Can a dog be depressed? - Page 3

Hi Reno,

sorry to hear that you have lost one of your babies, it can be very hard on humans as well as dogs!

Dogs can certainly get depressed. When I unexpectedly lost a very active 4 week old puppy, her mother was morose for a week. She moped around the house and constantly went around looking for the pup - in their bed, under my bed and all of the pups favourite places in the house and yard. Then she would come over to me with a most miserable expression and lay her head in my lap. We were both devastated. I had to constantly change her environment by taking her out, to work, to training, lots of ball playing and swimming, to get her mind off her loss. Then 2 years later, when my 12 year old bitch passed over rainbow bridge, we went through it all again!!

Some dogs are just more sensitive than others I guess.

But I have seen dogs throw a party when one of the pack that they didn't like was rehomed - you could see the collective sigh of relief and a palpable lifting of the tension in the house.

I hope that you all get over your loss very soon.

Quote: I have one dog who shakes uncontrollably if my husband and I raise our voices at each other (of course, he should have gotten used to it by now, LOL).

This is why your dogs appear to be depressed. I don't have dogs that shake due to a minor stressor like your yelling.

Where I come from, this is called a "cull". However, I guess different strokes.

For once, I am going to partially agree with Jeff.  I have had dogs come and go due to death or sales and have never seen an ounce of depression.  It always amazed me that they could spend 8 yrs together and not even show a sign of anything.

I'm not saying that dogs don't have emotions, but I have never seen them give two spits when another kicks the bucket.