[SOLVED ] Q. When I go away, my son stays at the house and notices my 10 year old half German Shepherd/Brittany Spaniel, won't eat, just stares at my son...

and cries

Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :

A. This is not unusual with dogs, especially those used to having one owner home most or all of the time. There are a number of things you can do to help including phermonone products in the house and on the bedding areas to provide a sense of security, calming supplements a few days before and during your absence such as kalm aid and also getting your son to call and feed him ocassionally when you are at home to get him more used to the routine

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :

There can be lots of reasons your dog is not eating from stress/anxiety, to changes in or lack of routine and exercise, to health problems such as food allergies, parasites, malabsorption problems, infection, and other more serious health problems such as liver or kidney disease, hormonal conditions, and cancers.

The German Shepherd is an amazing dog with tons of excellent qualities. They have a lifespan of 9-13 years which is average for most dogs. There are several factors that can affect how long they live. It is important to recognize these factors and hopefully extend their lives as much as possible.

Like all dog breeds, German Shepherds are uniquely vulnerable to certain diseases. German Shepherds are more likely than dogs of other breeds to suffer from degenerative myelopathy, hip dysplasia, and dilated cardiomyopathy.

If your German Shepherd is still not interested in eating and other feeding behaviors have started to change, you might want to give your vet a call and have him checked over. A sudden lack of appetite and resulting weight loss can signify other issues going on.

The first thing to do when a previously house trained dog begins urinating or defecating inside is to rule out any medical problems. Urinary tract infections, cystitis (bladder inflammation), bladder stones, kidney disease, or arthritis or age-related incontinence could all be causes of house soiling in dogs.

Most healthy dogs can go up to five days without food, though that number is only true if your pet is still drinking plenty of water. Some can even go up to seven days without, though you should never let things get that far without taking your dog to the vet.

Since large dogs age faster than their smaller canine friends, German shepherds are considered seniors by around 7 years old.

From 9 Months to 24 Months

Dogs of different breeds and sizes mature at different ages, and while one year of age is commonly considered the end of puppyhood in general, a German Shepherd Dog may not reach an adult level of maturity before the age of two or three (and males tend to reach this stage later than females).

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is the number one problem related specifically to German Shepherd health. While there are other dogs that manifest this problem, especially other larger dogs, it is extremely common in German Shepherds, especially among litters in kennels where dog health is not a priority.

As a working breed from the herding group, the GSD is alert, active, and quick to respond to environmental stimuli. They are very aware of their environment, and respond to changes in it more quickly than other breeds. They also tend to be more aloof with strangers, and can vary widely in their levels of affection.

Your dog wants some company

“Dogs find that meals are more fun with others,” Semel tells The Dodo. “By nature, dogs are social creatures and the company can motivate them to eat.” If you don`t mind hanging out while he eats, there`s no harm in being in the room during mealtime.

Chronic illness may cause dogs to stop eating but continue drinking. If your dog is avoiding food but is drinking excessive amounts of water—much more than is normal for him—this is a telltale sign that he has develop diabetes. Take him to the vet for a diagnosis and to find out more about his options.

Dog incontinence is a normal sign of aging, but if your older dog is peeing in the house, it could also indicate a more serious health issue. Incontinence can be caused by many different things, including aging, disease, infections, and pain. If your senior dog is urinating in the house, consult a vet immediately.

Vinegar. Just like citrus, dogs cannot stand the smell of vinegar. It seems that a dog`s heightened sense of smell is not keen on acidic smells, vinegar being another very acidic substance. It is worth noting that dogs are more repelled by the smell of vinegar than they are by lemons and oranges.

German Shepherds should not be left alone for more than 8 hours a day. They are easily bored so if they are left alone for that long, they may start engaging in destructive or problematic behavior such as digging, chewing and barking.

A young dog can hold their pee for up to 10-12 hours if needed, but that doesn`t mean that they should. The average adult dog should be allowed to relieve itself at least 3-5 times per day. That`s at least once every 8 hours.

Unlike other breeds, German Shepherds don`t need to bathe often. In fact, it`s best that they only bathe every 3-4 months. German Shepherds have a double coat – the topcoat and the undercoat. The topcoat protects them from sun exposure, dust and other particles.

What is this? As a rule of thumb, don`t exceed 5 minutes for each month of the puppy`s age of acceptable exercise no more than twice a day. For instance, 15 minutes of exercise twice a day is ideal for a 3-month-old puppy, while 20 minutes twice a day is ideal for a 4-month-old puppy.

The German Shepherd dog (GSD) is one of the larger dog breeds with multiple excellent qualities. Its average lifespan is 9-13 years, which concurs with the timeline for most dogs. However, a range of factors may affect its livelihood, and it is essential to pay attention to these concerns to prolong their lives.

