Is My Goldendoodle Depressed? Why Does my Goldendoodle Look Sad?

While dogs cannot express their emotions verbally, they can exhibit behaviors that are comparable to those seen in people who are depressed. You may have a case of doggy sadness on your hands if your veterinarian has ruled out other health issues.

Is my Goldendoodle Depressed? Your Goldendoodle may be depressed if you notice drastic changes that include having low energy, no excitement towards activities, change in eating habits, change in sleeping habits, exhibiting anxious or obsessive behavior, or showing signs of aggression.

Keep reading to know all the possible reasons why your Goldendoodle may be depressed and how to spot the symptoms from miles away, and what to do if your Goldendoodle is indeed having a rough time.

Is My Goldendoodle Depressed?

Although depression in dogs is different from that in people, it is still a similarly serious problem that needs your attention, and it is definitely something you should be on the lookout for in your dogs (as with other members of your family as well, whether they walk on two or four).

If you observe any of the following indications of depression in your Goldendoodle: poor energy, lack of enthusiasm for activities, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, nervous or compulsive behavior, or aggressiveness, your Goldendoodle is depressed.

While dogs are unable to communicate their feelings verbally, they can display behaviors that are similar to those found in depressed people. If your veterinarian has ruled out any health concerns, you may have a case of doggie melancholy on your hands.

If your Goldendoodle is generally a bundle of energy, eager to eat, play, and spend time with you, you may anticipate this to continue.

If your Goldendoodle seems sluggish, refuses to leave its kennel, or simply wants to sleep all day, it might be an indication that something is wrong.

There is frequently a significant distinction between relaxed and lethargic. Something broader and more serious might be going on if your pet isn’t eating, doesn’t respond when you call them, or no longer enjoys playing, strolling, or doing the activities they used to like doing with you.

How to know if your Goldendoodle is depressed, sad, or just tired?

The contrast between depressed, sad, and tired is usually noticeable. If your pet isn’t eating, doesn’t react when you call, or no longer loves playing, strolling, or performing the activities you used to enjoy doing with them, something more serious may be going on.

Depression in dogs manifests itself in several ways:

Withdrawn – the dog may show little interest in exercise, play, or participating in activities that they typically like.
They may be drowsy because they are sleeping more than normal.
Appetite loss– they may lose interest in food or their eating habits may alter.
Inability to settle – the dog may look restless, sleep poorly or deeply, or have other sleeping patterns that have changed.
Changes in behavior – the same emotional states that might manifest as apparent dog aggression. Depression can manifest itself in a variety of ways, depending on the dog’s nature.
Chewing, escapology attempts, heightened responsiveness, lack of toilet training, and even aggressiveness are examples of these behaviors.

Some examples of changes in behavior could be your Goldendoodle peeing in the house, trying to run away, or being suddenly destr u ctive. You can click the link of each of these behaviors to learn more about them.

Signs of depression in Goldendoodles

Ignoring playtime

Unfortunately, dog sadness is a very serious problem. A sad or melancholy dog may not have the same amount of energy as it formerly had, and its normal playing and exercise will not delight your pet as much. It’s possible that their favorite thing in the world was throwing a tennis ball, and now they don’t want to.

Leaving food

Dog sadness looks and feels like human depression. Just like you can lose your appetite when you’re depressed, your sad dog might not want to eat either. If your dog isn’t as enthusiastic about its favorite meal as normal, or even loses weight, it might be depressing.

Loss of enthusiasm for preferred hobbies

Because not every dog enjoys playing Frisbee or going for walks, lack of exercise may not be the sole symptom. The key is to observe whether your unhappy dog has an unexpected behavior change or ceases participating in other activities that it used to like.

For example, perhaps your dog waits by the door every day for you to return from work. It’s possible that your pet is depressed if it’s still moping in its bed after you get home.

Too much time indoors

Dogs want space to run about and may grow depressed if they are not provided with it. You would not feel fulfilled and depressed if you were kept indoors all of the time and only exposed to the outdoors in your immediate yard and around the block.

The same is true for dogs, so take them for long walks or to the park. Your pet may gradually regain its vitality as they begin to experience the independence they want.

Getting more sleep than normal

Because each animal is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all amount of hours of sleep that can be used to diagnose canine sadness. Just keep an eye on your dog if he or she is spending more time in bed than normal. If your 15-year-old dog used to sleep 14 hours a day and now sleeps 20, that’s a significant difference.

Experiencing a death in the family

You aren’t the only one who is grieving the death of a family member or another pet; your dog, too, is grieving and may experience a blue phase. You won’t be able to stop them from mourning, but you can soothe them and be sensitive to their needs. While your dog adjusts to the loss, give them extra hugs and goodies.

Being stranded at home

Your dog is undoubtedly lonely when you’re gone, so if your job requires you to be away from home for lengthy periods of time, your pet may cease leaping up to greet you when you return. Dogs are sociable creatures that aren’t satisfied with being alone for long periods of time. Hire a dog walker or request that your regular walker adds an extra walk to your pet’s routine.

Changing houses

If your dog has been acting strangely since you relocated, don’t be shocked. Change may be difficult for animals, and your dog may get melancholy while it adjusts to its new surroundings. Your pet should snap out of it and warm up to its new surroundings with a little time and attention.

Aggression that comes out of nowhere

When you touch a depressed dog, he or she may start ripping up the sofa or snarling. It’s not often the sad, forlorn basset hound face that comes to mind when you think about sadness. If your dog has always been violent, depression should not be your first concern, but a loving canine that suddenly snaps might be a sign that something is wrong.

Constant licking

Animals don’t simply lick themselves to keep themselves clean; they also utilize it to make themselves feel better. It’s not a common sign of dog depression, but it’s not unheard of either. If a dog has anxiety difficulties, he or she may engage in more compulsive-looking activities that are self-soothing, such as picking an area and licking it repeatedly.

