Dogs are emotional creatures and have a strong bond with humans. They also form bonds and friendships with other dogs. So, when you give your dog away to friends or family, it will be emotional for them. And this is especially true if the dog has only known the new owner for a short time before being given away.
This article takes an in-depth look at whether or not dogs get sad when you give them away because of their strong bond with humans.
Do dogs get sad when you give them away?
When you give away your dog, it can be emotional for them because of their strong relationship with you. Even if it has only known the new owner for a short time before being given away, there will still be some level of sadness.
If the dog spends most of its life with an original owner or one owner, in particular, the bond will be stronger.
However, the breed and personality of the dog will also affect how happy your dog is after being given away.
Your Dog’s Breed
Some breeds are naturally more friendly and outgoing than others. So they get along better with other dogs and people because of their personality type.
If a breed has a predisposition to bond closely to a single human, it will be far more upset when you give them away from their original or main owner. Breeds such as German Shepherds, Border Collies, Greyhounds, and Pit Bulls are likely to get very upset if given away.
Your Dog’s Personality
In general, independent dogs get used to being alone more easily than other types of dogs. So, if your dog is naturally independent, it is likely to be more accepting of being separated from you.
However, dogs that are always by your side and don’t like being left alone will find it harder to cope when you give them away.
But it’s not just the breed or personality of your dog that makes them happy after being given away – it also depends on how long the dog has known the new owner before being separated from their original owner.
If your dog only knows the new owner for a short time before separation, then there will be a lot of sadness. This is especially true if the dog has only known the new owner for 1-4 days before being given away.
In some cases, it may take them up to 4 months to feel fully comfortable when being given away.
However, you must go through a period of adjustment when giving your dog away – so you are not completely bereft of loneliness straight after giving your dog away. And, likely, they will still miss their previous owners even after several months have passed.
But this does vary depending on how strong the bond was between your dog and its previous owner.
How Strong Was The Bond Between Dog And Their Original Owner?
If you have spent a long time training your dog and establishing a strong bond, then they will be much more upset after being given away than if there was no attachment. So it’s important not to spend too much time with them when the new owners are around – so that your dog does not form an attachment to you when still near you.
But in some cases, the bond between your dog and the original owner will be extremely strong. If this is the case, then it may take years for them to get over the separation anxiety caused by giving them away. But eventually, they will get used to life without you.
After all, every relationship has to come to an end eventually – whether that’s between two humans or between two dogs.
Do dogs suffer when they are given away?
Do dogs suffer when you give them away? A lot of the time, they will – but it depends on your dog’s personality.
If your dog is naturally independent and does not form strong attachments to people or other pets, it is likely to be happier after being given away.
However, if they have a close bond with their original owner or main owner, then it may take several months for the separation anxiety caused by giving them away to fully subside. And in some cases, this could even last up to 4 years.
What breeds are more likely to get upset when being given away? Some breeds are more independent than others and can cope with being separated better. However, pugs, Labrador Retrievers, Great Danes, and Basset Hounds get used to being around people more than other breeds. So they are less likely to cope with being separated from their original owner well.
Signs of Depression In A Dog After
If your dog is sad after being given away, this can be shown through a variety of signs – from not eating its food to not wanting to partake in regular activities.
Dogs will either eat very little or stop eating at all when they are feeling stressed about something, such as giving them away. This loss of appetite happens for a few days before the new owners come and pick them up.
If your dog stops eating within 1-4 days after being given away, then it’s likely that it is upset about the separation from the previous home.
When dogs become stressed about an event, they may drink more than usual and pee outside the norm. If your dog does this within a week after being given away, then it’s likely that they are feeling sad about the separation.
Although it is normal for dogs to show signs of depression when they miss their previous owners, it is still important to go through an adjustment period with them – so they do not spend too much time mourning the loss of their previous owner. This will mean that you can still see them without upsetting them too much.
Is it cruel to rehome a dog?
In some situations, it is crueler to keep a dog than give them away.
It is hard on the pup when an owner does not have enough time to spend with their dog because of work commitments. With no other dogs or children to play with, your dog’s loneliness will be compounded.
Dogs need space and exercise. Aim to walk it for at least one hour every day. If you can’t take your pup out for this long, – even to the local park, or have a backyard, then it may be better to give it up and give them a better life with another family.
These are just some examples of why you should rehome your pet – but there are many reasons why rehoming may be better than keeping your dog if you cannot look after it anymore.
Dog Rehoming Tips
If you are rehoming your dog because of divorce, moving abroad, or wanting to live on your own, you need to make sure that the new owners understand how much work is involved in caring for a pet.
Try to rehome the dog with someone you know that can give them the best life possible. Although a new home for your dog might seem like a sweet solution, it can be traumatizing for both you and your pup at first.
If you are feeling sad about giving away your pet, then try to look on the bright side of things. You gave them a lovely home for many years – and now they get to live with someone that loves dogs just as much as you did!
Your dog is sure to remember all of the great times you spent together – even if it’s been a few years since they left you.
Do dogs get depressed when rehomed?
Dogs give unconditional love. They are born with this ability, and will never stop giving it to their owner until they die. It is up to us as the owners to return the favor by taking good care of them.
Some dogs might get depressed when given away for various reasons – but dogs are resilient creatures that tend to bounce back quickly from anything that may seem traumatic at first glance.
If you do not think your dog can cope with being given away, then it may be better not to place it in a new home yet.
Do dogs know when you’re about to give them away?
Dogs are intuitive creatures that are always aware of their surroundings. They can sense when something is about to happen, whether it be good or bad.
Dogs are not immune to the stress of being given away. If you keep them in their old home for too long, they could start to feel anxious because of the change coming – no matter how much you try and reassure them.
If your dog seems to be acting strangely before you give it away, then it may be wise to postpone the move until they have gotten used to things again.
Do puppies get sad when they leave their mother?
Puppies get attached to their mother after about two weeks of being born. If you separate them from their mom too early, then this could result in them having attachment issues. Puppies may act aggressively as a result of this and will continue to show signs of aggression.
If you want to give your pup away because it’s not yours, then that is fine – but they need to be re-homed with another litter. It is cruel to separate them from their mother or brothers before they are ready.
Although dogs miss their mother after she is given away, they do not get sad for long periods. Just like how we don’t think about food every day – your dog will eventually stop thinking about its mother as much as it used to.
Dogs are pack animals – and if they do not feel like they belong to your family, then they may act out or become nervous around strangers. This is because they feel like an outsider when separated from their bloodline.
If you must rehome a puppy under the age of 12 weeks, make sure that you put it with another dog so it can have some company while away from its kind!
Do puppies get sad when they leave their father?
As with a puppy, a father dog can be a big part of a pup’s life for up to three months. If you separate the two too early, then your pup could end up having attachment issues.
Although it is sometimes okay to rehome a male dog before six months old, make sure you introduce him to the new owner. This way they can start becoming friends, and will not mind when it comes time for them to be separated.
New owners must understand that puppies are just like human children, in that they get attached to their parents very quickly. When the puppy is given away too early, then this could cause a lifetime of anxiety.
On the other hand, if you have a father dog that is aggressive towards his pups, then it is best to rehome him as soon as possible. In this case, the pup would be better off without him. This will usually mean that they will not experience any long-term problems related to being given away from their father.