Question:
I have a beagle who is a year and a half old. We just had a baby 3 months ago and ever since we brought the baby home my dog seems depressed. He is great with the baby but he just looks very bummed out and not really in the mood to play ever. I try to give him as much attention as I can but he doesn't seem to respond. Does anybody have any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

Answer:
My Golden was depressed when my husband died and nothing I was doing seemed to help either so I found a dog behaviourist who takes dogs out for 2 hour wilderness walks - there can be up to 16 dogs at a time. They all run in a pack and just do what doggies do - run and play and have a whale of a time. Bobby picked up with this - he went out once a week - he would come home dirty and tired but much happier. He loves it so much that I still send him out once a week - and this is a year and half later!

Answer:
Jaboze ~ welcome to our forum and congratulations on your new addition.

Dogs generally respond to MASSIVE changes in their environment in these ways, either by retreating or by destroying and by classic passive-aggressive tendecies

Happily your dog has accepted your baby. I assume you are on Mat leave ~ is there an opportunity for you, the baby in a body holster (please don't use a carriage ~ I'll describe that later if you like) and your beloved beagle to go out on a loooooong hike?

If there were times that your Beagle was off-leash, please don't ignore those ~ they are very importnant to your dog.

Love Beagles ~ my very first dog, and memory of a dog.

Answer:
[quote=jaboze;373014]He is great with the baby but he just looks very bummed out and not really in the mood to play ever. I try to give him as much attention as I can but he doesn't seem to respond.QUOTE]

Have you tried keeping a log around the times before the dog becomes playful, or when he becomes depressed? This can sometimes when a new member is introduced to the family. Weather it be depression, or aggression, some dogs will react. Beagles are a funny breed as they will often just mope instead of looking for attention.

I would suggest including your dog in FUN activites that involve the baby. Taking the dog and the baby for a walk to the park is a great start, or even allowing the baby to be part of the dog's playtime, by bringing her (him?) outside with you in her stroller, while you and the dog play. If your dog knows how to bring you things, you can teach it how to bring the baby's bottle (keep it sanitary!), or even telling your dog to lay down and stay while you change babys diapers (in the room, so he's included).

Remember that dogs love schedules and routines, and this baby has seriously disrupted life as he knew it. Including him when the babys awake is a good start, and even including him in your quiet time when the babys asleep will help. Invite the dog to nap with you (if you allow it), or teach him a new trick while you're doing household chores. Hiding toys or treats so he has to find it is a good one to keep him busy (teach find it first, if your dog doesn't understand the game).

The trick now though is to make everything fun, and to make you appear much less "bossy". No dog is going to listen to it's owner if all the human does is shout commands at it all day long. If he knows you're in charge, you'll be able to get away with pretending to be submissive during play, and just being downright FUN. Your dog will have fun and hopefully start to brighten back up, and then when it's time for you to be in charge, you can say "Stay!", and your dog will do it with a smile on his face.

Good luck!

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