Televets

• Home
• »
• Pet Questions
• »
• View Question

Is it Depression or Anger

My dog Zee is 5yrs old. He and my son were inseperable, until recently. My son has been some what busy getting ready for his high school senior year. Begining March of 2009 my son has been going on College Jr. days for football and currently he is hardly home due to football recruiting camps he been attending. My mother has noticed that Zee no longer acknowledge my son,like he use to . Zee dosen't want him to take him for walks, chase after the freesbie, or even sleep at the foot of his bed anymore. My mother seem to think that Zee is depressed and angry because my son hasn't been spending much time with him. I am finding that hard to believe.
Now what Zee, wants me to take him for walks, run and play with him, he sleeps in my room next to the bed, and he follows me around constantly, I am always tripping over him.
Zee's appetite is still the same, he will play with our other dog Zoe(11yrs)(but if Zoe is playing with me he gets very aggressive with her). So I really don't know what is going on but I surely could use some advice. Please help

•   Kelly Modzelewski says:

  July 08th, 2009 at 12:15 PM

  It's so easy to anthropormize dogs, give them human characteristics. They can seem so much like us because of the close bond we share. While it's clear that dogs DO experience emotions, their experience is different than ours. If a dog gets angry, it is just at that moment, such as when you pull them away from their toy. They do not hold onto emotions like humans - for instance, they can't plot revenge. They do, however, experience grief for a longer period, as when one of their canine friends dies. At this point, I doubt Zee is angry or depressed - he is simply re-bonding with the human who is around more. It's important for your son to spend time bonding with him when he can - perhaps he can feed him or you and he can take Zee for a walk everyday. Otherwise. Zee will probably continue to see you as his "owner" and you may end up with a dog of your own. :)

  Attached image (click to zoom):

  Current Rating:

  Rate This Answer:

  
  Pet Writer

  Soon to be launched, this site will host a collection of my articles and tips and dog behavior skills.