When Do German German Shepherds Calm Down? Generally, German Shepherds are anticipated to calm down during their early times as puppies, which generally ranges from 6 months to 3 years.

Stage 5: Adolescence at 6-18 Months

Adolescence in German Shepherd Dogs will begin around nine or ten months old and likely continue until they are two or three years old. Starts inappropriate chewing (furniture, shoes, etc.) Starts sexual behavior if not spayed/neutered, humping etc.

German shepherds are rarely aggressive towards their owners or family since that is the thing they`re protecting. They may at times become overprotective of family members, but this trait should be manageable with proper training.

In German Shepherds, food allergies are most commonly triggered by sources of animal protein, such as beef or chicken. They may also develop an intolerance over time to other food sources such as wheat, eggs, soy or milk.

Heart disease: Cardiovascular diseases including primary myocardial or heart muscle degeneration, necrosis, hypertrophy, fibrosis cardiac vascular disease, heart tumors, valvular/congenital anomalies and cardiomyopathies can lead to sudden death.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. When I go away, my son stays at the house and notices my 10 year old half German Shepherd/Brittany Spaniel, won’t eat, just stares at my son and cries

ANSWER : A. This is not unusual with dogs, especially those used to having one owner home most or all of the time. There are a number of things you can do to help including phermonone products in the house and on the bedding areas to provide a sense of security, calming supplements a few days before and during your absence such as kalm aid and also getting your son to call and feed him ocassionally when you are at home to get him more used to the routine

Read Full Q/A … : Dog Depression: Causes and Cures

Q. Why does my dog eat grass?

ANSWER : A. As another user mentioned, dogs can eat grass when they want to vomit. Sometimes, when a dog has an upset tummy, they will eat grass. If you notice your dog eating grass frantically, you can assume vomiting will shortly follow. Grass does not digest and pass normally. If your dog eats too much grass, it can cause serious issues with pooping. Your dogs poop can end up all tangled inside of her, and it can need veterinary assistance to remove it. The same goes for celery, so avoid feeding celery to your dog.

The other day my boyfriend accidentally left the laundry room door open where we were keeping the trash that was filled with cooked chicken bones. She ate one of the chicken bones lightning fast. We had to induce vomiting by feeding her some hydrogen peroxide. After we had fed her the peroxide, she immediately began frantically eating grass because her tummy was upset.

If there is something lacking in your dogs diet, it could be that your dog is eating grass to make up for it. I am sure that my dogs diet is extremely well balanced (I do not only feed her an air-dried raw food-type diet (Ziwipeak), but a wide variety of safe, healthy foods), so when she eats grass, I know that it is because she has an upset tummy.

That is why I think it is important making sure your dog has a very well balanced diet. If your dog is on a low quality kibble, your dog may be trying to let you know by eating grass (or eating poop).

Read Full Q/A … : Why Dogs Eat Grass: Causes and Prevention – WebMD

Q. My dog hasnt eaten snce I left 4 days ago. I won’t be home for 6 more days. How can the caretaker get her to eat?

ANSWER : A. If your dog is feeling a bit sad while you are away and is refusing to eat, your pet sitter may try some things such as adding in boiled chicken or turkey to meals to encourage eating. A pet-safe gravy may also entice your dog to eat as well while you are gone. Your pet sitter may also want to offer smaller meals more often throughout the day to give your dog more chances to try and eat when she is feeling more comfortable and a little less sad. A game of fetch or playing together may also get your dog’s appetite going and help her to feel more comfortable eating around your pet sitter.

If your dog is showing any other signs of illness in addition to the refusal to eat (beyond normal missing an owner), then it is always a good idea to keep an eye out and contact a veterinarian as needed.

Read Full Q/A … : ufdc.ufl.edu

Q. My 2 months old rottweiler puppy isn’t eating properly. Shes only eating shredded or minced chicken but adding any thing means she won’t eat.

ANSWER : A. This is not a nutritionally adequate diet for your puppy. She needs to be eating a good quality puppy food. Put the proper amount in her bowl and put it down without any fuss. Leave it for fifteen minutes. After that, if she has not eaten, pick it up–again without fuss–and do not give her anything else to eat until her next scheduled mealtime, not even treats. When she is due to eat again, repeat the process. This may take quite a few days to resolve, as she will try to hold out for the chicken. Do not give in! Remember that you are not starving her. The food is there, but she is choosing not to eat. When she realizes that this is all she is going to get, she will begin to eat and your problem will be solved.

Read Full Q/A … : Some Common Reasons Why Your Dog Won't Eat

Q. Looking to get a second dog to go along with my 10 year old dog. He doesn’t like other hyper dogs, are there any specific “calm” dog breeds?

