Do dogs grieve when rehomed?

Dogs can form strong bonds and attachments to their human families. So when a dog is rehomed and separated from their family, it’s natural to wonder if they feel grief over this loss. While we can’t know for sure everything our dogs are thinking and feeling, research and anecdotal evidence suggests that dogs do indeed grieve when rehomed away from their original families. Understanding the grief process in dogs can help new owners better empathize with and help a rehomed dog transition to their new life.

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Do dogs form attachments to their families?

Yes, studies show that dogs form emotional attachments and bonds to their human caretakers in much the same way human infants bond with their parents. This is not surprising when you consider that dogs have been selectively bred for thousands of years to be our companions. Forming secure attachments enhances their ability to cooperate with humans.

Research has found that when dogs are separated from their caretakers, they exhibit behaviors associated with distress, anxiety, and grief. These can include decreased activity, loss of appetite, crying/whining, and searching behaviors to try to locate their missing humans. Studies of the dog-human bond have also found that:

Dogs view their human caretakers as a source of safety and security.
The longer dogs live with their humans, the stronger the reported bond.
Dogs demonstrate preference for their humans over strangers.

Dogs exhibit jealous behaviors when their humans interact with other pets or people.

This evidence indicates dogs feel a close connection to their families. Losing this attachment when rehomed can be very distressing.

Do dogs understand what rehoming means?

Dogs likely don’t fully comprehend the human concept of rehoming. However, dogs do have excellent memories and can remember other dogs, animals, places, and people for years. So when a dog is rehomed, they certainly recognize they are separated from their familiar home and family.

Dogs are also very routine-oriented animals. Changes in location, schedules, caretakers and so on can be disruptive and confusing. So while they may not understand the full implications of being rehomed, dogs do notice and react to the major changes. This disruption along with the loss of their humans can be very upsetting.

Signs of grief in rehomed dogs

How might grief manifest in a recently rehomed dog? Here are some common behaviors reported in dogs grieving the loss of their families:

Depression: Loss of interest in food, toys, or activities. Lethargy, increased sleep, loss of energy.

Anxiety: Restlessness, pacing, hiding, whining, trembling, attempts to escape.
Searching behaviors: Looking for previous owners, waiting by doors, windows or in front of the house.
Vocalizations: Crying, whining, howling – especially when left alone.

Destructiveness: Chewing, digging, scratching doors or windows – due to stress.
Loss of housetraining: Urinating/defecating indoors – loss of habits and schedule.
Clinginess: Velcro dog, constantly following new owners.

Aggression: Snapping, growling or biting when approached or disturbed.

Not all rehomed dogs will show all these signs. But many grieving dogs do exhibit more destructive behaviors, house soiling, depression, or anxiety than is normal for them. Time, patience, and compassion from new owners can help ease this transition.

Why rehoming causes grief

To better understand why rehoming causes grief, it helps to know what grief is. Grief is the emotional suffering caused by loss, especially of someone loved. Losing a caretaker to whom they are bonded deeply upsets dogs. Specific reasons rehoming causes grief include:

Separation from attachment figure – Loss of primary caretaker is profoundly disturbing.
Break in routine – Meals, walks, play at certain times. Disrupts their sense of consistency and normalcy.
Environment change – Once familiar home and neighborhood are gone. New home has unfamiliar sights/sounds.

Relationship change – No more daily bonding time with previous owner showing love and affection.
Loss of identity – Role and status as member of previous “pack” is lost.

These sudden, correlating changes are a huge upheaval for a dog. Grieving is a natural response as they adjust to their new life after rehoming.

Does grief affect all rehomed dogs?

Most, though not all, dogs will show signs of grief when rehomed away from their families. However, certain factors influence how intensely a dog experiences and exhibits grief:

Age – Younger dogs generally adapt easier than older dogs with long history with previous owner.
Length of time in previous home – Quicker acclimation if only there a short time vs years.

Reason for rehoming – Traumatic reasons like abuse may make transition harder.
Number of homes – Multiple rehomings magnify loss and insecurity issues.
Personality – Shy, anxious, or insecure dogs struggle more with change.

Type of home – Chaotic homes with little attention or training prolong transition.

While every dog experiences some effects, well-adjusted adult dogs rehomed to caring homes tend to adapt within a few weeks to months. However patience and proper introduction techniques remain important.

Can rehomed dogs bond with a new family?

Yes, rehomed dogs absolutely can form close attachments and bond securely with a new family. While the past loss may always be a part of their story, most dogs will come to transfer their loyalty and affection onto new owners given proper love, training and time to adjust.

