Skip to content

Just wondering - do dogs leave home to die?

Behavioral Issues
  • 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?

  • 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.

  • 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"…

Suggested Topics

  • 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.
  • Lap dogs?

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    6k Views
    wizardW
    On the couch Gossy either justs sits on my lap or curls up next to me; on the recliner she prefers directly in my lap. On the other hand, if I'm on the couch in the evening Teddy will slowly climb up onto my lap as if he thinks I won't notice then he'll curl up leaning against my chest and go to sleep! If Gossy is already in my lap, he'll try to squeeze in between :)
  • Its Me Or The Dog…..

    Behavioral Issues
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    8k Views
    hdolbowH
    i'm feeling your pain on this one. dan and i broke up a few months ago so i moved home and mia went from sleeping with rocky and maggie on the couch to sleeping in bed with me. if i'd go out at night, my mom, instead of crating her would let her sleep in bed with my parents. (because she cried and mom felt bad) then dad told mom he didnt want her in bed with them so mom would sleep in a spare bedroom just to keep her from crying in her crate! (typical grandmother.. she spoiled her rotten) Now dan and i are trying to work things out so i brought mia with me last night to stay over and he keeps maggie and rocky in the laundry room with their beds and they are content with that, but Mia was NOT having it. she sat at the gate and cried for a good 2 hours. They aren't allowed in the bedroom because he got new furniture, so she has to get used to it i guess.. Only time will tell i suppose.. but uggh that crying.. its enough to make you wanna pull your hair out. im hoping when the 3 warm up to each other again she'll stop..
  • There was a little dog…

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    4k Views
    J
    Thanks for your replies. I guess in the spontanaity of the moment I did as I do with my other dogs, a no and then a quick taking the thing away since I'm boss and I'm the owner of everything ultimately. I do believe Rowdy was not being the bad growling type bite – he took his front teeth and nipped at my arm, pinching it, but it hurt! I will try to work on the "leave it" command, since I taught that to my mom's poodle and it worked well. Rowdy is smart and is finally getting some of the house rules down. Though he's sneaky when he isn't resting beside you and you forget to watch him... :)
  • 0 Votes
    16 Posts
    5k Views
    tanzaT
    @jys1011: I feel your pain Pat..WILDER is the word!! Or maybe BANANAS…I'm like shoo dog shoo go away will ya!! :D :D Exactly!!!! I want to put up a not "stopping" sign!!!!
  • Leaving the House

    Behavioral Issues
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    6k Views
    DukeD
    Thought I should post an update here. The "BIG problems with Jack" thread brings to mind a posting here. About a week after I left messages, the Behaviorist called me back. They also do animal rescue, so they may have been pretty busy. Anyway - I spoke to Carolyn for about 20 minutes on the phone. She said she'd be happy to come over for a $95 visit, or I could take some instruction on the phone for free. Basically, she told me to do what Andrea initially advised. Put Duke on a thin, almost ribbon thin 10 foot lead with no hand loop. He is to have this lead on in the house at all times. That way when someone is coming or going from the house, the lead will be easy for us to step on and reel him in,so it's short enough for him to sit, and cannot lunge forward. We are to stay calm and quiet while asking Duke to "sit" or "down". She said with consistency, this will blow the wind out of his sails. But it will take quite some time because he has done the wrong behavior for a long time. We're still working on it. But, I think he's getting used to being stopped short with the comings and goings here.