The Bond Between Dogs and Their Owners
It is widely known that dogs form strong attachments and emotional bonds to their human owners. Research shows that owners become an integral part of a dog’s social life and wellbeing (Payne, 2015). The dog-human relationship exhibits similarities to the bonds between human infants and their caregivers, indicating that dogs view their owners as family members and companions (Explained: How dogs emotionally attach to their owners). Dogs become closely attached to their owners through daily interactions like feeding, playing, training, and walking. This encourages the development of a secure and healthy attachment between dog and owner.
Signs of Grief in Dogs
Dogs form strong bonds with their owners and can experience deep grief when that person leaves or dies. Some common signs of mourning in dogs include:
Behavior changes when an owner leaves or dies. Dogs who are grieving may seem more clingy or aloof, have difficulty sleeping, search for the departed person, or wait by doors or windows expecting them to return. As per the American Kennel Club, these searching behaviors are a sign that dogs don’t fully comprehend their owner is gone.
Loss of appetite, lethargy, or lack of energy. Grieving dogs often lose interest in food, play, and other activities they previously enjoyed. They may seem listless or withdrawn. Weight loss is common due to reduced appetite.
Displays of emotional distress. Dogs may vocalize more through whining, barking or howling. They also exhibit signs of anxiety like pacing or panting. Some dogs shake, tremble or pant when distressed over an owner’s absence.
Do Dogs Understand Death?
It’s difficult to know exactly how dogs perceive the concept of death. As PetMD notes, “Dogs don’t assign meaning and complex emotions to [death]” in the same way humans do. They likely don’t have an abstract understanding of death being permanent or inevitable1.
However, dogs do seem to understand loss and changes in their routine when a family member dies. According to the AKC, while “We can’t understand how an animal understands or thinks about death…when someone in a dog’s life dies, [we can see changes in their behavior]” that indicate they understand the person is no longer present2. So even if dogs may not grasp the full meaning of death, they feel the absence of a loved one.
Saying Goodbye
Dogs tend to be very aware of changes in their owners’ normal routines. For example, when an owner starts packing suitcases, dogs may pick up on this visual cue that a trip is imminent. According to an article on ManyPets, “Your goodbye routine with your dog can set the stage for a relaxed time alone or a stressful experience as they anxiously await your return.” Some dogs seem to understand what these changes signify, and they may start acting clingy as the departure time draws near.
The apparent awareness that dogs have of upcoming trips or absences indicates they can anticipate when someone is about to leave for an extended period. While dogs may not completely comprehend the full meaning of “goodbye,” they can pick up on contextual clues that a departure is approaching. Their behavioral response of becoming more attached to the owner demonstrates an understanding that the person may not be returning soon.
Reacting to Departure
Many dogs have a hard time when their owners leave for trips without them. Some common behaviors dogs exhibit when owners depart include watching them pack suitcases, staying close to their side as departure nears, and following them to the door or car when it’s time to go (1).
Some owners have filmed their dogs’ reactions to capture their sadness at being left behind. One viral video shows a dog crying loudly in his crate when the owners head out for vacation (2). The dog howls pitifully once he realizes he will be home alone.
Other signs of distress include loss of appetite, lethargy, and destruction of household items while the owners are gone. Some dogs pace, pant excessively, or try to escape to follow their owner’s scent. These behaviors indicate separation anxiety triggered by the departure (3).
While sad, it’s important not to anthropomorphize dogs too much. Some behaviors are signs of distress, while others may simply reflect a dog’s curiosity about the packing process or excitement for the return. Understanding normal dog behavior helps identify true signs of an anxious separation reaction.
Coping With Absence
How well dogs cope with departures varies individually from dog to dog. Some dogs are able to quickly adjust to the absence of an owner or family member, while others have a much more difficult time coping with separation (Source).
