What is wrong with my dog?

[EndlessWire]

I have a poodle mix (looks like an oversize maltipoo) who lost his BFF companion last year. All he's got left is me. I am planning to get him his own dog again, but the time is not quite right.

Meanwhile, he has adopted one of my shoes. I probably should have taken the shoe away, but life is short, and it seems like a small inconvenience. I replaced the shoes with another pair.

I bought him new dog toys, which he ignores. Yet, he plays with the shoe he loves. But, this is what he does: After he eats his meal, he becomes very emotional. He starts to whine, and he gets his shoe, and he then carries the shoe to where he wants to lie down. He keeps that shoe in sight, but doesn't get upset if I pick it up. So, he's not really guarding it.

Is he trying to feed it?

This is not some life changing problem, but I love my dog and want him contented. We have good interaction, with cuddling and everything, but is this "problem" likely to disappear when he gets his own puppy, or will this become some squabbly issue for a new pup to deal with?

I have seen the video of a little dog bringing all his toys to eat with him. Also, the video where the cat brought a live mouse to eat out of his bowl with him. But, my dog just gets fussy after he eats. He just started this behavior a couple of months ago. I am planning on a Christmas puppy. Meanwhile, I can get him more toys, but I don't want to invest my life savings in dog toys.

My dog is wicked smart. We have an equity arrangement. I'll ask him to do something, and then he'll think it over, and if he wants to, he'll obey. I don't ask a lot of him, but I wanted to do dog agility with him. I thought that would benefit him. So far, it's too hot.

Should I just relax with it? The crying he does doesn't last that long, but it's upsetting.

[lapfog_1]

1. Linus has his blanket... "your" dog has his shoe.

[Phoenix61]

2. It sounds like a nap time comfort toy. I had a stuffed rabbit.

He has a shoe that reminds him of you. I’d take it as high praise.

[rubbersole]

7. That's what I think.

Comfort toy by Gucci. Dogs do better in pairs a lot of the time. Puppies or rescues.

[redstatebluegirl]

3. Dogs grieve loss just like we do but in different ways.

We lost our oldest dog in April. Our youngest is a two year old who followed the older dog Harry everywhere. He is clearly showing a change in behavior, grieving Harry I think. Give him time, if it persists talk to your vet.

[LakeArenal]

4. My first advice is never get a Christmas puppy.

We did not heed our vets advice and got a Christmas puppy. I felt horrible for what that puppy went through.

Everybody wanting to hold it (against its will and ours). Everyone wanting to feed him junk. My drunk SIL kept squeezing it til I cried.

Everyday there’s an activity so it’s really hard to get a schedule.

Puppies are babies. They need naps and quiet time.

Our puppy was in a constant excited state and was confused. Peed on a shoes because he was so wired. Got yelled at for peeing on shoe. Almost a repeat of this the next week for New Years.

Poor confused baby. Way too much input in one week.

Get a day after New Years puppy.

Hope you poor dog now cheers up.

[EndlessWire]

5. Good advice

but I am alone in this world, and there is little chance of the pup being overwhelmed. I plan to throw my attention on my current dog. Maybe he will overwhelm a puppy, but I think he'll be thrilled. We'll see. But, no squeezing the charmin.

[UTUSN]

6. Kick. "don't ask a lot" - me neither, have never made any of dogs do tricks for anything.

[Donkees]

8. It may be the shoe pheromones calming him and might even help him relax, sleep better ...

You mentioned that this behavior just started a couple of months ago - this might be related to the months of heat waves and strong storms, etc. Heat waves lower 'calming' chemistry, and your dog might benefit from a calming pheromone diffuser as well as sleeping near the shoe.

[applegrove]

9. When my cousins got a puppy they brought it over to our house for a visit.

That puppy plunked itself down between my dad's big leather shoes as if to remake littermates. You puppy probably is adopting a puppy mate in the shoe.

Maybe you can get dog calming hormones from the vet (if there is such a thing) until he gets a new puppy friend.

[Bayard]

10. Our other girl Pyr went to the vet, and didn't come home

The two boy Pyrs looked for her for a long time. It was pretty sad. When one of the boys died, the other one grieved and was depressed for months, even though I'm sure he knew it was coming. Who says dogs don't have feelings?

You may want to look into Rescue Remedy. It is an herbal calmative. You can find it online. Liquid, comes in a bottle with an eye dropper. I can vouch for it working.

[Rhiannon12866]

14. That is a wonderful idea! I've used that, too!

Also recommended by the vet.

[Irish_Dem]

11. The shoe smells like you and the doggie is self soothing with it.

A way to reduce his anxiety about his missing friend.

I would let him do it, he is a bright dog obviously who has found a way to cope with loss.

There is a good chance he will forget about it when the new doggie arrives.
But if he still needs reassuring, I would let him have it.

In psychology we call these self soothing objects "lovies." And they are perfectly fine
and good for children.

I have a little Maltese and when she gets anxious about something she goes to my closet and
smells the tops I wear for exercise or pulls out clothes from my laundry basket.

[Niagara]

12. Dearest EndlessWire,

I don't believe there's anything seriously wrong with your dog, he's only adjusting to new circumstances that quite frankly, is awful and devastating.



Please make sure that you both stick to same routine.


Please make sure that your dog is eating, drinking water, urinating and having normal bowel movements.


Please make sure that your dog is getting plenty of exercise and playtime. It sounds like he's getting plenty of cuddles.


Let him keep the shoe.


If things don't improve, you could try a pheromone diffuser, calming oil or calming music. If again things don't improve, please call your vet and let them know. It might help to keep a journal.


I know it's tempting to bring home another dog, but it's not a decision to make on the fly.


I'm sorry for your loss of your other dog.


I had a cat that had separation anxiety. He would find one of my shoe's on the floor and he would either...

1. Lay on top of that shoe and fall asleep
or
2. Stick his face right into the opening of the shoe and fall asleep.


It was his comfort zone. I rolled with it.


Best of luck to you and your dog.

[EndlessWire]

13. Thank you all!

I really appreciate having a spot where I can ask these questions without being laughed at. You all gave good insight and advice. Of course, I didn't tell you the part where he stares at one certain spot in the kitchen.

I'm just looking forward to having another puppy, which we will take good care of together. Times have been tough, but we'll get there.