[hieklyintinee]

Strange question I know.

Basically what I am asking is, do you think dogs crave being with other dogs. I mean they are pack animals. Do you think they thrive on being with other dogs?

Reason I ask: I have noticed quite a change in Sasha since losing Trouble. They were 5 months apart in age and Sasha really took to him when she came home and would have followed him off the edge of a cliff most likely. She is a follower. But she has been different since he has been gone. She has adapted well to being the only dog and I think she likes it but its like she is lost sometimes. I mean she knows we are there and she is to listen to us as always and she knows we take care of her. We feed her. She knows we are in charge. I'm not sure if she remembers him or not but its like something isn't there anymore for her.
The other day she had a chance to interact with some other dogs and she just light up and came to life. I hadn't seen that spark in her since Trouble was alive. She was herself again. Afterward though once we were home she became a gloomy gus again.
So I don't think it is a Trouble thing perse but a canine companionship thing.

I'm just wondering if some dogs need other dogs, you know?

[soipguibbom]

I think dogs that are brought up together do notice a missing "friend".

But to answer your question, I don't know. I know some dogs love playing with other dogs. But just as many do not like other dogs. Some of those are fearful;, others just would prefer a good rumble-in-the-jungle versus a happy romp.

I've gone from 14 dogs to just 2. One of those I've had all that time; the other I've had since early 2007. And yet they seem to be just fine. They don't like each other (hubby almost had a fight yesterday morning when he had a brain lapse and did something stupid) and they don't want to play. They've gotten to where their kennels have to a few feet apart with something blocking their view.

Yet my dogs are happy. They "love" us. They enjoy playing with the kids. They enjoy the walks. I dunno. I can't say that my dogs are secretly pining away for other canine companionship (and in many ways, I don't even want to go down that route....the one where humans are given the power to say what a dog wants, likes, loves....i.e. such as not being on a chain or kenneled and given a couch of their own inside at all times).

[hieklyintinee]

Yeah I don't know if there is any real meaning to what I saw. It was just nice to see the old Sasha again, you know?

Not that it really matters, I'm not in a position to bring in another dog at this time anyway. Nor would I in an apartment. Not easy rasing a puppy in an apartment. It was just nice to see be herself.

[wheettebott]

I think that either of my dogs would be fine without the other... but they do love to play together and they seem to care for each other in general. However... I wouldn't get a dog just so my other dog wouldn't be alone.

I think dogs crave attention from people more. My Bubba actually insists on cuddling with me, especially if I have been gone for awhile. Darla though isn't much of a cuddler at all... she is more independent.

[hieklyintinee]

Oh I would never get another dog just because I think my dog is lonely. I really really really want another dog myself. But again I'm in an apartment right now and I've been down the raising a puppy in an apartment route before. And I have a baby Plus way too many breed restrictions. Almost every dog I like is on their restriction list. Heck for all I know this is just me looking for a way to justify wanting another dog. But I did see a difference in her. She has never been the only dog and now she is. She loves the being spoiled factor though. All the bones and toys are hers.

Plus we are kind of at odds over breeds. Basically My husband wants a Golden Retriever and I don't. See the problem. lol

---------- Post added at 01:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:10 PM ----------

I just kind of wondered though if some dogs were more drawn to other dogs than people. Then again she is a very people oriented dog as well

[OnerePeepsy]

From my perspective - some do, some don't ... some seem to forge lasting relationships, some do not.

When Madeleine died earlier this year, Esperanza did exhibit behaviors that I am going to label 'mourning or loss', for lack of a better description.

The two had hardly been apart in 8 years, and suddenly, Madeleine was gone ...

Espe slept in front of M's empty crate, and sat in the living room, peering out toward the gate (her spot, when she waiting for my DH to come home, so it appeared to me that she was doing the same thing, waiting for Madeleine's return).

She sniffed copiously in all spots where Madeleine had walked outside ...

This behavior subsided after about 2 weeks ...

She got along fabulously with Madeleine, and also with Trusty. Other, strange dogs - not so much and - at times - openly aggressive.

[QbCp7LaZ]

Different breeds and different dogs within breeds are different, but some do absolutely light up when they get the chance to play with other dogs. Being with people is fine, but unless you are willing to run around with them and roll in the grass, they will always have a different type of play with other dogs than they will with people. When they are living together for a long time things can really be tough for them when one dies. I have seen otherwise healthy dogs lose the will to live and be gone within a month after the loss of another dog.

