Do Dogs Get Sad When Rehomed? Real Stories and Expert Insights

If you give your dog away after keeping it for a long time, does it get sad? Today, I'd like to dive deep into this much-talked-about topic.

Firstly, let's hear some real-life experiences from netizens.

Netizen A shared:
"Dogs are incredibly smart, with an amazing memory. My little dog Paul was originally my friend's pet. When he was nine months old, he needed more care due to illness, so my friend reluctantly entrusted him to me.
As I took care of little Paul, we built a strong bond. He relied on me so much that he didn't want to be apart from me for a moment.
When his former owner visited us, Paul completely ignored him, as if their past never existed."

Netizen B said:
"My dog was also a gift from a friend. When he came to our home, he was just over a year old. He was shy and timid, often hiding under the bed and refusing to come out.
After a few days of getting used to it, he gradually let go of his guard. He has a gentle personality and is friendly to everyone, even willing to accept strangers' petting.
However, when his original owner came to visit, he barked non-stop. Once he left, he reverted to his usual gentle self. Clearly, he emotionally remembers his past experience."

Netizen C commented:
"My dog was once a very clingy little guy.
But since he came to my home, he always avoids me, fleeing whenever I approach.
In the first few days, he even protested by refusing to eat, expressing his dissatisfaction and defiance."

Netizen D sounded a bit helpless:
"Not just giving away, even temporary boarding can be a challenge for dogs.
Once, I had to go on a business trip and couldn't take my dog with me, so I entrusted him to a friend.
Little did I know, he was extremely resistant at my friend's house, causing trouble constantly, almost turning the house upside down.
When I came back to pick him up, he seemed to have a bit of revengeful behavior towards me."

So, do dogs who have been raised for a long time feel sad when they're given away halfway? In reality, every dog's reaction is different. Some dogs may adapt to the new environment quickly, while others may need more time to adjust their emotions.

This depends on various factors, including the dog's breed, age, personality, life experiences, and its closeness to the owner. Typically, adult dogs find it harder to adapt to new owners because they've already formed a deep emotional bond with their original owners. Facing separation, they can feel extremely sad and even feel like they've been abandoned. 

 

Giving away a dog halfway through its life can have the following impacts on them.

1. Depression

Dogs are naturally affectionate and form deep emotional bonds with their owners. When they're forced to adapt to a new environment, they often appear depressed, losing their usual liveliness and joy. In extreme cases, they may even suffer from severe depression.

 

2. Stress response

Timid dogs are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment. Even slight stimuli can make them feel frightened and look for hiding places. For such dogs, it's strongly recommended not to abandon or give them away casually. If you adopt a timid dog, it's best to let it get used to the new environment first, then try to approach it, and gradually eliminate its guard by offering tasty treats.

 

3. Decreased appetite

Both dogs separated from their old owners and those just arriving in a new home will be highly alert in their new environments. Due to stress, their appetite often decreases significantly, posing a serious threat to their health. Therefore, choosing a palatable dog food for them is crucial.

 

Lastly, let me ask you a question: If someone offers you a dog, would you be willing to adopt it?