Do dogs really get depresssed when you leave them at home alone?

Answer 1

Dogs are pack animals, and you are part or all of their pack. Your dog would never consider leaving a pack mate, and that is why they don't understand why we go away, and are always so thrilled to see us return, even if we're only gone a few minutes.

Answer 2

Sometimes. I have two Labs. One gets very worked up when left alone and the other, not so much. I have found that putting them in a crate during the day really helps. It gives them a place they know is their own and they feel really safe. There are some that think leaving a dog in a crate for hours at a time is cruel, but I can tell you that my pups love it. On a monday morning they usually can't wait to get in their crates to take a long nap and recover from the weekend.

Answer 3

No they do not feel Depressed. Dogs can not feel depressed. They feel separation anxiety. You are a pack be it a small pack but a pack all the same. Dogs are like wolves they are highly social creatures and the only time a pack member is left behind is to tend to the kids or if it is left to die. Being that you do not leave your dogs in charge of the kids they feel that they are being left to die at first. Also if the pack leaves then the dog is forced to fend for themselves and there is nothing more frightening to a dog than to be left alone. To say a dog feels depressed is the same as saying it feels remorse for killing another animal.

Answer 4

Some do. You have to remember dogs are pack animals & when part of the pack leaves & seperates it cause anxiety. Many dogs will display this anxiety in your house, chewing, deficating, howling, etc. Seperation anxiety can be treated with training or meds. I prefer training, it is an actual solution.

Many ppl mistake a tail wag as happiness, when it is actually a culmination of emotions, happy, anxious, confused all at once. It is a submission move, acknowlegding you are higher in the pack.

Answer 5

Some do! Some dogs have anxiety when their owners leave them alone. It depends on the breed of dog and the dog's individual personality. To curb this, you can get your dog a companion (another dog) or provide toys that engage the dog's attention. Some people choose to leave the tv or radio on to soothe their dog. Yes, there are videos for dogs out there.

Answer 6

Yes. I have a labrador that is a total mama's boy and he gets so upset when I leave. He will go searching from room to room to see if I'm still there. And if he thinks I've left for a long time he will get physically sick. I've left him for a couple weeks with my husband and he just mopes around the house. Poor baby! I never leave him completely alone because he gets really sad.

Answer 7

Yes, they sure do. My dog pouts every morning when I leave for work. She hides so I can't say good-bye to her and won't look at me when I find her. As wolves, they lived in packs and were never alone. My dog follows me from room to room and waits outside the bathroom for me to come out. Thank goodness she's forgiven me by the time I get home as I get the best greetings ever.

Answer 8

Some do and some don't. I have had eight dogs and only three of my dogs were depressed when I left them alone. All the others just go to sleep when I leave them.

Answer 9

I have personally seen one dog in my life that when it's master was going on a camping trip or an extended time away from home, that the dog would literally set off by itself and have a sad look on it's face. It was almost like the dog could sense that it's master was going away for awhile.

Answer 10

Some dogs are more sensitive to separation than others and may become depressed. Most become bored. And any dog will become depressed if it is neglected (left alone for extensive periods of time)