rascalsmom Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 First a bit of background. Rascal has been with us for just over 10 years now. After we'd had her a little over a year, her litter-sister, Ruby, came home. We had to have Ruby put down on August 23rd. Rascal is 12 years old. She has a large tumor (hemangiopericytoma) on her left front upper leg. Right after we lost Ruby, Rascal started acting differently. Mostly in the evening, and mostly with my husband. We would relax in the downstairs family room each night. While Ruby was with us, after her accident, we did not let her do stairs, so DH would walk her outside, around to the basement door. I would go down the steps with Rascal, inside, and tell her, "You have to wait for your sister, then you will get your treat." She'd look at the door, waiting for Ruby to come in, then they'd get their treats. [Might add here that Jack, being the 'peculiar' dog that he is, will NOT come to the basement, just in case you wonder why I don't mention him. ] Since Ruby died, we'll go to the basement as usual. Then Rascal will start barking at my husband. She has NEVER done this before, in the 10 years we've had her. He'll try petting her, and she jerks away. She will paw at him, at the couch, even playfully 'bite' at him. So then he gets up, tries to engage her in play, either with a stuffy or just with him. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. At first, she would bark at him, then look at the door. As if saying, "Daddy, go get Ruby!" It was very sad to see this. She doesn't seem to be looking at the door anymore, but the barking/restlessness continues. Last night she kept looking at the table where the treats are. My husband ended up giving her 15 Milk Bones . She was still restless, but of course eventually settled down. What is going on with her?? This is such odd behavior for her. Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 It sounds like she's mourning Ruby and is totally confused as to why she's not there. Andy did strange things after Emmy died. He would stand at the back door, I'd open it, it would look outside but not go outside and I'd close it again. I think he was trying to find Emmy and figured she was in the back yard. I think when we have litter mates as close as ours were, it's harder on them to lose one. They seem connected at the hip so to speak and can't figure out where the other half has gone. As to how to help her, I haven't a clue. Nothing helped Andy. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Wasserbuffel Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 That's very sad. I would try re-patterning the evening routine. Right now the family is still following a pattern that - to her - should still include Ruby. Perhaps you could take her for a walk before everyone settles in and come into the room through the basement door instead of by the stairs. It might be enough to break her pattern of expecing Ruby to come in after she's gone down the stairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bethac Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 That's very sad. I would try re-patterning the evening routine. Right now the family is still following a pattern that - to her - should still include Ruby. Perhaps you could take her for a walk before everyone settles in and come into the room through the basement door instead of by the stairs. It might be enough to break her pattern of expecing Ruby to come in after she's gone down the stairs. Yes - I was going to suggest this too. Do with Rascal what you used to do with Ruby. Perhaps Ruby's spirit will come through the basement door along with Rascal ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 A little update. Last night, my DH was not home when I went downstairs. Rascal went with me, I gave her a treat, and she settled onto her bed. Never a peep out of her. About 1/2 hour later, DH got home, and as soon as he came downstairs she started barking at him, pawing at him, etc. This is definitely related to him somehow. I told her to get in her bed, to lay down, etc...and after telling her those things about six times, she did. Then DH says, give her a treat...and I said no, I just treated her with PRAISE. She never did listen to him. Anyway, I think I'm going to try the short walk/coming through the basement door instead of down the stairs tonight. We'll see if that helps. I really agree with Judy that she is just confused, since Ruby isn't here. And her focusing on DH makes sense, since he was the one who usually brought Ruby around the house and in the basement door. During the day, Rascal is the same as always. Relaxed, sleeping, etc. No barking AT ALL. Just in the evening. And just at DH. Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 With the last update, it really does sound like Rascal is expecting your DH to bring Ruby back in and when he doesn't, she's sort of "demanding" it (I don't mean that in a bad way, she's just saying in the way she knows how, "Hey dad, go get Ruby, what's up, you know this is when you bring her back inside"). Can you try giving her a rawhide or a stuffed kong or some other food item that would distract her for a longer period of time around the time that the barking happens? I am guessing that this is something that will pass with time and the realization that Ruby isn't coming back, but that might help distract her until that happens. Boy it just breaks my heart to hear about stuff like this. Zuri seemed mostly unphased when Neyla passed. A little off maybe, but nothing so obvious. I did let Neyla go at home and gave Zuri a chance to sniff her after she was gone, I have no idea if that helped him at least understand why she was gone. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mcsheltie Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 The nights your DH is home, have him bring Rascal downstairs thru the outside door, like he used to do Ruby. A short walk beforehand would be even better. I would ignore any of the new behaviors. I know it is hard to ignore her barking and pawing, but with a new routine, it will disappear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeForHounds Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 The nights your DH is home, have him bring Rascal downstairs thru the outside door, like he used to do Ruby. A short walk beforehand would be even better. I would ignore any of the new behaviors. I know it is hard to ignore her barking and pawing, but with a new routine, it will disappear. I was just going to suggest this. There are times in a dog's life (and our own) when repatterning is necessary. Since your husband seems to be the trigger for her unusual behaviour, he needs to be involved in changing it. Judy had an excellent point about littermates and their close connection. I expect that Rascal is grieving, but hoping Daddy can fix things. On a positive note, I'm so happy to hear that Rascal is still doing well. I always tell people when talking about cancer "if my dog has to get cancer I want it to be hemangiopericytoma". Quote Casual Bling & Hope for HoundsJanet & the hounds Maggie and Allen Missing my baby girl Peanut, old soul Jake, quirky Jet, Mama Grandy and my old Diva Miz Foxy; my angel, my inspiration. You all brought so much into my light, and taught me so much about the power of love, you are with me always.If you get the chance to sit it out or dance.......... I hope you dance! Missing our littlest girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 (edited) The nights your DH is home, have him bring Rascal downstairs thru the outside door, like he used to do Ruby. A short walk beforehand would be even better. I would ignore any of the new behaviors. I know it is hard to ignore her barking and pawing, but with a new routine, it will disappear. I was just going to suggest this. There are times in a dog's life (and our own) when repatterning is necessary. Since your husband seems to be the trigger for her unusual behaviour, he needs to be involved in changing it. Judy had an excellent point about littermates and their close connection. I expect that Rascal is grieving, but hoping Daddy can fix things. On a positive note, I'm so happy to hear that Rascal is still doing well. I always tell people when talking about cancer "if my dog has to get cancer I want it to be hemangiopericytoma". If only my husband could fix it.... As for the cancer, I guess this is one that is a lesser evil. She still feels pretty good, although the tumor is very ugly--I just hate that my beautiful Rascal has this ugly thing--but I suppose it could be a lot worse. Our vet is actually amazed that she is still around, almost 2.5 years post-surgery. She had the surgery May '09, exactly one month after my daughter died. Edited September 14, 2011 by rascalsmom Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 A little update. Last night, my DH was not home when I went downstairs. Rascal went with me, I gave her a treat, and she settled onto her bed. Never a peep out of her. About 1/2 hour later, DH got home, and as soon as he came downstairs she started barking at him, pawing at him, etc. This is definitely related to him somehow. In a prior post, you mentioned that she got your husband to give her FIFTEEN Milk Bones! Perhaps she simply knows if she acts up he'll repeat the festival of treats? I can't even fathom giving a dog 15 treats at once! Maybe she just knows Daddy will bend over backwards for her?? Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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