IS MY DOG SAD?How to tell and What to do.

IS MY DOG SAD? [How to tell and What to do]

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We recently adopted an adult poodle( 3 yo) . After a few days, we realised he seemed sad looking. I did a lot of research and here is what I found out.

My question was, “Is my dog sad”? Yes, that’s correct. They do, without a doubt. Dogs, like people, are highly sensitive creatures, and a multitude of factors can cause their emotions to go out of whack. 

Despite the fact that dogs have a reputation for being rather stable mentally, it is entirely possible for your pooch to be sad, blue, or even a bit melancholy at any time.

Your bond with your dog is very unique. Your pet provides you joy, comfort, and friendship, and he or she always seems to sense when you are unhappy or ill. 

As a devoted dog parent, you want to instil your beloved pet the same sense of intuition, security, and comfort. That is why it is so heartbreaking when your dog looks up at you with their eyes wide open and their head between its paws.

Why do dogs appear to be depressed?

Many people debate if it’s a matter of perspective, evolution, or whether a dog is truly unhappy. 

Desperate to provide joy to your dog’s life, you may become anxious that there are potential health risks or that this is an emotional reaction to a change in your household.

More significantly, you may be wondering if their sorrowful expression is indicative of a health problem or only an emotional reaction. 

Continue reading to delve into some of the answers.

Why Does My Dog Look So Sad?

What is it about my dog that makes him look so sad?

Researchers believe that the traditional sad dog face has more to do with evolution, communication, and connection than with a dog’s mental well-being. 

If you see your dog’s huge puppy eyes occasionally, you might wonder why they are looking so depressed.

Depressive symptoms in dogs, on the other hand, are usually less obvious. Keep an eye out for any persistent changes in behaviour and think about what could be causing your dog to be less than joyful.

The relationship you have with your dog is one of the most essential variables in determining his mental well-being. 

Find activities that you and your pet like doing together and schedule time for them each day. 

Allowing plenty of time for play, exercise, and petting sessions can help you guarantee that you are doing all necessary to keep your dog happy. 

Consult your veterinarian or a canine behavioural specialist for further information about dog sadness and depression

Dogs get depressed for a variety of reasons, but what exactly causes this?

When a dog is unhappy or depressed, their reasons for doing so may be as unique as their human counterparts. Dogs, on the other hand, maybe depressed. 

Dogs may become depressed for a variety of reasons, but there are a few frequent triggers to keep an eye out for. 

Depression is likely to be the cause of your dog’s symptoms if he is going through any of the changes outlined above. What’s up with your dog’s sad expression? 

Here are some possible explanations.

Training approaches that are inadequate

It is recommended that all dogs get some kind of training so that they may have freedom.

They need to be able to be allowed off the leash where it is safe to do so while also ensuring that they do not become a nuisance or a threat to themselves or those around them. 

The way you teach your dog, as well as the way you interact with them on a daily basis, will have an influence on their mood.

Heavy-handed methods that rely on punishment can leave the dog feeling unable to succeed, resulting in a loss of confidence in its owner, and producing a state of learned helplessness. 

This appears to be a dog that is quiet and well-behaved but is actually an indicator of a very low mood state and chronic stress, in which it is far safer to do nothing. 

Reward-based training methods and handling improve the bond between a dog and their owner.

Mourning at the loss of a dear one

Dogs, too, are capable of mourning. Depression in dogs may occur if the dog’s owner or a close companion pet dies. 

Do not be alarmed, though, if you do not experience any of these symptoms after a significant setback. 

Dogs are not all the same when it comes to mourning. In order to make you feel better, one of your dogs may go around the house sobbing, while the other gives you extra doggy kisses.

The Big Move

We moved to a Bigger House this year after we sold our property in Melbourne. Our cavoodle pup seemed sad to me after we moved house. 

 Dogs, like many of us, have a tendency to stick to routines. 

