My dogs are sad but only for a few days

tuffystar · 01-19-2009, 10:40 PM

I wish I knew what to do for Tia. Kevin is gone for 4 days and tonight was his first night away. At 5pm on the dot she started getting on the couch and looking out the window for Kevin. She won't come upstairs. Buddy is laying on my feet, he usually sleeps in Kevin's room downstairs. Every 10 min or so Tia comes up and cry's and knocks my arm in the air. I went to the back door and tried to let her out, she backed up. I finally put her and Buddy out and they stood on their hind legs looking over the little gate to the driveway. They came in and it all started all over again. Tia won't even touch her toys or new bones. I don't know what to do but love them. Tia won't let me cuddle her or lay with her so I just have to hope she gets the hint by bedtime. He has been gone out of state before but she just doesn't get that when he packs his bags he will be gone for a few days. Buddy seems to know because he never stays all day up stairs. I wish I knew how to help her.

sdrudge · 01-19-2009, 11:14 PM

I think all you can do is show her love and keep telling her he will be back. I know some may say that is silly but I talk to my doodles alot. I hope Tia gets better with him being gone.

**lindamarie** · 01-19-2009, 11:18 PM

Ohhh.........that is so sad!!
I know how this sometimes happens here when my husband has gone to substitute teach or something for the whole day.
I just have to try and cheer him up!
Well.........good luck and give tons o' love.

Dextersmommy · 01-20-2009, 12:34 AM

My Kevin's gone for 30 to 40 days at a time, every other month. My dogs know when they see the bags come out, that he's going to leave and they get really clingy. Then for about a week after he goes, they mope and stare out the window and pretty much ignore me. The next few weeks they get into 'mommy's dog' mode and cling to me. Then I start to get them pumped that he's coming home, and they go back to staring out the window til he arrives, and are glued to him again. Start cycle over. Lather rinse repeat, LOL.

We live on the river and they know he works on a barge. So every time a barge goes by, they stop and stare and listen to see if daddy's on that boat. It's sweet. But it can be heartbreaking too. Just let them deal with it. They adjust.

lmtoth2 · 01-20-2009, 08:55 AM

That's so sad! My husband was away for 5 days for work and Dex/Kirby sat staring at the garage door every night. It does sound silly, but I would talk to them and tell them he was coming home soon.

Cinsmom · 01-20-2009, 09:19 AM

My hubby travels from time to time too. Cinnamon watches for him every night, but when she sees me eating supper by myself, she gets the hint and stops watching. Sometimes he fools her and comes home late, out with the boss from out of town or something. She gets so excited to see him!!

It's hard, but they soon learn what the suitcase is for. Cinnamon knows that when I pack, she's going too. It's kind of neat to know she associates my packing with her going. When hubby packs, she gets all mopey cause she knows she's not going. Doodles are smart cookies!

01-20-2009, 09:48 AM

That is so sad. I have no advice. I am the one that leaves the dogs all the time. I will call at night and my BF will put me on speaker phone and I talk to them and tell them good night. BF says that they respond. They try to lick the phone or cuddle it.

tuffystar · 01-20-2009, 11:21 AM

Thank you all for your support and suggestions. Tia was looking out the window until about 9 pm. After that she went to bed in my den/bedroom. Every time all night that I got up to do anything she jumped up and ran to the door Kevin always come in. Finally when I went to bed she and Buddy cuddled up so close I almost fell of the bed. Buddy slept all night on my bed and he never does that. I found him last night before bed sleeping on Kevin's bed. When I cuddled with him he then came upstairs and stayed there all night. When Kevin calls tonight I am going to put him on speaker. I have talked to them and today they both are laying at my feet. I am worried though because I have appointments this afternoon that will keep me away for 4 hours or so. I have never left them when Kevin is gone before so I don't know how they will be. Thanks again for your support and suggestions everyone.

seazr · 01-20-2009, 11:55 AM

Awwww . . . they are soooo sensitive!!!!! When Gene and I both leave and our son is with Dakota, Dakota just sulks . . .

doodledash · 01-20-2009, 05:39 PM

Oh bless.
I think lots of TLC,hugs,treats maybe some steak and bet there's a space in your bed.
See sorted......

tykesmom · 01-20-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmz819

That is so sad. I have no advice. I am the one that leaves the dogs all the time. I will call at night and my BF will put me on speaker phone and I talk to them and tell them good night. BF says that they respond. They try to lick the phone or cuddle it.