What to do if your Goldendoodle is depressed?

First and most importantly is to rule out any possibility of a health issue, so make sure a visit to the vet is the first on your list; if it turns out your dog is completely healthy, here are some things that will help:

Treats – When you go on a stroll, bring some special snacks with you. Praise your dog generously and give him some of those goodies when he is playing or acting normally.
A brand-new toy – A new toy may make your dog happy in addition to diverting him.
A new acquaintance – Dogs are sociable creatures. If you truly can’t find time in your schedule to be with him, buying a new puppy or dog to keep him the company could be a good idea. Goldendoodles actually do better in pairs.
An Early Morning Walk – It will benefit your dog throughout the day if you can take him for a stroll in the morning while the sun is shining. Set your alarm a half-hour earlier in the morning if this is not something you do often.
Spend extra time with your dog – this time should ideally be spent walking outside, even if just for a short period of time and in a familiar place.
New encounters – Take your dog to a different location; if you provide your dog with enough diversion, exercise, and ideally a long snooze afterward, it may help.

As for treats, you can check out my guide to dog foods here as the treats recommended there are some of my Goldendoodes’ absolute favorites, and the same can be said for toys; Check out my guide to dog toys here.

Why does your Goldendoodle look sad?

your Goldendoodle may look sad, weary, and listless due to Infections such as parvovirus, distemper, kennel cough, and leptospirosis are the most prevalent causes of lethargy in dogs. Heart issues, liver disorders, diabetes, and hypoglycemia are examples of metabolic illnesses.

8 Reasons Your Goldendoodle looks so sad

Social group changes

Most dogs form deep bonds with their whole imagined “family,” and disruptions in this social dynamic can have a significant impact on canines.

Divorce, bereavement, children leaving home – or simply a shift in working habits – may all cause upheavals in the household. Dogs have no idea where their buddy or loved one has gone, and we can’t explain it to them either.

However, sadness isn’t the only thing that may impact a dog’s attitude. When you suddenly become less available to your dog, such as when you return to work after a break or start a new career, it may be devastating. They are completely reliant on you for company, protection, and affection, and they are acutely aware of your growing absence.

Environmental changes

Most dogs prefer regularity and are at their best when they are familiar with and confident in their surroundings. House transfers, construction projects, or significant home reorganizations can make your dog feel anxious, and you may notice changes in their attitude or behavior as they try to comprehend the changes and reclaim their routine and sense of security.

Phobias and fears

What appears to be dog depression is frequently a sign of a deeper behavioral problem. A dog suffering from noise phobias or separation anxiety, for example, might be in a continuous state of tension or worry, waiting for the next bang or the next time they have left home alone, even if they are not displaying any acute or visible indications of dread. Do you want to learn more about how to assist a fearful dog?

Boredom

It’s easy to focus on dogs solely during the few hours we exercise them each day, but for many dogs, it means up to 12 hours of waking time every day with nothing to do! This can cause significant boredom in dogs, particularly working breeds or types, which can lead to a variety of behavioral issues, one of which is obvious dog depression.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

a kind of depression that occurs during the season changes; This might be akin to the human counterpart, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or it could be due to the dog’s habit changing.

Our dogs have certain hard-wired requirements that we must be able to meet in order for them to be healthy and happy. One of the most important of these is physical and mental activity and stimulation. Not only that, but they require the appropriate amount of activity, which varies by breed and kind.

It can be difficult to provide dogs with the exercise they require throughout the winter, especially with the long, rainy winters we have seen in recent years. Dark mornings and nights, as well as muddy, rainy treks, may make taking the dog for a walk seem like a burden rather than a pleasure for many people, and as a result, many dogs are receiving less exercise or fewer walks than normal, and aren’t getting to do the things they genuinely like.

In other situations, owners are unaware of how much exercise their dog need or what sorts of activities would keep them happy. Because all dogs are different, determining what satisfies a dog’s hard-wired requirements might be the key to a happy dog. It’s the same as forcing someone who loves nothing more than yoga to exclusively run marathons! Yes, you’d be getting the workout you need, but you wouldn’t be having fun and would most likely be frustrated!

A loss of ability to accomplish the things they were carefully developed to do – or just the things they enjoy – can cause a slew of behavioral issues, some of which seem a lot like dog depression symptoms.

Poor training methods

All dogs should have some training so that they can have the freedom they need to be able to be let off the lead where it is safe to do so, and so they are not a nuisance or danger to themselves or others. How you train your dog – and how you relate to them day-to-day – will have an impact on their mood.

Reward-based training methods and handling improve the bond between a dog and their owner – but heavy-handed methods that rely on punishment can leave the dog feeling unable to succeed, resulting in a loss of confidence in their owner, and produce a state of learned helplessness which looks a lot like a dog being quiet and well-behaved but is actually an indicator of a very low mood state and chronic stress where it is far safer to do nothing.

Symptoms of a physical illness or pain

More than only mental and emotional elements contribute to low mood. Some medical conditions, especially those that cause discomfort, might affect a dog’s attitude, therefore the first step should always be a visit to the veterinarian to rule out any clinical reasons.

Personality

Canines, like humans, are unique. Some people are naturally effervescent and outwardly cheerful all of the time, while others are more quiet and self-contained yet just as happy. Know your dog – and do some study on what they could like doing to improve their life and mood – but also be mindful of their normal (resting) emotional condition.

How to cheer up a sad Goldendoodle?

Here are the things you can do to make your Goldendoodle feel a bit better:

Get him or her new toys
Use Treats
Make sure you serve him or her food he or she prefers
Increase walks
New friends
Try to engage him or her in activities to release negative energy
Don’t let him/her get bored