I have a 2 year old Bichon Frise bitch whose main activity is sitting behind the sofa looking miserable. I try to entice her with games, toys and interesting walks but she rarely responds. What can I do to make her happy?

Have you taken her to the vet, if not I would. She may be having a phantom pregnancy, or be unwell. Has it been going on long? How long have you had her and is this normal behaviour for her?

She has behaved like this since we bought her as a puppy nearly two years ago. She definitely isn't unwell because this is how she has always acted. I have been advised to find another bichon so that she can have company. Perhaps not having another dog around the house makes her lonely which in turn makes her miserable?

Welcome to the forum Abi :-) glad you have decided to join us.

I think that if she is two years old now , then it is very unlikely that you will change her. Was she kennel reared? At what age did you buy her ? How does she react around other dogs? Her reaction to them may gauge whether it is worth getting a second dog or not!
Maybe she is just " not unduly cheerful" :-)

Leigh

HI Abi

I wonder if this is just her, (could be couldn't it) or is there a possibiluty a vet visit could be in order, as Westie lover suggested, as maybe she is lacking in something, or has an underactive thyroid or whatever.

Two years does seem a long time, but a checkup woudn't hurt and then at least you'd be certain. Does the dog actually seem depressed or lethargic or even bored? How do you live with her, does she get lots of walks and nice things to do? Do you have fun with her? And what is she like when she does meet other dogs? Questions, questions, questions!!!

Hope you find the answer.

HI again Abi

Sorry ,I see you have already mentioned about the walks and so on, put it down to a failing memory on my part!!!

Hi Abi,

I have just the same symptoms with my 3yr old Staffie. Unless i stimulating her all the time, she will go and sit on the setee with big sad eyes and not move. I worry about her as she does get depressed. We play, go on walks, i have a doggy walker i can do no more. So i have come to the conclusion she is lonelyand am trying to find a pup as we speak, i'm just unsure of what dog to get. If she loves being in the company of other dogs when out, then go for it, i'm sure 2 dogs are better than one.

Best of luck with your girl, i know how you feel, if only they could speak and tell you.

Regards
Suzi

Yes, but lets not lose sight of the fact that they are DOGS and they do NOT have human emotions. :-)

Leigh

Hi,

I realise they are dogs, but if you had a dog who was depressed and didn';t want to move off his/her bed usually but thrived in other dogs company - what would you do????

They do have emotions, not like us i do realise but they experience happy, sad, lonely etc.. or don't you think so????

Suzi

If, as you say, the dog thrives in other dogs company then I would agree that getting another dog would be a good idea. However Abi has made no mention of how her Bichon behaves with other dogs or whether they cheer her up at all. In her case getting another dog might make things worse.

I would agree with you that they experience differing moods.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Suzi, I was not criticizing you !

Of course dogs have different "moods" :-) But as Joan quite rightly pointed out, for Abi to take on another dog just because everyone assumes that her bitch is 'depressed' is very unwise! Her bitch might hate other dogs !

Leigh

I know you weren't - well you know what us women can be like, just like Abi's dog sometimes i want to sit behind the sofa and sulk!!!

Suzi

Well don't ......it's not allowed ! :-) Leigh