My dog knows when I'm upset and tries to comfort me. Is this common?

It can be normal for a pet to become more attached to their owner, especially if there is a life event (recent move, recent family addition, change in work schedule, etc) that occurs. Dogs are true companion animals whom often grow attached to their owners. As long as Bella doesn't have any symptoms of illness such as vomiting, lack of appetite, lethargy or diarrhea then I wouldn't be concerned that this is anything more than Bella showing affection. Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and take care.

Poor Bella Boo! She definitely could be depressed due to the change in the household. Dogs also can feel our stress. You can try to put a calming collar on her like adaptil. If this isn’t working or if she gets worse, I would have your vet look at her to be safe. Your vet will be able to ensure nothing else is wrong like pain or an infection somewhere. If everything checks out normal, your vet can prescribe her an anti-anxiety to help her adjust. I hope this helps!

Pets absolutely can tell when something is different or tense in the environment or with their favored person. She can tell when you're not feeling well and she is trying to comfort you. You're lucky to have one another.

Hello, sorry to hear about Bella. Dogs may indeed sense a change in people which can than indirectly affect their behaviors. However, I would recommend having Bella evaluated as she may herself be undergoing a false pregnancy. This could cause behavioral changes in her as well. Other health issues that may cause her to have behavioral changes but are less likely may include cushings disease. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Poor Littlebit! Is there a scary or traumatic even that could have happened a few months ago that could have changed his behavior? Or a change in the household (new people, kids now crawling/walking, new pets, construction, etc) or household routines (you're home more or less than normal, change in work schedule, etc)? All of these things could cause a little anxiety or neediness. You could try to give her some Benadryl to see if this calms her. You could also do a pheromone calming collar like adaptil. If this does not help, I would talk to your vet about looking at her to ensure nothing else is going on and possbily starting her on an anti-anxiety medicine. I hope this helps and she starts to feel better really soon.!

Hello. Poor Nellie. It sounds like she is just craving some stability in her life & she is doing her best to make sure you will always be her person. She may eventually relax, only time will tell. I think I would start her on one of the natural calming products available over the counter. They too take time to work, but I like Zylkene. Give it a try & thanks for giving Nellie another chance at a forever home & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Bella! Panting and being clingy can be a sign of fear or anxiety. If being left in the crate is unusual then it could be from being crated. If there were thunderstorms or other loud things that happened while you were gone then that could explain her behavior as well. I wouldn't say it is "normal" to act like this but it isn't uncommon to have anxiety from certain things. I would try to work on crate training and desensitizing her towards the crate or loud noises. If she is an older dog and the panting persists or she had effort even when asleep I would have her seen today by a Vet. Good luck!