Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Just wondering - do dogs leave home to die?

Just wondering - do dogs leave home to die?

Behavioral Issues
  • Tayda_LennyT

    I'm thinking about this because of my friends dog that got hit by the car and returned home after several hours. I've talked to her since then and she said she thought that after he got hit, he probably wandered off to die somewhere, and then fell asleep for a while before waking up and limping home. Apparently he has a lot more bruises/scrapes than they originally thought and he has some tissue necrosis (death) which they are trying to take care of before resorting to surgery. I'm really hoping he pulls through this!

    Anyway, I have heard that cats will leave home and die away from their homes… wondering if dogs are known to do the same thing? What is the purpose of this behavior anyway?

    –--------------------------

    Michelle

    0
  • DukeD

    I've wondered the same thing. Why do they go off away from the home to die? I know that an animal never wants to appear weak even when injured in a hurd - it's like a death sentence by the others - I think because they get rid of the weak to keep the hurds strong for survival.

    Jill

    0
  • BDawgB

    I know our family dog growing up made several attempts to go off as the end grew near.
    It was very sad. But I think there is something to that survival of the fittest thing- that animals accept their fate easier (and dare I saw with more pride) than we as humans do. I don't think they see death as this "terrible ending"…

    Miles & Lexi's Mom

    www.stelladot.com/barrick

    0

Suggested Topics

  • fjd89F

    My dog bit me.

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    8k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    :::Note: I’m not a professional trainer, I have a degree in psychology and im a teacher; a dog is like a 2-4 year old. Every dog is different though, maybe I’ve just gotten lucky, but what I’ve been doing has been working for me; maybe it will for you.::: LOL, not luck... good common sense. We do basic training to get solid responses in controlled environments, which gives a good base for expanding it to other situations. Like eeeefarm, I don't thing animal aggressive dogs need to socialize with strange dogs. I keep them separated. For the unexpected, working at home on basic commands (Leave It!, "look at me" to focus on you and understand the other dog is off limits, solid 100 percent down-stay) can help you avoid your dog getting revved enough to bite. That means you have to stay on top of things, change directions if necessary, and be firm and loud in asking others to not approach with their dog. Training is wonderful bonding, and it exercises their brains. http://www.clickerlessons.com/index.htm
  • farabuttoF

    Aggression towards other dogs

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    1 Votes
    8 Posts
    8k Views
    farabuttoF
    @DebraDownSouth Thanks Debra, you've given me a lot to think about. I think I'll start immediately with the "leave it" training at home and then get in touch with some trainers/behaviorists in my area. I'm not expecting any miracles here but, like you said, even just learning to ignore other dogs would make such a difference.
  • MswinaM

    Dog Training

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    4k Views
    eeeefarmE
    What type of training are you interested in? Is this a housebreaking issue, obedience problem, or some behaviour you want to discourage? Since you have posted in behavioural problems, I assume you are having some difficulties with something. If you are more specific it might be easier to point you in the right direction, i.e. to an obedience trainer or an animal behaviourist.
  • K

    Dog to dog greeting aggression question

    Behavioral Issues
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    6k Views
    S
    I will take a bit of time, but it does work. Please let us know how it goes.
  • tanzaT

    Whole Dog Journal

    Behavioral Issues
    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    1k Views
    No one has replied
  • BettawhippetB

    Dog agression?

    Behavioral Issues
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    8k Views
    W
    my dog plop herself down when she sees another dog or person. I believe she does this in play.