Hello all.

We have a 7 month old bulldog, Maggie and since my husband and I got her he has been here the whole time.  My husband is in the forces and is set to go away in the next week on a long tour and I am becoming worried about the effect this will have on Maggie.  Since we got Maggie she has took to my husband more than me.  She goes to work with my husband, follows him around the house, sits on his feet in the morning when he is brushing his teeth etc and is constantly by his side.  If my husband even pops out for a short while she mopes about, will not engage with me and just sits either at the door waiting for him to return or goes and sulks in her bed.  On the odd occasion lately with my hubby having to train etc he has been away for a day or so at a time and because I work she has gone to my mum in laws for the day however when I have returned my mum in law says how miserable she has been all day and that she has just sat at the door waiting and the other day she said she sat for a while facing a corner and just sat there.  I really dont know what I am going to do with her while he is away and am worried that she will be like this permanently.  Will she still remember him when he returns?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Dogs are very resilient and she will be fine. Yes, she will mope for a little while as her routine has been changed, and yes, she will miss your OH. BUT she will get over it and, especially at her age, will adjust to a new regime. Don't try to mollycoddle her though, she won't understand it.

About 30 years ago I had a 6 month old GSD-X bitch that we rehomed due to the fact that she wouldn't let me anywhere near my newborn son :-( Almost a year later she saw my mum as she was walking down the street. She immediately gave chase and gave my mum a huge bear hug :-) Her new owner was mortified, whereas my mum couldn't talk for laughing ;-) So yes, your bitch will remember him when he comes home :-D

Although our dogs do love and miss us, it is more to do with routine, a dog knows what time this happens, and that happens, where it goes with this person and with that, as your dog spends most of her time with your husband she obviously will be closer to him and spend her time with him when at home too.

Your girl is out of her routine at your mum-in-laws, she has no idea this is going to be a permanent routine very soon, and is just awaiting her owner to come and collect her at present to continue with the routine that she knows, very much like our dogs in kennels, they sit and wait and wait, no matter how good the care may be, they want to be home with their owner and the life they know.

The good news is she will get used to her new routine, especially when she realises that the man in her life is not there, her routine will change, her allegiances will also change, dogs soon wish to please the people that feed, walk and care for them, that person will soon be you, she will be out of sync for a while, but dogs are very good at adapting, don't worry as long as she is eating she will be ok. :-)

I so hope you are right, as I am worrying about how this will affect her.  Her routine is going to completely change until he gets back.  Hopefully this may make us bone more with hubby being away as husband bought Maggie for me but she has not taken to me at all and hardly spends any time with me even though I am the one that feeds her and takes her for a walk, sm I am thinking that this could be the making of us

I'm sure she will miss him but she will adapt and it may be a good thing as it will give her a chance to bond more with you :-)

tell your partner to do a few things to help before he leaves.
no letting her follow him for example close the door when he leaves a room to stop the dog from following.
not letting the dog sleep with him.
and you can form a strong bond with the dog with training classes.
just simple things that can stop seperation anxiety which can cause destruction and anti social behaviour like excessive barking when he leaves for work.

I agree with what the others have said - dogs love routine and I think Maggie would have been finding it hard at your mum in laws to adapt to a new routine. You may find in the evenings when your husband is away that she will come to you and bond with you more. She will definitely remember him when he comes back, I used to look after 2 dogs for a friend when they went on holiday. I had a period of not seeing them for about 2 years but when I saw them after that, they were so excited and definitely remembered me (they associated me with walkies so they got very excited).

I have a Cavalier who used to belong to my OH's ex wife. When they divorced, she left him to look after her and refused to take her. I think Pixie has always been a ladies dog as as soon as I moved in with my OH, she devoted herself to me and she now goes upstairs to bed if I am not in, even if my OH is downstairs she will go to bed until I come home.

Does your hubby do everything with Maggie like the walking, feeding etc?

Edited to add - sorry, I didn't see your other post that stated that you feed and walk Maggie. I think this is a good opportunity while your husband is away for you and Maggie to bond.