During the winter however, there can be some more usual – or more likely – causes of a dog’s apparent sadness. This may be similar to the human version - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – or far more likely can be due the changes in the dog’s routine.
Our dogs have certain hard-wired needs that we have to be able to fulfil to keep them healthy and happy. A major one of these is exercise and stimulation – physical and mental. Not only that but they need the right kind of exercise, and this can often be breed or type dependent.
Through the winter – especially the long, wet winters we have been seeing in recent years – it can be hard to give dogs the exercise they need. Dark mornings and evenings, and muddy, wet walks, can make taking the dog out seem like a chore for many rather than a joy and so many dogs are getting less exercise or fewer walks than usual, and aren’t getting to do the things they truly love.
In other cases, owners don’t realise just how much exercise their dog needs – or what types of things will keep them happy. All dogs are different and so finding out what fulfils a dog’s hard-wired needs can be the key to a contented dog. It’s similar to someone who loves nothing more than doing yoga being forced to only do marathon running! Yes, you’d be getting the exercise you need but you wouldn’t be enjoying it and would probably be feeling pretty fed up about it!
A lack of being able to do the things they have been selectively bred to do – or just the things that they love – can result in a whole host of behaviour problems, some of which will present a lot like dog depression symptoms. It’s easy for owners to let this slip through the dark, wet months!