How to help a dog cope with loss?

I am sure the dog is reacting to the loss because he misses his friend. But like all humans dogs have a greaving process and need help to understand life will go on.

I suggest take the dog to a dog park to allow him to interact with other dogs, Keep him involved as part of the family (ie going on walks, to the park, to pet stores ect)

I understand that the process is hard and takes time for everyone, remember dogs can sense fear, shame, sadness. Everything we feel they know we are feeling.

I'm not saying be happy go lucky and pretend it never happened - that wouldn't be healthy for anyone. Do, however, as I mentioned above get him out of the house if only for an hour or so to do somthing else.

Good luck with your baby and I'm sorry for the loss of your family member.

 Well, I'm normally not into anthropomorphizing, but I have found that it is important to explain to the surviving dog what has happened to his friend.  Somehow, when I do that, there is some understanding that takes place - I don't know why.  It's as if they are waiting for an answer, and even though we have a language barrier, they understand.  I've had dogs put down, and I've had dogs die at home, and I find that when the dog has died at home, the others "get it" immediately with one sniff.  But, the fact that they see their friend disappear and not come back is confounding to them.  They do eventually get over it much as people do, but it's hard on us to watch that confusion and sadness in them.  Time is the great healer.

My parents lost their Scottish Terrier at the beginning of the month and our Westie was a little traumatized by the experience (he was there when Cody died -- heart attack or something similar).  You could tell that something was different with Buddy; he would wander around the house "looking" for Cody.

We've helped him through the experience by giving him a LOT of extra attention.  Buddy got to start coming to work every day because we didn't think it would be fair to leave him home alone (he has never been an only dog).  I can't even believe this next part, but my parents started taking Buddy to bed with them!  Buddy has taken very well to this new routine and seems to have adjusted fine.  It took a couple of weeks for him to really settle, but now it's just his new life.

I believe that animals must grieve, just as humans must.

When Rascal's previous owner died, it took him about 4 months to return to normal-ish. What I found helped him the most was getting his mind off things - just like with people, I think, focusing on the present instead of on the past. Going new places, learning new things, playing new games, meeting new people... lots of new, fun adventures. In the meantime I just tried to coax him to eat as best I could - canned food, cooking some "human food" snacks, putting some broth in his water... it was a real struggle, but he got there eventually. He started playing a little bit about 3 months later, and was finally eating like a hound 4 months later.

Best wishes to you and your little one. 

You have gotten some very good advice.  I am sure it is not unlike how we feel, missing our friend. Normal greiving is usually about a year for humans.  And what works well for us is to get busy.  Sure we must cry and feel the deep loss, go through the phases, but it is something we all go through. 

Having a brother and sister pair of huskies from the same litter, I have thought about this.  They are only two years old, but it will be awfully hard for one to lose the other.  They are almost like one dog, never been apart from the moment their lives began. 

Sorry to hear of your friend's loss.

Thanks for the great advice everyone.  My friend and her family are obviously still pretty upset, but they've gotten Elliot (the remaining dog) to eat a little bit at least.  I was really worried about the poor boy when they said he hadn't eaten since the other dog had been put down.  I'm sure everything will get better with time, but I just wish there was something more I could do for them.  I know how it is to lose a dog and these two dogs had been together for years, never being without eachother.  It has to be such a change for all of them.  :(  Thanks again for the advice and kinds words.  I'll pass them along. 

 Pass along our condolences, too.  We've all been there:-(((

KarissaKS

I can't even believe this next part, but my parents started taking Buddy to bed with them!

Thats not un-usual. My goledn sleeps under the covers, and shares my pillow