My 8 month old Dobie just lost his companion, a 2 year old Lab.  He seems to have taken it in stride, except when I give him a pig ear or rawhide treat he starts to wimper and runs to hide it under the pillows on my bed.  He's never done this before and I'm wondering if he's reacting to his missing buddy?  When I would give each of them a treat, the Dobie would always drop his and try to snatch the Lab's.  Maybe giving him the treat triggers his memory?  With animals, I've always thought "out of sight, out of mind"  Maybe this isn't the case?
Any comments?

I'm so sorry you just lost your Lab. It's such a hard thing. I will be facing that before too long with my 13 yr. old Lab. I fully expect all my dogs to miss her as well. They are crazy about her.

"out of sight, out of mind" No, I'll never believe that. They get very attached to eachother and their minds are quite highly evolved so that I think they really feel a loss. It may not last as long as it does for us.

So, I expect this strange behavior may have something to do with it. I couldn't say what the direct connection is though.

I know you and your Dobe will be there for eachother to offer comfort in this hard time. So sorry.

Carrie

Thanks, Carrie.  I appreciate your kind words.  It is really amazing, losing my dog was in some ways worse than my divorce!  (sad, but true)
Shelby (dobie) and I seem to be bonding much closer since Doc died, so that's a good thing.   I'm thinking maybe I should just change the type of treat I'm giving Shelby?  (no pig ears or rawhide chews)  At least for the time being, so he won't be reminded!   One other thing, do you use a kong?  If so, what type of treat would you put inside to keep them busy?  I tried bite size canine chews but they fall out too fast and Shelby (like his Mom) doesn't like peanut butter, either.  Any suggestions?

I have never used a Kong. I don't know why exactly. I guess part of it is I'm paranoid about obsessive compulsive disorder so I try to really vary the dog's attention to things. And try to do large muscle activities more to interest my Dobe. I don't know if there's any meritt in my gut feeling....probably not, but I know people use peanut butter sometimes in those things. I do have Nyla bones...had a bad experience with pig's ears (almost killed my Chi) so don't use that or rawhide anymore. I think anything they can rip pieces off of can cause a blockage and/or intestinal scratches.

I guess if it were me, I'd go ahead and let your dog go through his grief (or whatever it is) his own way and it will probably fade out in a little time. So, if it is that he's being reminded, maybe he just has to go through that. Just extra love and attention will be great. Again....I'm so sorry. Also, I'm no expert mind you. These are just my gut feelings from years of having a lot of dogs.

Carrie

This is normal behaviour in dogs, especially at around 8 months. dogs do hide resources and dig them up later; I doubt very much if it has anything to do with the loss of your other dog, it is just coincidental.

Personally I would rather give my dog a nice fresh bone than a pigs ear or rawhide; at least I know where it comes from, it has not been deep fried, bleached, treated with chemicals (and rawhide does not necessarily originate from beef.................) and pigs ears and rawhides are terrible for causing impaction etc.

Just a thought

Thanks for the response, tohme.  What specific type or bone to you give your dog?
Do you buy them, or are they leftover from dinner?  I've heard certain types of bones
(chicken) can be destructive.  Shelby needs something to occupy his time as he has
a very short attention span.  (hopefully this will improve with age)  He is also going
through a terribly destructive chewing stage.  I bought him a muzzle, but he absolutely
hates it.  Each time I put it on him, he runs to the backyard and stands there pouting, so
I'm thinking perhaps I should find another solution.  I've "puppy proofed" the house as best
I can, but he still finds things to chew. (yes, he has tons of chew toys)  Any suggestions?

all of mine hide their chews if theyve had enough! dont read too much into it! try giving less treats & see if it stops!

when flynn was a baby he hid a raw kidney under the stereo system,(its on wheels!)

Dogs are built to eat raw bones (including chicken); in the wild they catch and eat bunnies, birds, rodents etc and crunch them up bones, fur and all and sometimes bigger prey.

To keep your dog occupied a nice large knuckle bone (RAW never cooked) will give him mental and physical exercise.  One it has been completely stripped remove and replace; of course he could hide the raw bones somewhere............. :D and they have the disadvantage that they smell when ripe :D :D