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I was interested in the entire idea of meeting their needs. I think this is something I just did with a couple of my clients. I have a client who had two boxers and the female unexpectedly was suffered from cancer and had to be immediately put down. it was very quick and took us all off guard. The male although not a littermate was very bonded with her and has pretty much never spent time alone. We had to figure out how to get him through it with them leaving the house for work after the first few days. About a year ago they stopped crating them so they were used to run of the house and were well behaved.

They decided to crate him the first few days and he was also on Trazadone because he was looking for her and manic. After the first few days they were able to gate him inn the bedroom. He was calming down and I was visiting twice a day as well. Then they moved the gate out to the hallway giving him more space. That’s when it got interesting. He could see the rest of the house and he was attacking the gate. He was much calmer at this point and not on the trazedone. I know this dog well and have been caring for both of them for 3 years.

I pointed out that from his point of view Ruby was gone and his freedom was also taken away. I thought since he was only messing with the gate and nothing else (there were camera’s) that he was sending a message telling us he wanted his run of the house back (enrichment). He loves looking out the window.

We all agreed to give it a try the next day and I was ready to head over earlier than scheduled if there seemed to be a problem. It worked he was behaved and so very happy. He was prancing on our walk and so happy. Jax is adjusting so well now and figuring out life without his sister Ruby.

This was the day I watched this video and it brought some of our thought process into clear view.