[DailyRingtone]

Gypsy could care less. She'd prefer to be the only dog. Marsha would only miss Gypsy.

Mexi thrives on other dogs, and the same with Umah. I don't think they'd like just any dogs, but the ones they have always lived with.

---------- Post added at 02:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:47 PM ----------

But you know, now that I'm thinking about it, none of them actually 'miss' the other dogs when I just take one dog with me. Like when only Umah goes for a few days, she doesn't act at all like she wants the company of the other girls, lol. Same for all of them!

So probably they would be confused for a day or so, then just like being the only dog.

[ddwayspd]

Lily loves to play with other dogs and loved when I was roomies with my best friend and her boy (they are pair bonded). But oh boy is it a horse of a different color having to share her momma with another dog! She hated Scout at first and while I've made sure Lily is nice and not an asshole and they've got a wonderful relationship now... she would still prefer to be my only dog. I'm pretty sure it would be different if it were a male dog though. Lily is just way too dominate and Scout is basically an omega.

Scout is co-dependant on other dogs (and me) and cannot be alone period or she freaks out massively. I've worked on the SA as much as I'm able, but she is never going to be quite right due to a combination of crappy genetics and being part of a hoarding case as a puppy. This coupled with Lily basically wanting me to herself tells me that she is staying a foster only -- as much as I'd love for it to be a foster fail. There are other factors too, but the bottom line is that I don't feel its fair for Scout's only buddy to be someone whose a bitch to her sometimes and its not fair that I can't give them each individual walks/training because of Scout's SA. I mean take away me and Lily both and Scout will freak out so bad she'll either destroy the house or really piss of the neighbors. I kinda worry she'd hurt herself trying to get to us. So yeah, thats been a bundle of fun to juggle!

[Gazeboss]

None of mine care for the companionship of other dogs. I think that they like playing with SOME of them when around BUT for the most part, don't care. Judge for sure would much rather be with me and no other dog.

[LoloLibia]

Mine like each other, and a handful of friends dogs.

I think Ethel would be fine without them, since she's asleep most of the time anyway, and she wouldn't have to cram into the tiny car with them.

Lucy, eh, it could go either way. She seems to like having the other 2 to mess around with, and she is very affectionate with them, but I know she'd rather be the only dog seeing as she's a slut.

Damas, I think he'd die without the other dogs. He follows Lucy around imitating her. He's always trying to get Ethel to play with him, or trying to snuggle up to her. And he's miserable if they're not around and mopes around until they're back home. Which is funny because he's so dog reactive (could be DA, but I'm not really interested in finding out), and can't stand other dogs outside of my dogs, and our friends dogs.

[Ifroham4]

I think it depends on the dog. Some of my dogs couldn't be bothered with other dogs. Some LOVED other dogs. Some loved particular dogs. Some just wanted to kill all other dogs.

[FelixQY]

Mine definitely enjoy the company of other dogs. They love it when I bring new fosters into the house, or friends dogs coming to visit, which makes my life a whole lot easier!

I think they probably prefer other dogs over me, because I'm a big meany in their eyes (sometimes)

[hs6KnlcW]

My dog definitely craves dog companionship, which makes me feel guilty for not giving that to her. I believe a lot of it has to do with the fact that she most likely bonded with dogs instead of humans as a pup. She is very shy around people.

[RilmAlime67]

I think SOME dogs do,and some dogs prefer being with their human ''pack''. 2 of mine are very pack oriented (my GSDs),one is ''in between'' (doberman) and my APBT loves people,and basicly tollerates other dogs-but LOVES the company of cats!

[8jIDXQ80]

I think it depends on a dog. I've never had just one dog ever. I grew up with a pack of dogs and still have a pack of dogs.

I find my dogs really enjoy each other. They play and interact with each other all day. I have neighbor dogs that get out and come to my house to play. That has been an issue for years in both houses I lived in. My dogs for the most part welcome any dog so not a big issue, just reoccuring!!!!

This week we've had a male Boxer down almost daily. It started with Neva being inheat, but she is at the vets and he still comes down and has a blast playing with Angel, Ripley, and Jasmine. He lives with an Italian Greyhound and can't really play with her.

Casper is very dog selective, but once he accepts a dog, he likes being with them. Ronon is probably the only one I have that could be an only dog and be happy.

I tried taking one dog with me to the park and they are very subdued and don't really do anything. Take them all and they have a blast running and sniffing.

[hieklyintinee]

Very interesting hearing about your different dog dynamics.