Hi, Just looking for some advice/ help. We adopted a 5 year old Labrador over the weekend who was soon to be found homeless if we didnt step in (we werent looking for another dog but knew we had to help). People we got him from were not bothered about his well being at all. Problem is he is very underweight. When giving him food he will not eat - but will eat toast given by hand (know this isnt good for him but I felt something going in is better than nothing and his in a new environment which must be scary). He was being fed on Heroes dog food - which is a supermarket brand. I immediately switch this and gave him Skinners which isnt the best but certainly I feel better. We know nothing about his past. He adores his walks and has taken very well to our existing two year old Lab (does keep trying to hump him but we discourage this). He also has major seperation anxiety which I would also like any tips for? Thank you.
Good on you for giving a home to a doggie in need. It will take some weeks for him to start to settle in. What you're seeing now isn't what he'll be in the future. He'll grow in confidence. With the food, I agree that toast is better than absolutely nothing as a stop-gap. Try putting some warm water on the kibble, or mixing it with sardines or some raw mince (beef or chicken). For the separation anxiety I'd probably seek the help of a qualified and experienced behaviourist who has worked a lot with anxious dogs. Separation anxiety needs a programme of training that's tailored to the dog. What is his name?
Thanks for the advice - have tried adding water to it which aided him to take a very small portion. His name is Hooch and here is a pic- Hope it works.
Hello Mark and welcome to you and Hooch, he's lovely, and lucky to have found you. Just give him very small portions, often during the day. Make sure he is drinking, and take him to the vet for a check up. I agree with Rachael, this is not his real character you are seeing, it will take time for him to settle down. I'd try him a small portion of something really tasty, as Rachael has said - a bit of raw mince, or tinned sardines. Best of luck!
Welcome Mark and gorgeous Hooch from Hattie 8 years and our rescue boy Charlie 5 years. What a kind man you are to take this lovely boy in his hour of need. Totally agree, it took Charlie a while to settle in to our family and routines. Hooch will grow in confidence with gentle training, patience and love. I put tinned sardines with olive oil in our dogs food 3 times a week and they love it and it's so good for them, you could give it a go as they are only 40p a tin. I wish you lots of luck with your new friend x
Ah he looks lovely. Wonderful that you've taken him in. I hope you both have lots of lovely adventures together
Thanks for all the replies. Will try sardines and hope he enjoys them. Hopefully he will have the usual Labrador appetite very soon!
He is gorgeous! Well done on giving him a home We also adopted a 5 year old black lab a couple of years ago this September. Casper initially had real separation anxiety. We couldn't move to a different room without him being distressed. I remember needing to do stuff outside so hubby sat on a patio chair with the front room door open, and gradually easing the chair further away. Casper was in the front room. We crate trained him initially, showing him that the large crate was his special place with all his toys and scrummy treats, kongs filled with tuna/cheese/sardines. We were lucky not to have any health problems, and he loved his food! We did have another foster who was 8kgs underweight, we cooked up lamb mince for him and he loved that! Plus we switched to Peak performance (Millies Wolfheart) which contains high fat and protein levels. Keep with it, it does take time but so rewarding! Nearly 2 years on and Casper is my rock. I can leave him for up to 4 hours and he is perfectly content.
Hi and welcome to you and Hooch. How wonderful to have adopted a dog in need. For separation distress, as it is more commonly referred to now, I would also recommend that you seek the advice of a good behaviourist who can work with you to produce a plan to help Hooch cope and overcome his distress. It could be that he is showing the distress because of all the changes go his life and environment. You could also try some owls of lavender in rooms or Adaptil which may help him with the stress and help him to calm. Good luck with your new boy
Just an update on Hooch. He has started to settle in really well. Mashing in sardines with his kibble has worked wonders - Thank You! Here is a picture of both our Labs together:
How lovely! Well done you guys for taking in Hooch in his hour of need. So pleased to hear that he is settling and eating now, and good luck with the separation anxiety. I remember an adopted lab cross many years ago who was only 8 months old and suffered terribly from being separated. She'd poo on the floor if I went out shopping for an hour, and would follow me even into the loo. Once her confidence grew and she knew she was loved and well looked after, it eased considerably, and then, 8 months later when we adopted another 8 month old pup (even more mixed breed!) she was fine. However, you have your own lovely lab, so let's hope all will be really good very soon.
What a lovely photograph and thank you for adopting Hooch, I am sure he is going to have a wonderful life now.
