Duke's New Toy

[hugapitbull]

Last Sunday I was doing laundry and found one of Trouble's stuffed toys on top of the dryer. Most toys they shared, but this pig was hers. I tossed it to Duke and he immediately became obsessed with it. It makes oinky sounds instead of a squeaker sounds. He carried it around all evening and whined. He tried to find a safe place for it and finally gave up, resigned to just laying it beside (or under) him and watching/guarding. He never was aggressive if we were too close, but he would pick it up and move it. He wanted it near him ALL the time. I would trade him a treat to get him to drop it so we could go outside. A couple days later he finally stopped whining when he carried it.

Now, in the last couple of days, the obsession is beginning to subside. He actually offered the toy to Bob yesterday. Are all dogs weird?

[pitbullmamaliz]

Yes. Now where's the video?

[iluvk9]

See, I read it all differently. I think it smells delightfully like Trouble, and he knows she is not there.

[hugapitbull]

See, I read it all differently. I think it smells delightfully like Trouble, and he knows she is not there.

Truly, I think so too. He has become an almost new dog. Extremely well behaved, even outside. No longer barks, lunges, snarls at people on the road. His energy no longer is directed toward protecting Trouble.

[plebayo]

See, I read it all differently. I think it smells delightfully like Trouble, and he knows she is not there.

Truly, I think so too. He has become an almost new dog. Extremely well behaved, even outside. No longer barks, lunges, snarls at people on the road. His energy no longer is directed toward protecting Trouble.

x3! It's kind of interesting how things change... and it's kind of weird how much some pets do care for each other and do mourn a loss.

[Malli]

Yes all dogs are weird, some are weirder, or maybe not weirder, but we have less ease in relating to the behavior. Just ask the 27 idiots I work with!

I have always wanted a second dog, but have yet to experience it, so can only refer to the work dogs (most of whom cannot be loose together), and Oscar, on his own.

I do wonder if his reaction was related to the association of the toy, both in memory and smell. He misses his old lady

[mnp13]

See, I read it all differently. I think it smells delightfully like Trouble, and he knows she is not there.

Truly, I think so too. He has become an almost new dog. Extremely well behaved, even outside. No longer barks, lunges, snarls at people on the road. His energy no longer is directed toward protecting Trouble.

I think you've got something here.

[iluvk9]

Yea...every once in awhile, I come up with something good.

[hugapitbull]

See, I read it all differently. I think it smells delightfully like Trouble, and he knows she is not there.

Truly, I think so too. He has become an almost new dog. Extremely well behaved, even outside. No longer barks, lunges, snarls at people on the road. His energy no longer is directed toward protecting Trouble.

I think you've got something here.

He still lunges at four wheelers, but is much more tolerant of the neighbors, people walking, and even other dogs.

[iluvk9]

Shove the toy in his mouth when those things are around.

[Pit♥bull]

Shove the toy in his mouth when those things are around.

Better yet.... You come shove it in his mouth

[Jenn]

[iluvk9]

Oh, I forgot how "assertive" Duke can be.

[airwalk]

I think Joyce is right. I believe we underestimate how and how much our dogs grieve for their partners.