Why Does My Cockapoo Look Sad?

Cockapoos and other dog breeds are one group of animals that always seem to be happy to be alive. Cockapoos are known for their boisterous and lively personalities. Not all dogs have the same lust for life, though. You may not have realised it, but just like humans, dogs can suffer from depression. If your dog noticeably looks sad or does not show the same excitement they did before or that you would expect from them, it could be that they are suffering from doggy depression.

Although many cockapoos are expressive if your dog does not look overtly sad or depressed, how can you tell they are suffering? Below we have put together a list of some of the signs and symptoms of canine depression that you should look out for your dog exhibiting.

Bad Habits

Has your cockapoo developed any bad habits recently? Behaviours like digging, chewing, and excessive licking are often what cockapoos do when they feel stressed.

Avoidance

Like humans, when cockapoos are depressed, they do not want to be around anyone. If your dog is always looking for refuge away from the rest of the people and animals in the household, whether underneath a bed or in a closet, this could be a sign they are depressed. Furthermore, if they get frustrated or even take a snap at anyone that tries to engage them, this could be another sign of depression.

Changed Their Eating Habits

Has your dog changed their eating habits? Like humans, when cockapoos and other breeds of dogs are not happy or depressed, they often do not want to eat and may even avoid treats they have eaten and enjoyed before. On the other hand, like some humans, depressed dogs sometimes overeat to cope with their stress, anxiety and sadness.

Lost Their Interest

Are you noticing a pattern here? Many of the symptoms of a sad or depressed dog are the same as those of a sad or depressed human. It’s no surprise that another common sign of doggy depression is your canine buddy being aloof and withdrawn. They often lack interest in being around people or engaging in activities that are typically considered exciting, fun and enjoyable. Depressed cockapoos are usually very inactive and sleep more than wanting to go for walks and play with toys.

Excessive Sleeping

Following on from the above, if your cockapoo has unusual sleeping patterns, they sleep more than they usually do, rather than doing other activities. This could be a clear sign of doggy depression.

Most Common Reasons Why Cockapoos Are Sad and Depressed

Now that you understand some of the most common signs and symptoms to look out for that may indicate that your dog is depressed, it’s important to look at the potential root causes.

Fear

In some instances, cockapoos appear depressed because they are fearful. It could be anything like a strange new scent they have picked up or been in an unfamiliar and unsettling environment. Dogs cannot express their emotions in the same way as humans, so a sign they are afraid could be to withdraw from people and usual activities as a way of protecting themselves.

Physical Illnesses

As noted above, cockapoos cannot communicate directly with us verbally, which often makes it difficult to spot when they are suffering from some chronic pain. Dogs often become depressed because they don’t know how to deal with physical illnesses and injuries they are suffering from. It would be best to watch your dog closely for any signs of disease, such as difficulty completing even the simplest tasks, irregular stools, vomiting or a combination.

Grief

As is the case with us, their human owners, cockapoos, are susceptible to the effects of grief from losing a friend. When another animal or dog in the same household dies, it is not unusual for a dog to become depressed. However, it doesn’t even need to be losing a friend to death. If they never see a neighbourhood friend again, this can cause them to feel depressed. Understandably, if their owner passes away, they can feel depressed too.

Bad Weather

Bad weather, especially dull and rainy days, is enough to turn even the cheeriest person miserable. The same can be said for your cockapoo. At the same time, a few odd days here and there where the weather is dreary is unlikely to cause your pooch to suffer from depression. Rain, storms, and general dullness over a more extended period could harm your dog’s mental well-being. There are even some cockapoos that will react badly to the whole season – winter, for example.

Environmental Changes

Like many animals, cockapoos are incredibly sensitive creatures. It sometimes takes the smallest change to their normal environment to trigger negative feelings and anxiety. When your dog finds it hard to adapt to these changes, it can lead to depression. Some of the most common environmental changes you need to be aware of are:

• The sudden move to a different location, even a change of house, could cause depression
• A new baby or new member of the household
• Members of the household living away from home for a long time
• A member of the household moving permanently away or dying
• Even small changes to your dog’s routine can trigger depression.

New Home

The biggest reason cockapoos and other species of dogs go through bouts of depression is moving into a new home. It can be incredibly stressful for a dog when they are first brought into a new environment, especially during the first months. Fortunately, this kind of depression will eventually fade away as your new dog becomes available and familiar with their new home. If you feel that your new cockapoo puppy is finding it hard to settle in your home, there are some things you can do to make the process easier for him or her:

• Take your new dog to local dog parks
• Give them lots of potty breaks and potty training
• Provide some interactive toys to keep them distracted and stimulated
• Feed your new dog nutritious treats
• Encourage your dog to socialise

You also need to remember that if your dog has lived elsewhere with a previous owner, they will likely struggle with a new home. This is usually either because they miss the people who owned them before you or they were abusive.

What Can You Do If You Think Your Dog Is Depressed?

If you are sure that you are seeing the signs of doggy depression in your canine buddy, you should take the first call to the vet. This will help to rule out any physical issues that could be causing it. If, though, your vet agrees that your dog is suffering from a bout of depression, there are several things you can try to combat it.

• Identify and Address Any Potential Triggers – if you can identify the direct cause of the depression your dog is suffering from, you may be able to ease its symptoms by removing the trigger. For instance, if you think your dog is depressed because they are spending a lot of time on its own, you could consider taking him or her to doggy daycare or getting a new dog as a companion.
• Be Patient – Some triggers of doggy depression, like environmental changes and grief, can take a while to get through. Exercise patience with your pooch and avoid getting noticeably frustrated.
• Spend Time With Your Dog Doing Fun Activities – one way to beat the doggy blues is by spending time with your cockapoo and doing fun outdoors. The stimulation and fun can make your four-legged friend feel happier. Make time to do the things your dog loves, whether going for a run, playing in the garden or socialising with his or her friends.
• Socialise – Following the above, socialising is a key part of a dog’s good health. Letting your dog interact with other humans and dogs can lift their mood and distract them.
• Modify Behaviours – If your dog’s bout of depression is causing troublesome behaviour, you need to change that behaviour and manage its environment carefully.

When these suggestions don’t, you may need to speak to your vet about prescription medication for your furry friend.