A new home with a larger yard may not be enough to satisfy your dog’s need for old bone hiding spots. 

To put your mind at ease, you may be certain that your dog’s depression is not going to continue long.

Simply said, they have this personality.

All canines, like all of us, are unique, and special and have different Personalities.

Some dogs are naturally effervescent and exude joy all of the time, whilst others are more quiet and self-contained, yet no less delighted in their lives. 

Be familiar with your own dog’s nature and do some research on what they could like doing to improve their quality of life and their mood.

Also be aware of what their typical resting emotional state is. For Instance, our Cavoodle is a naughty & Cheeky little boy and our poodle seems a bit shy and Introvert.

Your Pooch is Bored

Even while it’s simple to pay attention to dogs just during the few short hours a day that we are exercising them.

However, for many dogs, this translates to upwards of 10 uninterrupted waking hours a day, every day with nothing to do! 

It is possible for dogs – particularly working breeds or types to experience acute boredom, which may manifest itself in a variety of behavioural disorders, the most notable of which is apparent dog sadness and depression.

A New Member at Home

As soon as you introduce a new person into your life, you may notice a shift in your dog’s demeanour. 

Your dog may become reclusive because he or she is envious of how much time you spend with this new person. 

Dogs might get depressed when they meet a new human for the first time.

A BRAND-NEW pet FRIEND!

Pet ownership may have an effect on your dog’s attitude in the same way that adding a new family member does. 

This new pet may cause anxiety and depression in your pooch.

In this case, too, it might be a short-term fix. 

As a result, your dog’s mood is likely to improve as a result of the new pet.

YOUR OWN Sadness & Sufferings

Many pet owners don’t even think about this point, yet dogs can sense human emotions. 

Empaths are in fact, real people. Dogs are sensitive to our moods and may mirror our feelings. 

A study conducted at US University indicated that the majority of canines were able to match a person’s voice tone with the mood shown in their photo. 

They can tell whether we’re furious, sad, or joyful just by looking at us, and they’ll adjust their behaviour accordingly.

CHANGES IN YOUR WORK SCHEDULE.

More than simply sleeping patterns might be affected by taking on a job that requires you to work long hours. 

Your dog will miss his normal 7 a.m. stroll if you switch shifts from the day to the night.

It doesn’t matter if he’s going out at the same time every week; he’ll always meet new people. 

My Partner takes our dogs for walks everyday morning after he drops off our daughter at school.

Some days, he is unable to take them as he would have some early morning Office meetings and on these missed stroll days Our dogs seem to look sad.

There is a tremendous difference in a dog’s perspective when they go along a familiar path at a different time of day!

Ownership of a new home or a temporary residence

Sometimes, pet owners must find new homes for their furry children.

When it’s only a short-term scenario, like a vacation. 

When it comes to dogs, they don’t seem to be able to tell.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re gone for an hour, five days, or the rest of the time. 

Unless you return, your dog is likely to grow reclusive in his new surroundings.

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR DOG IS SAD

All of this being said, canine sadness is a genuine condition. Depression in dogs manifests itself in a manner comparable to that of depression in people. 

Dogs who are depressed may display the following behaviours:

• Having less of an appetite
• Overeating and excessive licking, particularly of the paws
• Disinterest in or lack of interest in activities such as walks, playing, and/or other formerly enjoyed pastimes
• Sleep deprivation or disruption in sleep patterns
• Excessive attachment to you or another member of your family
• On the Extreme, hiding from you and your family
• Destructive actions that appear out of nowhere

Accidents occurring within the home Signs such as these may suggest that your dog is in discomfort, is suffering from a medical condition, or is suffering from severe melancholy. 

Please consult your veterinarian if you see any of these indicators persisting for an extended length of time.

When should you seek assistance for your dog’s depression?

If your dog’s attitude or behaviour has changed abruptly and you haven’t been able to determine why this is occurring, take him to the veterinarian to be checked for clinical reasons.

