My dog is sad after vacation, misses dog friend. How to cheer him up?

This may be from the stress of a new routine since you had to leave him. For some dogs, it is not uncommon for them to get lethargic and even have a decreased appetite due to changes like this. If he is not back to normal with in 24 hours of your normal routine again, then I would have him checked by your vet

Try getting him out and going places with you if he likes rides. Make play dates with friends who have dogs so he can play and have the company of other dogs. If you are ready, consider adopting another pet so he has a playmate and companionship. Try gently encouraging him to play with you, teach him tricks or get him involved in a group activity like agility. I hope you can find him something to spark his interest and get him engaged again.

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.

Hopefully, it is due to the stress of your absence and not a drug toxicity. Monitor him for lethargy, ataxia (wobbly gait), drooling loss of appetite, dilated pupils or rapid heart rate/breathing. These can all be signs of drug ingestion. Try withholding food for 24 hours. Allow small amounts of water or unflavored electrolyte replacement fluid. Resume feeding a bland diet in small, frequent amounts until the stool is normal before slowly transitioning to his regular diet. A bland diet can be plain white rice mixed with either cottage cheese, boiled boneless/skinless chicken breasts, cooked/drained ground turkey or cooked/drained ground beef. Gradually acclimate him to your absence by leaving for ever increasing periods of time. Prepare to leave several times during the day. Leave sometimes, sometimes just put your stuff away and stay. Do not make a big deal about leaving or arriving. Ignore your dog for 15 minutes or until he calms down upon your return. Use special toys or treats only when you leave. Take them up when you get home. Pheromone products such as the DAP Diffuser or Adaptil collar may decrease his anxiety while you are gone.

I am so sorry to hear that you are experiencing these issues with Poppy. I am sure it's very upsetting for you. From what you are describing it seems that the most likely cause for the change in her behaviours is that she is still adjusting to your return after a long period of separation. This might be more likely if this was the longest time you have left her before. I would give her time to feel more secure and potentially try the following; Increase exercise Increased attention and interaction Interactive toys or chews for periods when you leave the house Positive reinforcement for interactions It will take time, patience and a dedication to the process for these techniques to help. It is also possible that she experienced a negative situation while you were away, and perhaps a call to the dog minder to ask if anything out of the ordinary occurred could be helpful. If the behaviours continue, consider a trip to the vet to make sure there aren't any underlaying medical causes. If not, consider a consult with a behaviour expert

Poor Grace! If she continues not to eat, I do recommend to have her seen by her veterinarian to be sure there is no illness causing the signs. Could it also be possible she is coming into heat? In general, when pets are ‘off’ and it’s related to being stressed or a change in routine, there are some things you can do to help. Get back in a routine quickly. Dogs are creatures of habit. Give her vigorous exercise every day. Burning off energy helps most dogs to become normal quickly. Set aside 15 minutes a day for training. This helps the brain to be stimulated and they enjoy the extra attention. Start here. If there is any concern for a health issue, she the veterinarian. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions!

Hello. I am sorry Rocky isn't feeling well. Just like children going to day-care, doggy day-care is full of new viruses and bacteria that your dog can be exposed to. It is possible that Rocky picked up a virus or bacteria at doggy day-care, or possibly ate food that was not part of his normal diet. If he is lethargic, vomiting, having diarrhea, not active, not eating, having trouble breathing, or continues to not act himself then we would recommend that you have him seen by a veterinarian as he could require medical intervention.