ANSWER : A. Stay away from puppies then. No matter what breed u get, they will be hyper. Calmer breeds can include something like a climber spaniel (dog that the cartoon droopy was modeled after) Basset hounds (although you give up hyper and they are very loud) it’s hard to say on a lot of breeds due to the fact that not all dogs are the same even in the same breed. Research almost any breed that appeals to you if your going to buy a pure breed dog, if going to rescue or adopt from a pound then go look around and see the attitude of the different dogs and see how they do with your pet.

Read Full Q/A … : When to Get a Second Dog, How to Pick the Right One

Q. Husband shamed dog for having an accident inside, and now she won’t poop when he takes her out. Can we fix this? He realizes he erred

ANSWER : A. Good on your husband for realizing that scolding is not the way to potty train! Hopefully these tips can help both him and your pup get back on the right track and make pottying outside successful.

If your dog is still a puppy, that is good news as you may be able to more easily time your potty outings with your dog’s schedule. Even if your dog is older, this schedule may help. Dogs generally have to go potty about 15 minutes after eating, drinking, waking up or playing. Knowing this, get your husband to start taking out your puppy at these key times, so puppy gets used to going out with him, and the urge to potty may be higher than any fear to go. If the potty is successful, have your husband reward the dog with a favorite treat! For bowel movements, dogs may take a little more time, and you may have to stand outside for a while (sometimes even 10 minutes) to give your dog a chance to go. If she doesn’t go, take her back inside and play some, then try again in about 15 minutes. Again, a success equals a treat which most dogs will like right away!

For any indoor potty accidents that occurred, an enzymatic cleaner is great for cleaning up urine and stool. Not only does it remove the stain and smell, but it breaks down the enzymes in the urine and stool your dog can smell, which may deter her from going potty there again.

Read Full Q/A … : Port Manteaux Word Maker – OneLook Dictionary Search

Q. Wants to go out very frequently. Has fecal matter attached to anus but won’t let me remove it. She won’t sleep and wants to stay on my lap.

ANSWER : A. So I’m hearing a couple of problems going on. Frequent defecation with diarrhea (I’m assuming, since there’s fecal matter attached and the anus, and typically it only “sticks” when it’s soft) and lethargy/clinginess. Pretty general signs, however let’s focus on the diarrhea and assume it’s a GI thing. You didn’t tell me whether this is a cat or dog but I’ll assume dog since you said she goes outside to defecate.

Diarrhea may or may not be a sign of a serious disease. I don’t get especially concerned with one or two episodes in an animal who seems to feel completely normally otherwise, but what you’re describing sounds concerning. Your dog is restless, can’t get comfortable, and is somewhat needy – all of those indicate discomfort to me.

Without knowing how old your dog is it’s pretty difficult to get specific about causes, but I’ll mention some possibilities. Certainly parasites, including giardia, can cause diarrhea, as well as bacterial or viral infections in the gut. Indiscriminate eating, which dogs are master of, can cause diarrhea. Food allergies or sensitivities as well as inflammatory bowel disease are on the list. More serious causes include liver, kidney, or pancreatic disease, as well as intestinal cancers.

I’m hoping this has only been going on for a little while. You can try feeding a bland/high-fiber diet of boiled white meat chicken and white rice (25% chicken and 75% rice) in small (1/4 to 1/2 cup) amounts frequently (every two hours). If the diarrhea doesn’t resolve in 12 hours see a veterinarian. If she’s vomiting or won’t eat at all, see a vet sooner.

Read Full Q/A … : Leerburg

Q. My dog doesn’t eat, what should I do?

ANSWER : A. If this is a puppy, see a veterinarian immediately. Puppies should want to eat. Common causes for anorexia in puppies include viruses (parvo is a big one), parasitism, and foreign bodies. They need immediate care – go to an emergency vet if yours isn’t open. Puppies can get low blood sugar and dehydration very quickly.

If this is an adult dog and you observe other concerning signs, such as diarrhea or decreased energy, you should see a veterinarian.

If the dog seems otherwise bright and stable, try offering different types of food: wet food, canned tripe, or cooked chicken and rice. Some dogs will go for canned baby food: chicken, turkey, or beef as the main ingredient. Make sure there are no garlic or onions in the ingredients!

Causes of anorexia in adult dogs can range from less serious to severe. Younger dogs are more likely to get into trouble- they tend to eat things they shouldn’t, and can get foreign bodies from eating things like socks, or stomach upset from getting in the trash. Any dog may stop eating due to stress, or just being a picky eater. Middle aged dogs can stop eating when they’re stressed and also have Addison’s disease, which can be fatal. Older dogs tend to stop eating when they develop cancer or renal disease.

There is no one-size-fits-all recipe to know when the right time is to take your dog to the vet. The moral of this story is, if it’s not getting better, your pup feels bad, or you’re worried – go see the vet!

Read Full Q/A … : My Dog Won’t Eat