Once your dog has been given a clean bill of health, you should meet with a qualified and experienced behaviourist who can examine any behavioural changes or difficulties and assist you in improving your dog’s mood and quality of life overall.

You should now be aware of the indications of dog depression and how to determine whether or not your dog is depressed. 

THE MOST COMMON SIGNS OF SADNESS IN DOGS:

Lost Enthusiasm: A dog that has lost his or her enthusiasm for walks, treats, or fun may be a melancholy dog. Apathy can manifest itself in several ways.

Stress-Induced Sleep Changes: Sudden changes in sleep (increased or decreased sleep, worse quality sleep) might signal that your dog is depressed, or that there is a medical problem that needs to be addressed.

Not happy with his Excessive Grooming: Dogs are unable of distinguishing between physical discomfort and emotional suffering, therefore he might be attempting to “fix& Change” his mood by licking himself.

Changes in Appetite: Has your dog’s appetite changed? Has he grown ravenously hungry or has he become uninterested in food for no apparent reason? He might be depressed.

Intimidation: Your dog’s refusal to interact with others, particularly people, is a certain sign that something is wrong with him.

What does a sad Dog do?

CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR AND EMOTIONAL STATE

Pay close attention to your dog’s behaviour in order to determine whether or not he is depressed. 

Any unexpected changes in behaviour or mood might be a clue that something is amiss with the person in question. 

However, there are certain signs you may watch for in your dog’s behaviour that virtually certainly suggest that he is suffering from depression. 

And even if it isn’t depression, it is still a serious condition that has to be dealt with.

If your dog exhibits three or more of the symptoms listed above, you may be quite certain that there is a serious problem.

HIDING from you

If your dog doesn’t appear to be spending much time with you and your family, this might be an indication of sadness. 

Dogs are group creatures, so having a supportive family is essential. It is never a good sign when someone withdraws and begins to spend more time alone with themselves.

CHANGES IN APPETITE

A sad dog may refuse to eat or may consume food as if her life depended on it. 

Everything is dependent on the dog. Again, it’s always advisable to keep an eye out for abrupt and/or dramatic changes in appetite while dealing with this scenario.

Always sleeping! Yawn

The average adult dog sleeps around 12 to 14 hours per day in a 24-hour period of time. 

Puppies sleep between 18 and 20 hours a day, therefore it would be difficult to observe a significant rise in this area. 

If your adult dog, on the other hand, begins to sleep like a puppy, he may be suffering from depression.

Excessive LICKING of THE PAW

Your dog’s constant licking may be an indication that he or she is depressed or unhappy. 

Keep in mind that there are other physiological causes for your dog to bite at her paws, such as bacterial infections, eczema, joint discomfort, and dry skin, that she may be experiencing. 

However, if your dog is licking his paws and exhibits the other indicators on this list, it is possible that he is suffering from depression.

HOW CAN YOU RESTORE HAPPINESS TO YOUR DOG’S LIFE?

If your dog seems to be depressed, the very first thing you should do is contact your veterinarian. 

A complete veterinarian assessment is required to confirm that your dog’s behavioural issues are not the result of an underlying medical condition that has developed. 

Ideally, you should share all relevant information with your veterinarian regarding your dog’s recent behavioural changes (after all, no one knows your dog’s quirks better than you!) and consider having a few diagnostic tests performed to rule out any common, curable diseases. 

Your veterinarian may be able to propose some simple modifications to your daily routines that will most likely assist to alleviate your dog’s unhappiness. 

It’s critical that you attempt to determine when the symptoms first appeared so that you can try to determine what caused them to manifest themselves. 

If the loss of a second pet, for example, has caused your dog to become depressed, it is possible that he is just lonely. 

Getting a new pet or going to the dog park more often to mingle with other dogs might easily address the issue. 

Whenever your dog seems unusually lively and cheerful (tail wagging!) it is a good idea to praise him and give him goodies to encourage him. Help your dog to take care of himself!

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