As you all know, I put my dog Sasha down on Friday. The problem now is with Kiss, my younger guy. He has never been an only dog and I think he's having trouble with it.

When I leave the house to go to work, I put him in his "safety area"; an open X-pen attached to a long hallway with a baby gate at the end. I used to leave him a stuffed Kong and 1 or 2 chew toys and he was fine with that because he knew Sasha was upstairs.

Now as I go out the door, I can hear him starting to whimper. I wanted to see how long he kept up the crying so I called the house phone with my cell phone and drove down the street. The crying got quite loud and lasted almost 15 minutes.

When I get home from work I put him outside like I used to while I get his food ready and scrub out the water buckets, only before it was Kiss and Sasha and now it's just Kiss. He just sits at the back door crying instead of going to do his business.

When I am home, he has gotten very clingy. I can't move without him following me everywhere and I've actually tripped on him twice when I've turned around quickly and he was right there.

Any suggestions for how I can help him be more comfortable being an only dog or is this just a matter of time for him to work through this?

I just went through the same thing.

My older GSD Thunder (12 1/2) had to be put down over a month ago ago and GSD Trooper(9 1/2) howled for most of the time till just this past week.

They were outside dogs and together 24/7/365 so Trooper, as your kiss, never knew being alone.

I didn't "feel sorry" for Trooper since I felt that would just re enforce his mourning.

I did spend extra time with him since I didn't have to divide my time anymore but it was all about having fun and playing fetch, going through his OB exercises.

Trooper is now back to patrolling outside my flower beds for bumblebees and being his goofy self.

They grieve in their own way. And it's a huge pack dynamic shift that throws them for a loop.

My Kenzi took a month to adjust even though I got a puppy the next week.

I'll echo what Bob said - try to give him something to do to take his mind off. A hike, training, playtime with you. Doing stuff with him may be especially helpful because he's not used to do things alone. He'll likely adapt fine over time, he just needs help now.

I have never had to go through this, but the day will come somewhen and I'm sure without Bob's warning about re-inforcing the mourning I'd fall in the trap of showing to the lonely dog my pity way too much!

I can imagine how difficult this situation is for you, Debbie. So great to have people like Bob and Mara who know from their own experience how it is and can support you. Keep your mind up!

I think you can acknowledge the grief and confusion without getting stuck in perpetuating it. So basically extra attention but something besides sitting in the corner going "you poor thing"

Think of what makes you feel better when you're in a funk. Something to get your mind off whatever, a change in the normal routine, a long walk.

Very well said, Mara!

Great thoughts guys. I've been trying to spend little bits of extra time with him throughout the day and it seems to be helping. He only cried for about 3-4 minutes when I left today.

I'm not really focusing on OB right now. We're just messing around with fun things like fetch and learning how to do a figure 8 between my legs. I get super excited when he gets things right and he seems to be having a blast.

We will be starting an Outdoor Socialization class on Sunday and I'm sure that will help as well.

If sad feelings start coming up for me, I put him away in his "safety area" and go to another room to deal with my feelings. He is very sensitive and if I am watching a sad movie and start crying, he gets upset and wants to drop his big ole head in my lap.

I think Mara said it much better then I could.

I honestly believe dogs/animals get over "emotional" feelings way quicker then humans simply because nature and survival doesn't allow for distractions that can results in bad things happening.

"WE" supply the means to keep their attention focused on living.

You both are saying it very well, Bob and Mara. The same thing, but each one in his/her way. It is obvious that you have already gone through this. I'm glad to have read it and made my thoughts about it.

I wish everyone who has dogs should read it, as we all will be confronted with it sooner or later. Then it will help a lot to be prepared and know how to react or not react.
A great and so important topic!

Thanks to you both. And to Debbie too, she is coping with those sad moments very exemplary and giving us a good example.

I've been out for vacation, so I'm late hearing your news -- My deepest condolences on your loss, Debbie, so hard on our hearts ... One thing that comes to mind is this: because Sasha "left & never returned", I wonder if Kiss worries that you may do the same thing (???)

Maybe set up as many short-term comings & goings as possible each day -- Stay away just long enough for the crying to end & then return without a fuss ... Help Kiss trust that you will ALWAYS come home again (just a thought).