does Pele need a friend?

[Peleke]

Pele is one year old. For most of this past year he grew up around my roommate's dog, but now that I moved out, Pele acts bored all the time. I play fetch with him and wrestle and play with him, but I can only do that so long each day. I don't know if I should get him a friend, or if he's fine with just humans. Also, he jumps around and scratches the carpet, and I have no idea what that means - if anyone is familiar with this, it would help.

[Christi]

Pele may be a little lonely now especially if he was close to the other dog. They do like the security of having another animal there especially when their humans are gone extended periods of time. You may need to get another friend for him. If it was me and I decided to get another animal, I would probably get a puppy. That way he doesn't feel threatened or intimated. Maybe you could ask your former roomate to rub a blanket on his/her dog (to get the dog's scent on it) and offer that to your baby(under supervison) and see how he reacts. It might be comforting to him. Good luck to you and I hope that everything works out.

[orinskye]

lol........ my moms dog scratches the carpet!!... she does this because she is trying to "fluff up" the carpet to lie down

[lickthestar]

I would guess that he jumps around and scratches the carpet because it's out of instinct. Dogs have an instinct to dig and hide things. Archie "digs" the carpet after I give him a treat...he takes it in to the bedroom and starts digging the carpet around it although the treat doesn't go anywhere. Then a couple of hours later, he comes in and eats his treat. My friend's dog always hides half his food and comes in later on to eat it. Very weird, but it's nothing I would worry about.

As for getting another pet, that's an option if you can, but you might also consider a cheaper alternative---take him out where he can meet other dogs. Sometimes if dogs are always with another dog, they tend to ignore the humans and may not socialize as well with humans. Also, being with the same dog all the time might tend to make them anti-social with other dogs because they develop a "pack" mentality. Some people find this a problem, others not. Depends on the dogs and the humans. Check this out, if you've got a second. http://warreneckstein.com/tips/secondpet.htm

But you might want to consider taking him to a dog run or get together with other dog owners and organize a little play group--they can bring their dog(s) over to your house and vice versa. We take Archie to the dog run to play with other dogs, and a few times a week, Zelda from next door comes over to play, and then Archie goes over to their house.

Plus, keep in mind that you just moved...it might be a temporary adjustment period. Again, you might want to check this out...http://warreneckstein.com/pettips_hitail.html

[iheartyorkies]

I would say the scratching thing is instinct as well. I saw something interesting on TV (Animal Planet probably) about the scratching. They also feel a need to clear the area of brush and even snakes! Their instincts are very strong even as a young puppy. Bo, who is three months old, scratches my bedspread (not my favorite behavior!) before he lays down. Also, he will scratch an area where my schnauzer has lain, possibly re-marking it?? Animal behavior is fascinating isn't it?

[coopersunshine]

My dog also scratches the carpet or the bedspread before he lays down. It's like a digging motion, it annoys me somewhat but i can't help but laugh because he look's too cute doing it. When he is finished scratching it, he will then smell it or stick his nose on it and then lay down. It look's like he is trying to fluff it up. It's just too cute!!!

[Peleke]

thank you all so much for the advice and resources. I'm becoming a quick addict to this site!

[bettyeanne]

Pele is probably just lonely for her friend. Toto misses our granddaughter who lives across the street from our home in Alabama ... she plays with Toto every day when we are there. We have noticed that if Toto hears her name, she gets all excited and looks out the door ... so, we "spell" her name because after a while and Kayla doesn't appear Toto seems sad!
As for the scratching and fluffing ... Toto does that too. When she naps or goes to bed for the night she has to have something to use for a pillow!! She doesn't stretch out like most all dogs I have ever been around ... she just has to have that little head propped on something ... usually me or my husband!! When she's napping alone she scratches around until she has a blanket puffed up to prop her little head on!!