Heather, I used to do the same thing with my Eskimo dog, Frosty, when I was in college. Frosty would hear my voice and start HOWLING, but Mom said she seemed to calm down after hearing my voice.

Might sound silly to anyone but a doodle lover, but maybe if Tia could hear Kevin's voice.....????

tuffystar · 01-20-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tykesmom

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmz819

That is so sad. I have no advice. I am the one that leaves the dogs all the time. I will call at night and my BF will put me on speaker phone and I talk to them and tell them good night. BF says that they respond. They try to lick the phone or cuddle it.

Heather, I used to do the same thing with my Eskimo dog, Frosty, when I was in college. Frosty would hear my voice and start HOWLING, but Mom said she seemed to calm down after hearing my voice.

Might sound silly to anyone but a doodle lover, but maybe if Tia could hear Kevin's voice.....????

I am waiting for Kevin's call as we speak. Tia almost flattened me when I got home from half a day of appointments today! She is passed out beside me right now. She loves her Daddy! Buddy isn't so needy but he misses Kevin. He ate and is laying on Kevin's pillow right now. Thanks for the support and ideas! I will put Kevin on speaker when he calls. Thanks!

**MaxandMe** · 01-20-2009, 09:00 PM

ohhhhhhhh how sad .....but at same time i'd talk to TIA and give her extra hugs kisses and TLC

i don't know what it's like but DAVE here does......he says if i ever go out just to store or get home late from work
max/peanut stare out window waiting and then lie down by window. he's talks to them and gives them hugs

tuffystar · 01-20-2009, 09:40 PM

Update here! Kevin just called and I put him on speaker the whole time. First they barked and ran downstairs. Then Tia looked out my bedroom window and Buddy lay next to the phone on the bed. Then Tia relaxed and lay down and just listened. When we said good bye Tia ran down to the door Kevin usually comes in and then came back up to me. She keeps getting up and looking down the stairs now. Thanks for the ideas. I also talked to the dogs and I think it is easier tonight.

01-19-2009, 10:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
tuffystar Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 2,292	My dogs are sad but only for a few days I wish I knew what to do for Tia. Kevin is gone for 4 days and tonight was his first night away. At 5pm on the dot she started getting on the couch and looking out the window for Kevin. She won't come upstairs. Buddy is laying on my feet, he usually sleeps in Kevin's room downstairs. Every 10 min or so Tia comes up and cry's and knocks my arm in the air. I went to the back door and tried to let her out, she backed up. I finally put her and Buddy out and they stood on their hind legs looking over the little gate to the driveway. They came in and it all started all over again. Tia won't even touch her toys or new bones. I don't know what to do but love them. Tia won't let me cuddle her or lay with her so I just have to hope she gets the hint by bedtime. He has been gone out of state before but she just doesn't get that when he packs his bags he will be gone for a few days. Buddy seems to know because he never stays all day up stairs. I wish I knew how to help her.

01-19-2009, 11:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
sdrudge Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 2,196	Re: My dogs are sad but only for a few days I think all you can do is show her love and keep telling her he will be back. I know some may say that is silly but I talk to my doodles alot. I hope Tia gets better with him being gone. __________________ Samantha, Cacao and Beau (AKA:Romeo and Juliet)

01-19-2009, 11:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
lindamarie Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Birmingham, Michigan Posts: 6,171	Re: My dogs are sad but only for a few days Ohhh.........that is so sad!! I know how this sometimes happens here when my husband has gone to substitute teach or something for the whole day. I just have to try and cheer him up! Well.........good luck and give tons o' love. __________________ Linda & Bogart Dogs=Unconditional love "We have it all! Just like Bogie & Bacall!"

