Do Dogs Miss Their Owners?
You come back home and immediately your dog comes rushing over to you. Their tail is wagging, their feet are tapping, and they are barking excitedly for your attention…even though you have only been gone half an hour.
It is no secret that dogs cry and bark without their owners, and become extremely excited to see you return…
But does that mean they ‘miss’ you? And if your dog’s behavior when you're not around becomes a problem, how can you deal with it?
Are Dogs Capable of Missing Their Owners?
While we can not say for absolute certainty if dogs do miss their owners, the answer does seem to likely be yes. Thanks to scientific research, we now know that dogs are capable of feeling a range of emotions, including things such as joy, sadness, or anxiety.
They probably don’t miss their owners the same way humans miss each other, but it seems that being separated does cause them some distress.
In fact, a 2011 study found that dogs were much more excited to see their owners after being gone for two hours or more than they were if their owners were only gone for thirty minutes. This shows that the dogs also had some concept of time to realize that their beloved owners had been gone for a while.[1]
One of the reasons your dog misses you is because they are very social animals. Dog owners take the place of dogs in the pack, even if there are multiple dogs in the home, meaning that when you ‘go missing’ it causes them some concern.
Signs That Your Dog Misses You
Many dog owners notice a change in behavior if they have been away from their dogs for a while. ‘Smarter breeds’ may also be more susceptible to missing you. Keep an eye on these symptoms to see if your dog misses you a normal amount.
They Are Depressed
It's true, that when dogs miss their owners or suffer from separation anxiety, it can really affect their mood. This might just be a bit of sulking, but some people have even reported that their furry friends have refused food if they are not around.
Sometimes you can see a dog cope with this sadness by ignoring you and other family members, preferring to mope on their own.
They Sleep on Your Possessions
Another common dog behavior, if they miss you, is sleeping or cuddling up to your possessions. This might just be to get some of your scent, or because they know you will come back and give that object some attention.
They Act More Destructive
Dogs cannot act maliciously by punishing you, but dogs who experience separation anxiety, or boredom, may act out by destroying furniture and property. Being home alone all day is stressful, and things such as chewing may be a way to self soothe.
This can also include having accidents indoors, despite previous toilet training.
They Are More Clingy When You are Home
A big sign is that your dog is overly excited once you return, jumping up and going nuts when they see you are back.
They may also follow you around, or demand all of your attention now that you are home. This might be a temporary thing, but could become a nervous habit for some dogs.
Do Dogs Miss People Who Die or Previous Owners?
It's unlikely that dogs experience grief in the same way that humans do, but they do know when someone is no longer around. You may notice that they miss a person who is now gone, act depressed, not eat, or go to places where that person used to interact with them.
Dogs also miss their previous owner or homes, especially if they had a strong bond. Behaviors they learned there may be deeply ingrained, and they may try to leave your property to go home to them.
The good news is that dogs are very adaptable, after their grieving period for their previous owner, they should quickly adapt to their new life. Dogs are creatures that like consistency and routine, and they may become upset when this is disrupted, but in time they will come to understand that their new family loves them just as much (or more) as their previous family.[2]
How to Help Your Dog Cope With Separation
Sadly, we cannot always be there for our furry friend. Having to go to work or travel is almost inevitable. So how do you help your dog miss you a little less?
Boredom
You can help your dog miss you less by creating a comfortable space for them when you are not around.
Try to give them lots of exercise before you leave so they don’t feel pent up. It can also be a good idea to give them a comfortable bed, plenty of stimulating toys, or even an auto-feeder to keep them entertained and distracted.
Long Term Away Stays
If you are going to be gone for multiple days, consider sending your furry friend to a doggy daycare or a trusted friend. Since their routine is going to be interrupted, they won’t miss your presence as much as if they were still home.
If this is not possible, consider having somebody stay with the dog in your home. This way they are less likely to be lonely or distressed. It is also more safe.
Behavioral Problems
A lot of separation-induced behavior problems will improve with exercising and providing toys for your dog.
However, it is also a good idea to try crate training your dog when you are not at home or blocking off certain areas with baby gates. You can also try hiring a pet sitter, or try a deterrent such as Bark Collars if your neighbors are complaining about the noise.
Separation Anxiety
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, try providing them with a calm environment, such as crate training. You can give them items such as soft blankets that have your scent on them to calm them down.
Providing your dog with clothes can have a swaddling effect on them, lowering their heart rate and calming anxiety. For example, Sparkpaw’s Knit Sweater collection offers a lot of cozy options to keep your dog warm and calm.
When you leave your home, try to do it in a calm and confident way. Try not to make a fuss or ‘sneak out’ as this may cause an anxious dog to become excited or panic. Calm and collected consistency is the key to helping your dog feel relaxed.
If your dog struggles a lot with anxiety, consider talking to a professional trainer or veterinarian to help find a solution that works for you and your family.
Conclusion
While we don’t know for certain, it seems like dogs really do miss their owners. Most dogs are noticeably more excited to see their owner after a long separation rather than a short one.[3]
Signs your dog misses you can include-
Most of this is harmless. You can try to help by exercising them more before you go, providing toys, hiring a pet sitter, crate training them, leaving behind objects with your scent, leaving the house consistently and calmly, or by hiring a professional trainer.
Remember that your dog acts this way out of love, and their annoying behavior is not malicious. Keep being patient and training them; In time they will be more relaxed during your absence.
Happy Walking!
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