Why is my new rescue dog sad? Is she depressed or just adjusting?

I recommend giving Ella some time. It can take up to 2 weeks for dogs to get comfortable with their new surroundings. Give her attention, love and play time. You should see her slowly warm up to you and your family. Congratulations on your new puppy! Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello, and thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear that Honey is having some trouble adjusting to her new home. Hopefully you brought with you a few familiar items with you from Honey's previous home, like a blanket or bed. Make sure she has access to that. Offer her plenty of cuddles and attention. Offer her usual food and treats from your hand, to help gain her trust. If Honey is used to a crate, make sure you use a similar one in your home. Place her bed in there and she should quickly be drawn to it as a place of comfort and safety. I'd also look into a product called Adaptil, which is a canine pheromone that can help reduce stress and anxiety in new environments. Give it time. It is a difficult phase for Honey right now, but she should gradually get used to her new home and learn to love her new family, if you are patient, consistent, and offer her a nurturing loving home! Best of luck!

I am so sorry for all that you guys are going through! Such stress is hard on everyone, regardless of 2 legs or 4. However, the difference is, you KNOW why you're stressed and why you're moving and why everything is in upheaval, and all Matel knows is that every thing changed and her people seem upset. The most important thing is to make sure that her needs continue to be reliably met-- food offered at the same time, water always available, maybe a routine daily walk stays intact. Additionally, make time to do things she likes to do... play with her and her toys, try to get her playing, etc. This is good stress relief for everyone; if she sees you and your wife having fun and trying to engage her, that will reassure her that, "oh, its going to be ok. They are ok!" As things settle down, she will likely come around to her old self. There are medications that can be helpful for dogs, though usually dogs don't develop clinical depression the way that people do. These drugs in dogs tend to be more helpful for anxiety. However, if she's not coming around, talk to your vet about trying medication. Massage can also be helpful, soothing, and can promote good feelings and bonding. Here's a great video about canine massage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tghk42R0QHU&t=9s I'm so glad you guys are safe. Best wishes to you all! Thank you for asking PetCoach!

Dogs have anxiety and stress just like we do. Give her time, lots of attention, and she should adjust just fine. In severe cases of anxiety I use anti-anxiety medications off-label like Lorazepam that you can get from your veterinarian.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite and decreased energy can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have Rocco evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a great day! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Dogs do take time to adjust and this may be something that she just needs some more time to get used to her new surroundings. You are doing everything right. Having all her usual things (bed, toys, etc) is a great idea. Remember that everything around her is new. I would give her another month or so before worrying too much. She will demand more attention in this transition period which is normal and expected. Good luck!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It looks like Loki is a mixed breed dog but resembles a coonhound. Dogs can exhibit anxiety and be nervous in new situations, so him whining and being unsure of a new place is not unusual. It can take a while, weeks to months, for him to become very comfortable at your place, but I wouldn't give up! Depending on whatever their previous life situation was, they can take time to adjust to a new home and new people. I recommend being as kind and gentle to him as you can, and be patient with him as he adjusts to your home. If he hasn't seen a veterinarian in the last year, I recommend having him seen for an exam to ensure he is otherwise healthy. I hope this is helpful!