Depressed?

[imported_Peggy Jensen]

I am asking my question here, because I'm not sure where else to go with it. I have an almost 3 year old Mini-Schnauzer, I have posted in the Dog Food forum, because of his maybe allergies.
This is a totally different problem which may not be a problem at all, maybe just a compulsive worrier's paranoia.
My worry is this, he used to follow me around wanting attention or to play almost all of the time, like I could not do anything else. For the last few months it seems, he has gotten where he will just lay on the floor with his nose on his paws an awful lot it seems like he looks sad, sometimes he lays in front of the slider doors where he can see out and watches kids outside or birds or whatever, he seems happy doing that. He always responds to a "Want to Play"! or "Go Outside" or anything, but I worry that he is depressed.
He stays in his crate while I am at work, I leave around 8:30 a.m. come home at noon for 1/2 hour or so to go for a walk and go potty, get a little attention and a drink, and them I am usually back by 5:00, we then go for a long walk usually at least an hour. He doesn't seem to act sick or anything just not real active unless someone gets him going, once in awhile he will go get a toy and come to play.
Anybody have any thoughts on this?

[Colleen]

Peggy,
I think those signs are just the opposite of what you are worried about. There are two really good things I noticed from your post:

1. He doesn't follow you around anymore. This is a good thing. Puppies follow mommies around because they are not comfortable being alone. The fact that your pup is content to just chill is really great!

2. YOU are initiating playing and going outside. It sounds like he's realized you are the leader and he's just waiting for you to tell him what's next. This is SO much better than having him run up to you with this toys when you're eating dinner or whine at the door just to play.

I think he sounds like a very well-adjusted puppy. I would be proud! :D

[Clair Taberner]

i second colleen :D

[Renee Premaza]

Hi Peggy!

I can understand your concern, although I'm not sure if there's even reason to BE concerned. It's possible that your dog has reached adulthood, and has developed enough confidence in you to be a good leader that he's totally relaxed in his environment. Have you done a lot of training with him? Is there good reason to believe that his life is pretty stress-free? How much exercise does he get everyday, and what form of exercise would that be?

Being a Mini-Schnauzer, I would expect him to be more active just by nature of his breed. Also, dogs that have allergies tend to be more "antsy" because they're uncomfortable due to the allergies.

When was the last time he had a THOROUGH veterinary checkup? I would recommend that you run some basic bloodwork on him (e.g., a CBC test, Urinalysis, and test him for Lymes Disease). I've had on occasion trained dogs that have Lymes, and have seen some depressive behaviors from them due to the achyness of their joints. Please check him out with your veterinarian ASAP.

Give us an update on what you find out with his examination. Good luck!



I am asking my question here, because I'm not sure where else to go with it. I have an almost 3 year old Mini-Schnauzer, I have posted in the Dog Food forum, because of his maybe allergies.
This is a totally different problem which may not be a problem at all, maybe just a compulsive worrier's paranoia.
My worry is this, he used to follow me around wanting attention or to play almost all of the time, like I could not do anything else. For the last few months it seems, he has gotten where he will just lay on the floor with his nose on his paws an awful lot it seems like he looks sad, sometimes he lays in front of the slider doors where he can see out and watches kids outside or birds or whatever, he seems happy doing that. He always responds to a "Want to Play"! or "Go Outside" or anything, but I worry that he is depressed.
He stays in his crate while I am at work, I leave around 8:30 a.m. come home at noon for 1/2 hour or so to go for a walk and go potty, get a little attention and a drink, and them I am usually back by 5:00, we then go for a long walk usually at least an hour. He doesn't seem to act sick or anything just not real active unless someone gets him going, once in awhile he will go get a toy and come to play.
Anybody have any thoughts on this?

[imported_Peggy Jensen]

Thanks for all the feedback. I have been dong a lot of training with him, because he seems to be a "give him an inch & he will take a mile" kind of dog. I don't think his life is very stessfull, it is him and I most all of the time, he has always stayed in his crate when I am not home and like I said he gets probably a good 2 hours of outside walking exercise and several play times, mostly run and fetch a toy and bring it back for a treat. He has had vet checks, CBC but not Lyme disease checking, which I think they get from fleas or ticks, since it is winter here he hasn't been exposed to that. He did have a few fleas back in the fall, but if he had gotten anything from that he would have been showing signs long before this right?
Any other info would be greatly appreciated, i.e. signs to look for if he is having something other than being a good doggie.
Thanks, Peggy Jensen

[Renee Premaza]

Hi Peggy,

If you've had ANY warmer days in your area during this winter, don't discount the possibility of Lymes. Besides, a dog can have Lymes for awhile before his symptoms become really noticeable.


Thanks for all the feedback. I have been dong a lot of training with him, because he seems to be a "give him an inch & he will take a mile" kind of dog. I don't think his life is very stessfull, it is him and I most all of the time, he has always stayed in his crate when I am not home and like I said he gets probably a good 2 hours of outside walking exercise and several play times, mostly run and fetch a toy and bring it back for a treat. He has had vet checks, CBC but not Lyme disease checking, which I think they get from fleas or ticks, since it is winter here he hasn't been exposed to that. He did have a few fleas back in the fall, but if he had gotten anything from that he would have been showing signs long before this right?
Any other info would be greatly appreciated, i.e. signs to look for if he is having something other than being a good doggie.
Thanks, Peggy Jensen