Why is my dog less affectionate with husband after hospital stay?

Sometimes dogs don't like the change in smell when another dog comes back from the vet. You may want to wipe down the older dog with a damp cloth and brush her to get the vet smell off her. It also can be that he now sees she is weak and he wants to take over being the top dog. This can be dangerous as he could fight with her and hurt her so you are right to keep them separate when you are not there to monitor their behavior. If your younger dog is well trained I would make it clear to him that this is inappropriate behavior by your voice and placing him in a crate or outside when he exhibits this behavior. Hopefully in a few days things will settle back into the normal routine. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm so sorry to hear that this happened to Cookie - I hope she is recovering well in the ICU! This is very normal for dogs to show little reaction when their owners visit, especially if they are on numerous medications, including pain medications. These medications can make them very drowsy and "out of it", so they aren't acting their normal selves. There is always a component of confusion too - because they do not realize that being caged in a strange new place away from home (i.e., an ICU) is for their benefit so they can heal and come home. I think Cookie just needs a little more time to heal and wean off some of her medications, and she should get back to her usual loving self! I hope this is helpful.

Im so glad you found your dog! She may need some time to reacclimate to him. Consider having him examined by your veterinarian since he was gone so long. Afterwards a good bath and a gradual re-introduction would be recommended. A pheromone product, such as the Adaptil collar or DAP plug in diffuser, may decrease any anxiety or aggression associated with his return.

That is quite strange. I would try to spend some time with him away from your husband to see if this helps. It is strange that he doesn't normally do this. If it continues , I would take him to the vet to ensure he isn't trying to tell y'all that something is wrong like pain somewhere. If you have to, you could try to give him some calming chews like composure or composure pro (prescription version) or a calming collar like adaptil. I hope this helps and he starts to act more normal really soon.

It sounds like Hayley is missing your husband. If she is hiding a lot, and also is not eating and drinking much at all, it would be best to have her evaluated by your vet to make sure there's no medical explanation for her change in behavior that needs to be addressed. If her physical exam and any tests (blood tests, etc) that your vet recommends are all normal, then we would say that, yes--this is a behavioral problem. If that is the case, it may help to consult with a behaviorist and trainer; however here's a few things you can try at home. -if she's more bonded to him than you, work on forging that bond with you more. Keep treats that she likes in your pocket. Take her for walks. Give her one on one attention away from the other dogs. This might help. -Do all the dogs get along? If so, try to help engage play between to the dogs to help keep her engaged. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

That's a difficult situation! It could be the two changes in environment is a little stressful for him, and he may need a few more days to settle back into his normal routine. Dogs can get stressed when they leave home for a bit, stay in a new place, and then are returned to their normal home. I would give him a few more days to see if he returns to normal, and if he doesn't, I would take him into the vet for an exam. Sometimes, a medical illness such as an infection or injury can cause a dog to act differently from normal, and it would be good to rule that out if he's not back to himself in another couple of days.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your puppy. I suspect that puppy smells differently especially after receiving treatment for the injuries. The topical cream may have a strong scent to the other dogs as well. It may take some time for them to adjust to this puppy again. If he is very young, try to encourage him to nurse and you can try placing him with the mom separate from the other pups to ensure he is allowed to nurse. If he is eating solid food, you may need to feed him separately to ensure he receives enough. I hope this information helps!