Is your puppy giving you those puppy dog eyes? Looking sad feels like a pastime for some dogs, trying to get the sympathy vote, but what if they actually are sad? How can you tell if your dog’s not coping OK and feeling pretty blue?
In this article we’ll be filling you in with why does my puppy look so sad, do some breeds look sadder than others, do dogs have feelings, how to tell if your dog is sad, as well as our tips on how to make your dog feel happy.
In the Zigzag app, we have a complete training programme for you to teach your puppy to be the coolest kid in town. We don’t just focus on obedience, we also look at life skills like home alone, how to get your puppy to sleep at night, toilet training and much more. You won’t be alone either, our team of professional dog trainers is on hand 24/7 to help you via our in-app chat.
Why does my puppy look so sad?
Your dog may look sad because they are worried or scared of something, because they’re in pain, or because they’ve moved to a new home and are missing their mother and littermates. Sometimes a sad looking dog is just a bored dog, or one who’s resting and actually quite content! Don’t get sadness and aggression mixed up though! Find out the difference here!
For other dogs their face shape and confirmation can make them look like they’re down in the dumps.
Do some breeds look sadder than others?
Yes it’s been a long time since dogs were domesticated and through selective breeding, we’ve created dogs who look like they’re sad. Examples of this are many of the brachycephalic breeds like Boxers and French Bulldogs, and also Basset Hounds and Shar Peis.
Do dogs have feelings?
Yes, dogs definitely do have feelings. Dogs can experience a huge range of emotions much like humans including fear, frustration, panic, and grief. It’s also possible for a dog to feel anxious or depressed.
You can read more about dogs being sentient beings in our ‘about us’ section on the Zigzag website.
How can I tell if my dog is sad?
Dogs communicate a lot about how they are feeling via body language, so it can be quite clear if they are feeling sad or worried by the way they hold themselves, or particular behaviour that they do.
There are other signals that your dog may be feeling sad, here’s how to tell if your dog is sad:
Not eating their food
If your dog suddenly stops eating, or shows little interest in their food which they previously liked, then this could be a sign they’re feeling blue.
Read our guides to puppy nutrition and how much a puppy should eat to learn more.
Whining or crying
Excessive vocalisation is a sure sign of distress, there can be various underlying emotions which can make your puppy cry or whine, one of which can be that they’re feeling sad.
Sleeping more than usual
Being lethargic, sleeping a lot more than usual, or not having any energy can also be a sign of depression in dogs.
Hiding
If your dog is hiding away out of sight, they might be scared, but it might also be that they’re sad and don’t want to be around people.
Cowering or tucked body language
If you notice your dog is cowering or making themselves small, this can be a signal that they’re frightened and sad.
How to stop my dog from being so sad?
To stop your dog from feeling so sad, there are some changes you can make to their daily lifestyle that will help to boost their mood.
Feed your dog the right foods
Nutrition has a powerful effect on your dog’s mental health, so make sure you’re feeding a balanced diet, and the right amounts. Foods high in tryptophans like Turkey, as well as feeding your dog a variety of foods may also help to help your dog feel less sad.
Protect them from stressful situations
Stress can make your pup sad. Different things will be stressful for different dogs, it might be that they don’t like being home alone and that’s making them sad, or they might have sound sensitivities like firework phobias.
Have a cat that seems to be terrorising your pup? Read our full article on how to introduce a puppy to a cat for help!
Spend quality time together
Your dog probably loves to spend time with you, so hang out together, give them pets where they like to be stroked and just enjoy the company of one another.
Do positive reinforcement based training
Positive reinforcement training is great to make a dog feel like they have agency, control and leaves them satisfied that they have accomplished something. Teaching them a new skill like tricks, or agility can help to promote all round happiness in your dog and will help boost their mood.
Play games and puzzles
Do training games with your dog, or sit and work out food puzzles together, you can also teach them to fetch! Being silly is just fun for everyone really.
Take them on doggy play dates
If your dog is social and enjoys the company of other dogs, then meet a friend with a dog and go for a dog walk together. Your dogs will have fun exploring the environment together, and you can get your mood boosting by having a chat with your friend too. A win all round.
Make sure your dog gets enough sleep
Puppies especially need a huge amount of sleep, and dogs will get stressed and grouchy if they don’t sleep enough. Give them a cosy bed and a nice blanket they can dig and scuff up to make a little nest for the perfect night’s slumber.
Give them a reliable routine
Dogs like predictability and understanding what comes next in their world helps them to feel safe and secure. Create a day-to-day schedule, so they know when meals, walks and playtime are coming.
Be aware of their developmental periods
As your puppy or dog grows up they will go through various developmental periods like fear stages, and depending on if you have a male or female dog then seasons, and surges in hormones. This can make female dogs sad and blue, and male dogs quite angsty and confused as their testosterone goes up and down before it settles.
Understanding if your puppy is sad, ill or if they’re just having an off day is an important part of being a pet parent. Dogs have emotions much like humans, and they do feel sad at times due to various reasons, many of which you can help them with. Some dogs are bred to look sad, and in fact dogs only developed eyebrow muscles as a result of domestication. There’s a fun puppy fact for you!
If you think your dog might be bored, then check out our article on how to tell if your puppy is bored, or if you just need to find some fun things to do, then consider teaching your puppy to swim, playing training games, or teaching a new skill or dog sport like agility.
For more amazing puppy and dog related content including a full training programme, download the Zigzag app. There’s also a team of professional dog trainers on hand to talk you through things, so no need for you to suffer those puppy blues on your own.
