Has anyone ever had a dog that was depressed? What did he or she act like. I started noticing a strange behavior from my dog (4y/o rescue dog I adopted a year ago) several months ago, and although it's a lot better, I still notice it from time to time.

So, when nothing is really going on, she will CONSTANTLY go toward the front door and just stare at it. Actually I have gate up between the room and the front door so she will stare through the gate to the door. Like she is expecting something to come in. I live in a small apt, and we can hear everything in the hallways, so I think when she hears things out there, she goes toward the front door. fine. but even when there isn't a single sound coming from out there, she is constantly doing this. does anyone have a clue why she is doing this? also every time she is standing and staring her tail is always down.

The other thing is.. several months ago, she would start sitting in front of the door, staring at it and trembling. This seems a little different than when she is "watching" the front door (while standing). She will sometimes do this in other areas as well. in the bed room, in the hallway. For instance, right now, she is just sitting in the hallway, with her head down, staring at either the door or the wall. almost like she is depressed or deep in thought about something or day dreaming?!? but do dogs really do that?

sometimes she will be trembling when she does this, sometimes not, it varies, but lately, she is mostly not.

here is a pic of her doing this:

anyone else experience anything like this?

How much daily exercise does your dog get and have you tried exercising her, both physically and mentally, more? Dogs can get depressed and bored if they don't have enough to challenge and stimulate them.

Is her overall health good?

hi

yes her overall health is good. I walk her at least 4 times a day, and have been trying to do more things inside to keep her stimulated (ie working on general obedience, and trying new tricks, playing fetch)... think it's just possibly boredom? I WISH there were some place I could take her to let her off leash and let her run around, but the only places around here like that are small fenced in dog runs, and she does not do well with other dogs. Too bad we don't have a yard

What a cutie - she looks a lot like my rat terrier, except his ears are always at full bat- readiness. )

Are you sure she doesnt just hear something that you do not?
Maybe something that scares her?

Dogs hearing is much more sensitive than ours, and my dogs react to many things before I see or hear them. I used to have two small dogs who were terrified of thunder. They would hear it coming long before I could, and shake.

Its a little hard to see in the picture, but it looks to me like she could be listening to something.

I'm not much on terminology and behaviorisms and everything so keep that in mind. I just look at something like that and figure the anticipation is stressful either because she isnt getting what she wants or is bothered by what she might get. For me thats time to put her in a crate with something to chew on.

yea, unfortunately my dog does not like chewing, so she can never really keep herself entertained with that. she always needs some sort of interaction with me, which is hard to give her every second i am home!

Hi Jenn,

She is very cute. In the picture, she doesn't look depressed at all. Just like all the dogs know when it's time for the mailman to pass by so they can bark at him, she probably has a general idea when the other tenants are coming or going on their daily schedule. She looks like she is a Jack Russell.

Learn to communicate with her, teach her some tricks, practice daily and you won't have to rely exclusively on physical exercise.

Some tips when you exercise her:
1. Train her to walk on a loose leash and train her to come to you when called.
2. Then, walk her on a longer line and let her sniff around on the grass, shrubs or wherever she wants to explore.
3. Change your route often--don't always take her on the same streets etc.
4. While on your walk, do some training like recalls, sit, down unexpectedly--this will teach her to obey you in all circumstances.
5. Make sure you keep her safe from loose dogs.
Mental stimulation is just as exhausting as physical exercise for your girl so if you always keep her thinking with novel experiences (easy to do) she'll be one tired girl

How long are those walks that you take 4 times a day?

My jack russell acts like that sometimes.

He will act like that:

When I do not exercise him enough.

When I am stressed or down about something.

When there is something he really wants, like any small mammal that is still breathing, but can't get to it. Either because of the fence or because I said not to.

At feeding time on a fast day because he is a pig in a JRT's body.

When I used to worry about his feelings and try to psychoanalyze him to death wondering what he was thinking about.

That last one probably sounds like I'm trying to be a smart arse, but I swear I aren't. If she longs for your attention when you are home, and she gets it 100% of the time when she is being pitiful by the door, then you bet she is going to be there puttin' on a sad face.

To be safe, maybe a vet check is in order. Make sure that everything is well with her health.

Then, do not put any of your waking energy into this habit of hers. Don't let her even think about engaging in it. If you know 100% that you are giving her plenty of exercise, and plenty of training, then put her in her crate like Steve said. Give her a stuffed kong. I bet you can find something that she likes to put in there.

Do anything other than worry about the behavior or allow her to practice the behavior.

 Quote: Sue Miller

Hi Jenn,

She is very cute. In the picture, she doesn't look depressed at all. Just like all the dogs know when it's time for the mailman to pass by so they can bark at him, she probably has a general idea when the other tenants are coming or going on their daily schedule. She looks like she is a Jack Russell.

Learn to communicate with her, teach her some tricks, practice daily and you won't have to rely exclusively on physical exercise.

Some tips when you exercise her:
1. Train her to walk on a loose leash and train her to come to you when called.
2. Then, walk her on a longer line and let her sniff around on the grass, shrubs or wherever she wants to explore.
3. Change your route often--don't always take her on the same streets etc.
4. While on your walk, do some training like recalls, sit, down unexpectedly--this will teach her to obey you in all circumstances.
5. Make sure you keep her safe from loose dogs.
Mental stimulation is just as exhausting as physical exercise for your girl so if you always keep her thinking with novel experiences (easy to do) she'll be one tired girl

thanks! she is very cute, which is why i haven't thrown her out the window yet! just kidding

these are all good ideas to entertain her, and I will try to keep her more active, and switch up our routines a bit to keep her from getting too bored. our schedules are always a bit off too since, when I am at work, she is chillin around the house/ sleeping etc, and when I come home, she is all amped up and ready to go, while I am ready to chill out myself.

and like michael said, stop trying to analyze it! i can't help it, but i am always trying to figure people out, and make sure they are happy, and tend to do this with the dog too!

 Quote: jenn verrier

and like michael said, stop trying to analyze it! i can't help it, but i am always trying to figure people out, and make sure they are happy, and tend to do this with the dog too!

I'll be the first to admit that I am the world's worst about it.

It is very hard not to do.