How emotionally attach can a dog be to it's owners?

Question

Can be seperated from them cause a dog to be depressed? Or will he quickly adapt to his new environment and family?

Answer 1

Dogs can be depressed for multiple reasons and they can have anxiety disorders, as well as separation anxiety.

Answer 2

They can get depressed, and they can suffer from seperation anxiety. My own dog has this. I boarded him alone at the vet's office to go out of town for a weekend and he became so agitated that he burst a blood vessel in his eye, had diarrhea the entire time, would barely eat, and became so nervous/vicious that they had to remove him from his crate by throwing a towel over his head after he bit an attendant. The vet recommended that I get a companion for him, so I adopted another chihuahua from the local animal shelter and he boards much better (though still not perfectly) when they're together.

While the shelter pup is just fine at being left with strangers or having someone dogsit, my original boy will bite, cry, and get physically sick if he's left alone in a strange place and sees me walking away. At home he's fine and dandy though.

Answer 3

Yes, both; depressed and afraid a dog can adapt (over time) only if the environment is caring and loving.

Answer 4

It is possible for a do to get depressed when his owner is away. Especially if the dog is all he has and has no other pets around for him. They become a part of the family in every way.

Answer 5

I think there will aways be a memory.. But can adapt to a new owner. But like people.. there will always be that "special" first dog, or owner.

Answer 6

We have a cocker spaniel who becomes severely depressed when her mum, and her 'god', packs a bag to go away on business. Ellie will try to remove things from the bag and try to put herself in it. She cries to herself on the sofa when she is gone, sitting in her mum's spot and sighing sadly. She is in agony if the bag is brought out until its out of her sight and she insists on sitting on it as long as it is anywhere she can see it. Once her mum is back she sticks to her like a limpet and is panic stricken if she cant go everywhere with her. She sits by the bath while she bathes and sits in the car while she rides her horses. She wont let the other dogs sit on her mum's lap or be closer than she is. She copes ok with me, but it is plain I am very much second best and her mum is who she needs and loves!

Answer 7

It depend on how close the dog and owner are. My mom has a dog, and when she went on vacation, all the dog did was cry. But as soon as she came back he stopped and was as happy as can be.

Answer 8

Molly, our lab, ADORES my husband. He works at gem shows on weekends a few times a year, and once I made the mistake of asking her, "Where's Daddy?" She sat at the front window for the rest of the weekend, waiting for him to come home. She'll lay her head on his lap and stare at him, like she's saying, "I love you Daddy." We got her from the Humane Society when she was 6 months old, but she never seemed to miss her old owners. We suspect she was abused by them, because at first when we reached over to pet her, she'd duck away.

Answer 9

I think they can get verry attached. like have you seen dogs that just follow thier owner aeverywhere?!? And i think it would get depressed.

Answer 10

They can morn themselves to death.. My Jack Russell won't eat for at least 3 days when I'm out of town. She can also tell when I am leaving, she gets my attention then turns her back to me.. They know more than most people give them credit for.