01-20-2009, 12:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dextersmommy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 980	Re: My dogs are sad but only for a few days My Kevin's gone for 30 to 40 days at a time, every other month. My dogs know when they see the bags come out, that he's going to leave and they get really clingy. Then for about a week after he goes, they mope and stare out the window and pretty much ignore me. The next few weeks they get into 'mommy's dog' mode and cling to me. Then I start to get them pumped that he's coming home, and they go back to staring out the window til he arrives, and are glued to him again. Start cycle over. Lather rinse repeat, LOL. We live on the river and they know he works on a barge. So every time a barge goes by, they stop and stare and listen to see if daddy's on that boat. It's sweet. But it can be heartbreaking too. Just let them deal with it. They adjust. __________________ http://www.RitaDoe.etsy.com http://www.cabinfeversoapworks.net63.net A doodle a day keeps the boredom away.....

01-20-2009, 08:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
lmtoth2 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,920	Re: My dogs are sad but only for a few days That's so sad! My husband was away for 5 days for work and Dex/Kirby sat staring at the garage door every night. It does sound silly, but I would talk to them and tell them he was coming home soon. __________________ Leslie

01-20-2009, 09:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
Cinsmom Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: KC area Posts: 2,499	Re: My dogs are sad but only for a few days My hubby travels from time to time too. Cinnamon watches for him every night, but when she sees me eating supper by myself, she gets the hint and stops watching. Sometimes he fools her and comes home late, out with the boss from out of town or something. She gets so excited to see him!! It's hard, but they soon learn what the suitcase is for. Cinnamon knows that when I pack, she's going too. It's kind of neat to know she associates my packing with her going. When hubby packs, she gets all mopey cause she knows she's not going. Doodles are smart cookies! __________________ Becky & Cinnamon http://safeharborprisondogs.com

01-20-2009, 09:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Re: My dogs are sad but only for a few days That is so sad. I have no advice. I am the one that leaves the dogs all the time. I will call at night and my BF will put me on speaker phone and I talk to them and tell them good night. BF says that they respond. They try to lick the phone or cuddle it.

01-20-2009, 11:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
tuffystar Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 2,292	Re: My dogs are sad but only for a few days Thank you all for your support and suggestions. Tia was looking out the window until about 9 pm. After that she went to bed in my den/bedroom. Every time all night that I got up to do anything she jumped up and ran to the door Kevin always come in. Finally when I went to bed she and Buddy cuddled up so close I almost fell of the bed. Buddy slept all night on my bed and he never does that. I found him last night before bed sleeping on Kevin's bed. When I cuddled with him he then came upstairs and stayed there all night. When Kevin calls tonight I am going to put him on speaker. I have talked to them and today they both are laying at my feet. I am worried though because I have appointments this afternoon that will keep me away for 4 hours or so. I have never left them when Kevin is gone before so I don't know how they will be. Thanks again for your support and suggestions everyone.

01-20-2009, 11:55 AM	#9 (permalink)
seazr Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento Posts: 2,971	Re: My dogs are sad but only for a few days Awwww . . . they are soooo sensitive!!!!! When Gene and I both leave and our son is with Dakota, Dakota just sulks . . . __________________ Diane (and Dakota) http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e304/seazr/

01-20-2009, 05:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
doodledash Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 513	Re: My dogs are sad but only for a few days Oh bless. I think lots of TLC,hugs,treats maybe some steak and bet there's a space in your bed. See sorted......

01-20-2009, 09:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
MaxandMe Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 15,103	Re: My dogs are sad but only for a few days ohhhhhhhh how sad .....but at same time i'd talk to TIA and give her extra hugs kisses and TLC i don't know what it's like but DAVE here does......he says if i ever go out just to store or get home late from work max/peanut stare out window waiting and then lie down by window. he's talks to them and gives them hugs __________________ *Annmarie, Max,& Peanut* "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France uncondtional love: what a dog always does for us and humans strive to do but can we?

01-20-2009, 09:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
tuffystar Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 2,292	Re: My dogs are sad but only for a few days Update here! Kevin just called and I put him on speaker the whole time. First they barked and ran downstairs. Then Tia looked out my bedroom window and Buddy lay next to the phone on the bed. Then Tia relaxed and lay down and just listened. When we said good bye Tia ran down to the door Kevin usually comes in and then came back up to me. She keeps getting up and looking down the stairs now. Thanks for the ideas. I also talked to the dogs and I think it is easier tonight.

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