#224 Helping Your Dog Cope With Loss and Change

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The house feels different when someone is gone—and your dog knows it. Not because they grasp death, but because the rhythms, scents, and routines that shaped their days suddenly vanish. In this heartfelt, practical guide, we walk through the quiet ways dogs grieve and the simple steps that help them find their footing again when absence takes over familiar spaces.

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Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_00 (00:02):
When someone in the family passes away, we tend to
focus on how the humans willcope.
But our pets feel that loss aswell, even if they can't
understand what happened.
So today we're going to talkabout how to help your dog
adjust when someone they lovedor even just someone who is a

(00:23):
part of their daily routine issuddenly gone.
I've seen dogs grieve just asdeeply as people, but it often
shows up in quiet ways.
Maybe they stop eating as much.
They pace the house looking forthat person, or they wait by the

(00:44):
door at the time that personused to come home.
And sometimes it's more subtle.
A dog that has always beenconfident becomes clingy, or one
that loved walks suddenly losesinterest.
One client told me that her dogsat in the window every

(01:04):
afternoon for weeks, waiting forher husband who had passed away.
And the dog wasn't beingstubborn.
She was simply confused andholding on to a pattern that no
longer made sense.
So what do you want to watchfor?
Loss of appetite or disruptivesleep.

(01:25):
Searching or waiting behaviors,you know, checking the door,
favorite chairs, changes inenergy, either withdrawn or
restless, and changes in housetraining or routine.
Clingingness or sudden avoidanceof certain rooms or objects that
belong to the person.

(01:48):
There could even be a lack ofpatience with other family
members or resident pets.
So what can you do to help?
Keep the routine steady.
Predictability gives dogs asense of safety when everything
else feels different.
And let them seek comfort.

(02:08):
If your dog wants to sleep onthat person's spot on the couch
or carry their blanket, that'sokay.
It's a way of self-soothing.
And keep engagement gentle.
Walks, sniff time, and puzzlefeeders can help relieve tension
without overwhelming them.

(02:29):
And talk to them.
You know, they're not going tounderstand your words, but they
understand your tone.
Calm, steady reassurancematters.
And watch your own emotions.
Dogs are emotional mirrors.
If you're crying, they'll knowsomething's wrong.
But if they also see you smileor laugh sometimes, they'll

(02:52):
start to relax again.
If there are other pets,remember they may comfort or
confuse each other, so be sureto supervise and don't assume
they'll grieve the same way.
So pay attention.
If your dog stops eating formore than a day or two or seems
deeply withdrawn or develops newdestructive or anxious

(03:16):
behaviors, it's worth callingyour vet or a behavioral
professional.
Sometimes grief tips intodepression or separation
anxiety, and early support canmake all of the difference.
But just remember, our dogsdon't necessarily understand
death, but they understandabsence.

(03:39):
They notice the silence, thefading scent, the missing
routines.
Helping them through grief isn'tabout replacing the person, it's
about rebuilding a sense ofsafety and connection and new
routines one day at a time.