Yes, dogs, like humans, need psychological support. They may also be sad or worried about something, and their mood may also deteriorate. The more pleasant the mental organization of the animal, the more the dog is intellectually developed and the more vividly it reacts to the environment. Moreover, you can see how the dog is offended and depressed, or if nothing pleases him or he can withdraw into himself.
It seems no one wants to offend him, but maybe someone in the house said something a little harsher than the situation called for. Immediately, the dog's mood disappears. He goes to his house, does not want to communicate, buries his head in a corner and moans softly in his beard. Moreover, a loving owner is simply obliged to help the animal overcome this state.
Errors first.
1-Toys and treats are immediately used. This is how you talk to the dog.
"You take offence, shut yourself up, and I will reward you for this with a tasty treat, a game." First, we cheer up the dog, and then we encourage him to carry on with his problems.
2-Another mistake. Indifference.
"Yes, he will sit in the corner, come out by herself. It's just a dog, what will she do." And there will be a loss of trust and contact with the owner. The dog, of course, will come out, but he will remember that his problems need to be solved by himself, and the owner is like the furniture. Then people wonder why she doesn’t obey, doesn’t obey because she decides everything herself. You taught her this. There is no interaction.
3-Support = sorry. Dogs perceive pity as of weakness.
Soon you will see that the dog pretends to be depressed so that you come running to him and regret that you paid attention.
As I do, if I see that my dog is "covered". Several working ways. My students tried it and they love it. You just need to choose the one that suits you the most.
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Working ways
Curiosity
So he was sad for something, all so sad, turned away. I sit down ostentatiously on the floor in the opposite corner of the room and pretend to be looking at something. As a rule, this is some object that my dog has never seen before, or seen but rarely. I looked at the glowing keychain for the last time. I don’t look at my dog at all. he turned into a corner. Face the wall. I feel that someone sneaks up behind me, puts his head on his shoulder, looks in, and tries to consider what is in my hands. He's so curious. Immediately I don’t let him see when curiosity reaches the limit, and he begins to "crack" me with his paw, and snort in my ear when I am convinced that the dog is "let go" by melancholy or resentment, only then I let him see, smell, look, touch. But out of curiosity, it is very easy to translate everything further into a game, into a walk, in pruritus. Add a good mood.
The easiest way. Tactile.
Just walk up and put your hand on his head or back. Not hugging, not all dogs like it. Just put your hand. This tells the dog that you are here, that the dog is not alone. And wait a moment. If he turns to you and wants to communicate, good. If he doesn’t want to, we remove the hand, and the dog suddenly perks up: "where did you put it?"
The owner himself needs to be calm and positive.
The dog, when he sees that you are worried, begins to worry twice... You need to choose the opposite emotion from the dog. If everything is really bad, and you feel bad and the dog is feeling bad, then start recovery with yourself. Try to turn on joyful music for yourself, dress up more cheerfully in bright and beautiful clothing, and start getting ready for a walk in a positive way. Invite your dog to interact. Straight joyfully with the urge: "Let's go! It's time to have fun!" It works well. Doesn't want to go, don't insist. Continue to keep your own mood. Continue packing. It will thaw very soon. Especially when you're ready and there are only sneakers left in the hallway. Can't stand it! Will come running. "But what about me?" Even if you rattle a collar with a leash, then familiar sounds will strongly inspire him to quickly forget the sadness.
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Aerobic exercise. If the case is extremely heavy
If the dog is in constant, prolonged depression, or sluggish in the spring and autumn seasons, then swimming, and light running will help. Massages help. After the death of the owners, such a dog came to me for overexposure. The adaptation was not going well at first. We walked and walked, swam together, and ran a little. She took me to the cottage, the dog was digging trenches in the beds there. At home, I tried to withdraw into myself, but nothing. The massage helped. No sedatives required, no anti-anxiety drugs. After a while, I put the dog in the safe hands of a friend. There is a flirt. The garden is larger, there are a lot of beds. Pool. Everything is great. And the main thing is mutual understanding and love. In difficult cases, massage courses. Swimming is also in courses. At a time, a lingering psychological "sore" will not help. Sometimes the dog needs to be forced directly, through "I do not want". Then he will understand how cool it is. He also won't want to leave.
Sometimes you just need to take into account the desire of the dog.
Not everything should be strictly according to the command, according to the norm, according to training, and according to the regimen. Animals also have their own wishes. Some of them can be implemented by the owner. If he wants to play, well, give in, don’t refuse, don’t shout. If he wants to tinker in a puddle like a pig, but God be with him, with appearance, let him rejoice. The main thing is not 15 minutes before the exhibition.)
All these methods are your psychological support during some difficult moments in your dog's life.
Even if you just tell your four-legged friend: "Well, what are you doing? Everything is fine!" Not in a pitying tone, but in a calm, kind tone, it will already mean to the dog that you are not indifferent to its trouble. This also works with my Dog. We are on "Well, what are you doing? Everything is fine!" Immediately his ears rise, his eyes light up, and his nose pokes my face. "Mom, I’m nothing, it seemed to you!"
I will tell you the last. If you undertook to support, then support until the end, until the dog's mood and psychological state improve. Someone walks away quickly, someone slowly, be patient. Do not be annoyed if you have made a lot of effort, but there is no return from the dog. It means that you hurt your friend a lot or some situation was difficult.