November 2021.pptx

Why Is My Dog Sad?
The things which can make our dogs unhappy include:
GRIEF: Dogs are a social species. When
dogs lose a person or pet they were
closely bonded to, they go through a
process like grief, which can include
elements of sadness, depression,
increased anxiety and stress.
ARRIVAL OF A NEW PET OR FAMILY
MEMBER: Babies, puppies and kittens
all throw previously well-established
routines out of the window. Even a new
partner or housemate moving in can
change the dynamic between a dog and
their family. These changes in routine, or
the amount of attention they get, can
make a dog feel frustrated, or just sad.
LACK OF PHYSICAL OR MENTAL
STIMULATION: It’s not uncommon for
dogs to resort to destructive behaviors
like chewing or digging as an outlet for
unspent energy. All dogs are different,
and some react with sadness. This might
be the case if they can’t exercise
because they’re recovering from surgery.
ILLNESS: Lots of the signs of an unhappy
dog can be symptoms of a physical illness
too. For example, a dog suffering severe
joint pain from hip dysplasia or arthritis might
go off their food and lose interest in 10 exercise.
If your dog is out of sorts, arrange a
consultation with your vet to rule out
underlying medical causes.
MOVING HOUSE: Dogs are happiest and
most confident when they know exactly what
to expect from their environment and their
routine. Moving house can be very unsettling
for dogs. And finding themselves immersed
in an unfamiliar territory can make them lose
their spark for a bit.
LONELINESS: Your dog can also feel sad if
they suddenly have to start spending more
time alone. For example, if you get a new
job, your shifts change.
YOU’RE SAD: Finally, some dogs get sad
because they can tell that their owner or
another dog that they live with is sad.
How To Cheer Up A Sad Dog
Here are eight ways to restore them back to their happy selves:
Increase social contact
Just like us, being lonely can make dogs
unhappy. If you’re out for a lot of the day,
consider employing a dog sitter or using a
doggy day care to provide your pup with
some company. If your dog used to be
one of a pair, but their buddy has passed
away and you’re not ready to own
another dog just yet, look into dog parks,
or walking dogs for your local shelter.
Establish a routine
Dogs thrive when they know what to
expect next. If you can establish a
predictable daily sequence of meals,
exercise, training games, naps and
downtime together, it will give your dog
confidence that he knows what’s coming
up. And confident dogs are happy dogs.