Dogs that struggle with being left alone may display symptoms of separation anxiety like destructive behavior, excessive barking or howling, or inappropriate urination and defecation. These anxious behaviors are a sign that the dog is having trouble coping during the owner’s absence.
There are several ways for dogs to better cope when left alone for periods of time. Providing plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and affection before departures can help dissipate pent-up energy and anxiety. Leaving recently worn clothing or familiar toys with your scent can also help soothe dogs in your absence. Additionally, keeping arrivals and departures low-key without prolonged goodbyes can help prevent anxious clinginess. Training dogs to be comfortable alone through gradual exposure is an effective long-term strategy for easing separation issues (Source). With time, patience, and consistency, dogs can learn healthy ways to cope when owners are away.
Returning Home
Dogs commonly exhibit great excitement and joy when an owner returns after being away, even if just for a short time. This is evident through behaviors like jumping, barking, tail wagging, and eagerly seeking affection and attention from the owner.
According to an article on Newsweek, two dogs became extremely animated and overjoyed when their owner returned after just 20 minutes. The infectious excitement and exuberant greeting suggests dogs have some understanding of the reunion and significance of their owner coming back.
Dogs form strong bonds with their human families. As social animals, they seem to genuinely miss the company of their owners when they are gone. The effusive greetings dogs give upon an owner’s return, even from a brief absence, underscores the strength of attachment and loyalty in the dog-human relationship.
Losing an Owner
When dogs lose their owner, they go through a grieving process similar to humans. Dogs form strong bonds with their human companions and can experience intense grief when their person passes away. According to the AKC, dogs will look for their deceased owner by staying close to their belongings, waiting by the door, or going to rooms the owner spent time in (source). The loss of an owner is extremely hard on dogs.
Signs that a dog is grieving the loss of their owner include loss of appetite, lethargy or restlessness, and changes in sleep patterns. The dog may seem depressed, search for the owner, and wait by the door or at a window. It can take weeks or months for a dog to adjust to the permanent absence of their beloved human. With time and support, most dogs can move through the grieving process. However, it’s important for caretakers to be patient and allow the dog to work through their grief in their own way. Providing extra affection and maintaining normal routines can help comfort a grieving dog. But ultimately, dogs need time to process the loss of an owner on their own terms (source).
Helping Dogs Adjust
Dogs experiencing grief and loss often need support and comfort from their remaining family. Keeping a grieving dog’s routine as consistent as possible provides stability amidst the changes. Maintaining familiar walks, feeding schedules, play times, and rest periods gives the dog a sense of normalcy.
Giving the dog extra love and affection helps them feel secure. Gentle pets, kind words, longer snuggle sessions, and more one-on-one focus shows the dog they are not alone. However, be careful not to smother the dog if they seem to need some solitude and space.
If the dog is introduced to new owners after a loss, go slowly with the transition. Start with short, positive interactions in familiar environments before expecting the dog to accept new people into their home and life. Let the dog warm up to strangers at their own pace.
Dogs take cues from their owner’s emotions and behaviors. By staying composed, keeping a reassuring presence, and radiating calm, hope, and patience, owners can ease a dog’s anxiety during difficult adjustments.
Understanding Loss
Dogs likely do have some concept of loss, even if they don’t fully comprehend the permanence of death. Dogs form deep attachments and bonds with their human owners over time through daily affection, attention, walks, play, and care. According to a Quora response, dogs can absolutely feel depressed and mournful when separated from an owner they are closely bonded with.
According to research, dogs understand verbal cues and commands from owners very well. They react both to short separations and long absences. While they may not completely understand the concept of death, dogs do seem to grasp the idea of loss and separation from a beloved owner.
As social animals, dogs don’t like to be left alone for long periods. They depend on the presence of their human owners for security and affection. When a familiar owner disappears, especially permanently, dogs will go through a period of readjustment and grief. With time and care, dogs can adapt to loss, but it’s clear the absence of a close companion and caretaker affects them deeply.