Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Identifying Behavior Changes
• Part 2 of 3: Observing your dog's body language
• Part 3 of 3: Solving the problem
• Tips

Dogs, like humans, can also suffer from depression. This depression is usually the result of changes in their routines, such as the loss of a companion, a move to another home, or a new person in the family. However, do not confuse canine depression with symptoms of illness. This article will help you identify the main signs of canine depression. To get started, just start reading the first step.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Identifying Behavior Changes

1. 1 Think about whether your dog has become withdrawn. Most healthy and happy dogs are very friendly creatures. They love guests, as they can be stroked and can be walked with. The happy dog ​​will happily approach the guests and, possibly, take his favorite toy with him. This is the first step so that guests can admire the dog's skill.
   • However, when the dog is depressed, instead of running to the door and meeting guests, it can quietly walk away, curl up in some corner and fall asleep. If you approach the dog, he may make a faint wave of his tail, but then he will close his eyes and ignore everyone.
   • This change from sociability to withdrawal is a great sign that your dog may be suffering from depression.
2. 2 Watch the change from an active lifestyle to an inactive one. At first glance, it seems that happy dogs have almost infinite energy. For every kilometer you travel, your dog walks four, back and forth, and then back and forth again. He repeatedly asks you to throw him a ball, and your hand will get tired even before his enthusiasm dries up.
   • However, when the dog is depressed, it no longer lifts its ears when you take out its leash, and instead of running across the park, it crouches near your feet with its head down. When you stop talking to friends, your dog may sit down or even lie down.
   • This change from an active and energetic dog to an inactive and lethargic dog may indicate depression.
3. 3 Watch for changes in your dog's sleep and wake times. Happy dogs are usually very alert and curious. They love to sit on the windowsill and watch everything that happens on the street. Nothing happens in the garden or outside that your dog knows about.
   • But when the dog is depressed, he quits his post and does not even try to wake up in the morning. Instead of jumping on the windowsill, he curls up in bed and even the sound of children going to school does not arouse interest in him.
   • This change from alertness to frequent sleep is a sign that your dog may be suffering from depression.
4. 4 Be alert if your dog starts to refuse food. For the owner, this is perhaps the most troubling signal of all. Typically, your dog will follow you every time you go to the kitchen and, if you're lucky, will be full of food.
   • But when a dog is depressed, he can indifferently lick his favorite food to please you, and then just throw it on the floor. It's bad if your eating machine has thrown away its food, as food is usually a lot of fun for dogs.
   • Changing from a constantly hungry dog ​​to a dog that refuses to eat is a clear sign of depression.
5. 5 Observe a general lack of interest in communication. Usually, happy dogs love to be praised and will gladly do some trick or take out a toy, just so that you can reward him with a treat or pet him.
   • When a dog is depressed, he may look at you sadly and walk by when you want to play with him. As if there is nothing more offensive than balancing food on your nose.
   • This change in behavior, from ecstatic to “leave me alone,” often indicates depression.

Part 2 of 3: Observing your dog's body language

1. 1 See if the dog has a sad or sad expression on his face. When a dog is depressed, his upper eyelids may drop, his eyes look dull, and his mouth may be in a neutral position. Your dog doesn't want to make eye contact with anyone, not even you.
   • Of course, some dogs have "sad" eyes at their best times. This is due to drooping eyelids from birth, not depression, so use common sense when interpreting sad eyes as a sign of depression.
2. 2 Flaccid and unresponsive ears. When a dog is depressed, there is a lack of ear response to ambient noise. For example, your dog may not prick up his ears for the sound of things that would normally interest him, such as collar and leash sounds indicating a walk.
3. 3 The dog lowers its head. Depressed dogs usually lower their heads when standing or sitting. Lying down, your dog prefers to rest his chin on the ground and rarely raises his head in response to nearby activity.
4. 4 Take a look at how your dog is holding his tail. When a dog is depressed, he keeps his tail in a drooping, neutral position and does not wag it as willingly as before. When you encourage your dog to wag his tail, his movement becomes subdued and lethargic.
5. 5 The general position of the dog's body. When dogs are depressed, they usually stand passively with their head and tail down and almost unresponsive to encouragement. Your dog may look lethargic and not show interest in what is going on around him.

Part 3 of 3: Solving the problem

1. 1 Find out what caused the depression. A healthy dog ​​won't get depressed for no reason, so it's helpful to know if recent events have affected your dog's mental health. Dogs love routines, so the most common cause of canine depression is routine changes. Changes in routine that can trigger depression may include:
   • Stress: From a dog's perspective, stress refers to anything that prevents him from receiving the attention he needs.
   • The homebody owner who now goes to work.
   • New child or puppy in the family.
   • Sudden loss of a companion (human or dog).
   • Moving.
   • New family.
   • Overhaul of the house.
2. 2 Make sure your dog is not sick. If your dog is behaving strangely, then it is advisable to take him to the vet. Depression and illness often have similar symptoms and it is not always possible to distinguish between them, as usually a sick dog and a depressed dog refuse to eat and are reluctant to go for walks.
   • But in a sick animal, you can also observe additional physical signs that are absent in a depressed animal. For example, a sick dog may experience vomiting, diarrhea, coughing and sneezing, increased thirst, and urinary problems.
   • When a dog is depressed, he may not eat and be lethargic, but not necessarily sick.
3. 3 Reward your dog's positive behavior. The mistake that many owners make when dealing with a depressed dog is that they only fuss over them when the dog is behaving in an unusual way.
   • For example, if you start to fuss when your dog is not eating, you inadvertently let him know that he is doing the right thing, that he is not eating.
   • A better solution to solve the situation would be to put a bowl of food on the floor and ignore the dog until he decides to eat. When he starts eating, reward him with praise.
   • It builds up a positive attitude and helps your dog to get out of depression.
4. 4 Make your dog feel secure by maintaining a normal lifestyle. Try to get your dog back on track. This will help him feel confident and let him know that the world is okay.
   • The aforementioned life changes can cause depression in dogs, even if the change means that the dog will receive more attention than before (for example, losing a second pet). Too much attention can teach a dog that having depression is rewarded with more nurturing, which he certainly loves, but which also makes depression worse.
   • Therefore, you should not patronize him when he lies sadly in his bed. Instead, get him to get up and groom him for 20 minutes (who doesn't love being pampered?) Or go for a short walk with him. Only by receiving this inevitable (in other words, weak) tail wagging from him will you be able to stroke and praise him. This will help reinforce your habitual positive attitude.

Tips

• When looking for signs of canine depression, keep in mind his usual body language and habits. If the dog is usually uncomplaining, he may not get up and start meeting guests, so it cannot be said that this behavior is unusual for him and that there is cause for concern. On the other hand, a friendly and outgoing dog that refuses to get up can be depressed.