Tips to help a rehomed dog bond deeply with their new family:

Establish a predictable routine of feedings, walks, playtime and more right away.
Provide a comfortable, safe space just for the dog to retreat to if feeling anxious.

Give them time to adjust to new sights/sounds before exposing them to lots of visitors, travel, loud places.
Encourage bonding through activities you both enjoy like play, training, cuddle time.
Include the dog in family activities so they feel part of the new “pack.”

Avoid punishing nervous behaviors; be patient and use positive reinforcement.

With time, consistency and TLC, an adopted dog will come to realize they are home!

How long does rehoming grief last?

There is no set timeline for how long rehoming grief may last. It depends on the individual dog and situation. Some dogs settle into their new homes in just days, especially if the new owners and environment are welcoming. But for most dogs, a grieving period of several weeks to a few months is common.

Signs to look for that indicate a rehomed dog is starting to feel at home:

Comfortably exploring new home on their own.
Initiating play and demonstrates enjoyment.

Seeking out attention and petting from new owners.
Relaxing enough for naps and normal sleep cycles.
Eating and eliminating on a normal routine.

Decrease in destructive behaviors.
No longer frantically searching for previous owner.

If significant anxiety, fear, or destructiveness persists beyond 2-3 months, consult a veterinarian or certified dog behaviorist. Underlying issues may need addressing before the dog can properly settle in.

Helping a grieving rehomed dog adjust

The key to helping a grieving dog is patience and understanding. Some helpful tips:

Keep initial introductions low-key. Too much stimuli early on can be overwhelming.
Establish a predictable daily routine right away. Consistency and ritual are comforting.

Allow the dog to retreat to their safe space when needed.
Encourage bonding through quality time doing activities together.
Let the dog set the pace for meeting new people or animals.

Provide engaging toys and chew bones to ease boredom and anxiety.
Consider calming supplements or pheromone products if severe anxiety.
Be alert for any aggressive warning signs like growling or nipping.

Avoid punishing nervous behaviors. Reinforce calmness and confidence.
Consult a trainer or behaviorist if problems don’t improve over 2-3 months.

The most therapeutic medicine of all is devoted time and attention from new family. The dog will come to realize they are still loved, safe, and have a home.

Rehoming grief vs. separation anxiety

The grief dogs experience after rehoming shares some similarities with separation anxiety but are ultimately distinct issues. Separation anxiety stems from a dog being overly dependent on or velcroed to one or multiple members of their household. Rehoming grief relates to the specific loss of a previous attachment figure and environment. Key differences:

Rehoming Grief	Separation Anxiety
Results from losing a specific primary caretaker/home	Excessive dependence on one or more family members generally
May improve in weeks to months with support	Typically a chronic lifelong tendency requiring behavior modification
Dog is typically comfortable alone after adjustment period	Dog panics whenever left alone by owner(s)
Searching, vocalizing for previous owner	Destructive, escapes confinement to follow/find current owners

While rehoming grief normally resolves with time and training, true separation anxiety is a lasting condition requiring more customized behavior treatment plans.

When to seek help for rehoming grief

Mild to moderate grief responses often resolve on their own as a dog bonds with a new family. But seek help from your veterinarian or professional trainer/behaviorist if:

Loss of appetite or lethargy persists beyond 2 weeks
House soiling continues consistently after a month despite re-training
Destructive behavior like chewing, digging or barking is ongoing

Dog shows aggression like growling, snapping or biting at family members
Severe fear, anxiety or nervous behaviors fail to decrease after 2-3 months in new home
Obsessive pacing, crying and other signs of despair continue with no improvement

The sooner distressing symptoms are professionally addressed, the better the outcome. Never punish a dog grieving rehoming. Seek qualified guidance instead. With the right support, the dog can learn to thrive in their new forever home.

Conclusion

In summary, while we cannot truly know a dog’s innermost emotions, substantial evidence indicates dogs do grieve when removed from their original homes and families. Forming attachments is natural dog behavior, so rehoming disrupts their bond with prior caretakers. Common grief responses include depression, anxiety, destruction, vocalizing, and house soiling. How severely and for how long a dog grieves depends on many factors. But most dogs can ultimately form equally strong bonds with a new family given proper introduction techniques, training, time to adjust, and patient support. Consistent love and routine in their new home facilitates the transition during this mourning process. Seek professional help from your veterinarian or certified trainer/behaviorist if concerning symptoms persist beyond 2-3 months. With compassion and understanding of rehoming grief, you can help an adopted dog learn to feel safe, comfortable, and loved in their new forever home.