Help with Watson. :(

[dhollister]

Hi guys -

A couple months ago, I joined this community and started a topic about Watson, my German Shepherd, who will be 11 in May.

He was my mother's dog, and my mother passed away in December. I am 19 and am the only one who will take care of him.

The problem is, it's been 2 months since I last posted and nothing has improved. Watson still wakes me up almost every night at 2-3am having to go to the bathroom. He has to go several times a day, much more than normal. He also drinks a lot of water as opposed to waht he used to. He sleeps most of the day and is awake all night. He doesn't even enjoy going on walks all that much right now, so it's not even a lack of exercise.

The biggest problem, though, is just a crave for attention. He barks and whines virtually every hour of every day, for no other reason than he wants to be petted. I can sit and give him attention for a full hour, but 5 minutes after I stop, he'll come back and start whining again.

I'm thinking of taking him to a vet to see if there is anything wrong with him. I was under the impression that this is all emotional, but the problem is that emotional or not, I cannot keep dealing with this. I'm 19, college student, very busy, and I try to be with Watson as much as I can but realistically when I move out of the house to my new apartment, he's going to be getting potentially less attention than he does now, since I'll be gone several hours out of the day.

Is there something potentially physically wrong with him? Should I refuse him water when he drinks so much of it now, or does he probably need it if he's drinking it? Most importantly, what should I do about his attention needs? Because realistically, I will never be able to cater to them.

 

[bubbatd]

This is so sad for you both !!! I would say he is very depressed and feels your sorrow too . When I got Chip he would drink at least 2 gallons of water a day .... he still does if he's upset about something. Do make sure it's not a medical issue. If not, withhold water from early evening on. Put ice cubes in a bowl rather than water. Where do you live ??? I'd love to try to help out ,

 

[dhollister]

I'm from Southern California.

Yeah, I'll definitely take him to the vet and make sure it's not medical. But even if it is just sorrow, there's not a lot I can reall do to help it. I give him plenty of attention during the day, but then I'm also a student and I work so there's still always going to be a period of hours where I will not be able to.

The problem is, whenever I don't give him water at night, he bugs me endlessly and wakes me up and everything until I do.

I guess I'll take him to the vet and make sure there's nothing wrong before i start taking his water away again.

 

[Julie]

A checkup is a good idea. If everything is normal, think about how the dog was treated when your mom was living. (Sorry to hear about your loss)
What did she do? Did she let him out in the middle of the night? Maybe this is a learned behaviour. If she didn't, what is happening that might be different?
Did he go out more during the day and get more excercise than now? Did you switch dogfoods?

Just think of the changes the dog has went thru (I mean it was a constant for 11 years, and now everything is different) and see if you can try to go back to the way your mom treated him.

I know shepherds are persistant. If Rocket hears a dog bark outside she paws me to be let out, I tell her our "no" command, she lays down.................for about 2 minutes, and then back at me again.

I am just curious, will Watson stay behind, or go with you to your new apartment?

I think if you take Watson (considering his age) on a long walk everyday, this will help him sleep better at night. Take him whether you think he wants to go or not. It sounds like he has his nights and days mixed up. Tire him out during the day, but don't overdue it due to his age.

I hope everything checks out at the vet visit, and you can concentrate on fixing this, not on a health problem.

Best wishes,
Julie.

 

[dhollister]

Yes, that's the problem. My mother was disabled and stayed at home the whole day, and she devoted practically all of it to Watson. She gave him attention 24/7. If she was watching TV, she'd stroke his head the entire hour or so non-stop. If she walked around the house or something, he'd walk with her.

But that's the problem, is that I unfortunately cannot "try to go back to the way she treated him" because I will never have that kind of time. Watson will indeed be moving with me, since nobody else in my family is willing to take care of him, but I will still never have the kind of time that my mom had to give him attention, as she was disabled and never left home, whereas I work and go to school.

