that may give you some clues: Great Dane Information and Pictures, Great Danes Read esp. the info on the temperament. Be sure to scroll all the way down as ads get in the middle and it looks like you are done --also note that there are 6 pages of pics (and some info with them) to click on at the bottom of the page.

Also going to read from my breeds book (under the heading--Exercise and Feeding): Great Danes need plenty of exercise, at the very least a LONG daily walk. They are prone to BLOAT so feed small helpings and avoid exercise after meals. Me talking here---Wish it would state here --how many small helpings a day? Would think that a Great Dane needed a lot more food for their size!! Most dogs don't get fed more than twice a day but how little would small helpings be if only 2 meals a day
Also states this: Ideally, the food dish should be raised so that the dog can eat without splaying the legs. Going to give you a link to important info about bloat that is in this forum: BLOAT in DOGS

And one more section from my breeds book--This is titled Health Problems: Being very large and heavy, Great Danes are prone to hip dysplasia and some genetic heart problems. It is good to know these things so you can bone up on them and try to prevent them from happening and what to look for, etc.

Hope things improve--Keep us updated!

[mih]

Maybe he is just a little scared...I hope you'll fix this problem

[EdyFly]

Thanks for all your insights.
I feel sure he is scared of being rehomed or something.
He was a rescue at 1 year from the El Paso Dane Rescue then I got him 2 weeks ago from a military couple being shipped overseas who couldn't take him. He was crated there for a couple of hours a day but not here.
I work from home so he is never alone. I bought a house with a large yard but haven't moved into it yet so we are kinda cramped in a 1 bedroom apartment with 4 indoor/outdoor rescued cats. The cats have taken him in very well and he seems to not be bothered by them at all. He does have severe separation anxiety from me for sure. The only time he barks is if I try to leave without him. He doesn't know how to do anything link sit or play or lay down. I just want him to be alright and run around a little when I let him of the leash but he won't. He just stays with me all the time.

I don't know what happened to him before the rescue in El Paso but it wouldn't surprise me if there was some abuse. He's very very jumpy and gets firghtened easily. Any kind of unexpected noise will startle him.

I just want him to be happy.

I know about the bloat. I feed him twice a day and make him lay down for an hour or 2 after - before I take him out or anything. He doesn't eat fast.

He won't chase a ball or tug on a rope or be playful at all. He just stands there next to me. Even now I'm in my office and he is at the door crying to get in.

He's a good boy. I'll try to post a pic now.

[CorkyMax]

I am so glad this dog--What do you call him?--found you or vice versa! You sound like a very good parent! I was so afraid you were going to say things like he is crated--no exercise, etc.

It does sound like he has issues from whatever life he had before. And I can see that he prob. is afraid of losing you too. It is certainly a big plus that you work out of your home and that when you move--that lucky dog will have a big yard to roam in. Not that he would want to run away from you but I wonder how high that breed can jump, like over fences?

Do you know anything about his life with the military couple? Were they the only owners he had since being brought to the rescue? How did he react with them? They may of been good 'parents' too and maybe he is missing them a little too. Or they could of been doing their own thing and not paid much attention to him--This breed requires a lot of loving attention--They may of taken good care of him but was it more on the duty side or did they interact with him much---as it sounds like he doesn't know how to play, etc.
If they had him for almost two years---You would think he would do more then just sit there---but maybe it could still be reaction to the abuse or whatever happened before he was brought to the rescue! Or even the notion that he has about being rehomed again even though he is in a good place now---may be afraid it won't last!

In any event, whatever his life was like before even coming to the rescue place---I bet he wasn't properly socialized. I would suggest putting--dog socializing--in your browser and you will get some ideas on how to work with this. Some dogs never come out of the 'traumas' they went through esp. if this gentle giant was abused previously. This doesn't always happen, but sometimes it takes a long time to help them out of this and a lot of loving patience.

Even though I hate crates---Sometimes a dog does like to use them as a safe haven--den kind of thing. I would never shut them in but leave the door open and the dog can go to it anytime he wants. I know you had said that the military couple only crated him for a few hours so I know he is familiar with them. And I know right now you have cramped quarters but maybe it would be worth a try to see how he would take (or not take) to one when you move to the new place. Just guessing here but if you have an 'office' in the new place and it is big enough---Maybe put an opened crate in there for him to be with you. It sounds like he would not be bothering you as you work.

Hopefully in a while, only having had him for so short a time yet--things will improve and he will begin to see this is a forever home. How long before you move?---On the down side to this if it is very soon--I hope he doesn't get uptight and think he is getting rehomed again even though you will be there!

There are things you can try to desensitize the problem with loud noises but I think I wouldn't go into that just yet as this poor guy has enough problems right now and also needs to bond with you 1st--my opinion anyhow!

Please keep us posted--Hoping to hear of some good things happening with the 'gentle giant'---What is his name? Give that baby a hug for me--Would love to see pics of him but you prob. can't get the pics to upload---Problem for a while in this forum on any pics being uploaded!

Good luck--hoping for good news!!

[CorkyMax]

Here is one link about socializing:Adult Dogs and Socialization - Socializing an Adult Dog
Be sure to keep reading as closer to the bottom there is info on what to try with a rescue dog/older dog. There are many more links to this problem--use your browser.

[reeskujo]

While it does sound like he may have been mistreated at some point in time it is not at all uncommon to see this behavior in a rescue dog..Especially one that has been rehomed more then once..You've only had him a very short time and it will take him awhile until he feels secure that he's not going anywhere..A very important thing to remember is that you do not want to feed the seperation anxiety..When he is exhibiting the signs of SA as hard as it is you do not want to give him any attention..When you give a dog attention when they're exhibiting a negative behavior that attention reinforces the behavior..

When you need to leave the house give him a treat so that he starts to associate you leaving with something positive..Also when you leave do not make a big deal about it..Give him a treat,pat him on the head and simply leave..The bigger of a deal you make it when you have to go somewhere the more it will make him think that he needs to be worried..

While some rescue dogs adjust to new homes pretty quickly others can take weeks or even months to adjust and feel secure..You sound like a great owner and he's a lucky boy so just give him time and he'll come around.

[EdyFly]

Thank you all for these great responses. I like the idea of giving him a treat when I leave.
I will do that and let you all know how it goes.
I wanted to post a picture of him for my avatar but i don't see where to do that yet!
I can't wait to get into my house so he can start feeling at home and marking his territory. I think that will make him feel better. WQhen I go to the house to check on things, he seems really responsive. LIke he knows he is going to live there! Maybe it's just me!!

Thanks again everyone and I look forward to any other advice or ideas you all may have!

I'll keep you posted!!