 

[bubbatd]

Maybe he'd be good to re-home to another senior in need. I wish I could take him in for you !! Maybe when you move, he'll re adapt better. Give the boy a second chance . I'm so glad you care about his welfare .... a change may be good for him . He obviously misses your Mom.

 

[dhollister]

Yeah, I'm not trying to sound like I want to get rid of him, I definitely do not! I love Watson and it would devistate him and myself to put him into another family after being with us for so long. I just want to find out how to make this work.

I'll just take him to the vet and go from there I suppose. Thank you all for your help.

Here is a picture of Watson and my mother so you can see how handsome he is: http://www.danielhollister.com/karenwatson.jpg

 

[Saje]

Sounds like a UTI. I wouldn't withhold water. It's such a vital thing. And if he does have an UTI you want things to get flushed out. Go to the vet and let us know.

 

[smkie]

2 months is not long in the time of grieving. mary was just heartbroken when her son died. I was afraid i was going to lose her too. Finally i adopted Vic even tho only 2 months had passed in hopes that he would help her gain her life back..that is why i remember how she was at 2 months.
poor watson. I am home with my dogs all the time so i can imagine what a mess Victor and mary would be if i was to die now. They are use to having me around all the time. I hope your vet can give you an antidepressent to help watson. From what i have read depression either caused be real events of life or chemical imbalance all have the same effect on the body. I know they have some new drugs for dogs that they didn't years before. If that doesnt work maybe you can rehome watson with an elderly person. My mom's dog shaffer was owned by an old woman that passed away. He was on the streets apparently for a month before being brought to my door so thin it hurt to look at him. My mom took him in and they are a perfect fit! he seems to know how to behave around an elderly lady and she of course is home as much as his mum before. 11 still leaves a few good years of life so i hope something can be done to help his broken heart. I am so sorry for you both.

 

[Jynx]

I'm so sorry for your loss and commend you for taking Watson in when others wouldn't. THe picture is lovely! It's obvious from that pic your mom loved him and I'm sure he loved her.

I agree about not withholding water right now, and I would definately seek out a vet. At this age, other than maybe a UTI, he may be having some kidney problems that meds would straighten out.

Also, I know your a student and I'm sure money is tight, but maybe if your gone for long periods during the day, you could find a dog walker for Watson? Something to break up his daily routine. Just an idea. I have GSD's, and every one I've ever lived with, have been very owner sensitive. Especially the males! They tend to be very clingy . One I have right now, if I'm gone for a couple days he won't eat, he sits at the window waiting for me. I can't leave the room without him going w/me. He "lives" for me. It can be flattering but also not very realistic at times, altho he doesn't suffer from seperation anxiety thank goodness.

I hope everything works out for both of you, he's a lovely dog
Diane

 

[mojozen]

Gorgeous Boy!!!

 

[bubbatd]

I just saw the picture... what a great looking boy and your Mom was so pretty !! My she looks young ! Such a shame !

 

[dhollister]

Yes, she was just 53. Lung cancer, unfortunately.

But yeah, I'm walking him more during the day now, and I'm going to make a vet appointment for him whenever they open again.

And I have indeed considered getting a dog walker for him if I end up being gone a lot. Money is tight, but I want to help him as best as I can, and I'll do whatever it takes for him to feel better.

Thank you all for your great advice!

 

[MyDogsLoveMe]

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your mom... Grieving with pets is so hard, as he might be still grieving and not know quite what to do. It is great that your able to care for him and keep him with you. Also remember his age to. Taking him to the vet is a great idea just to make sure that he is healthy and there is nothing medical going on. He is indeed a beautiful young man...

 

[smkie]

Maybe there is a senior in your neighborhood that would pet sit. I know i have suggested this before to many people and they dont really take me seriously but a lot of lonely people are out there. MOst seniors cannot afford a dog because of limited income and would enjoy a few extra dollars a week (even 10 buys a lot of food) and some company. You could post a flyer at your nearby senior center. Just a thought.

 

[MyDogsLoveMe]

Smkie that is a great idea, didnt even think of that.