What happens when a dog loses someone they love?

Whether it’s the death of a human family member, the loss of another pet, or a major change in the home, many dogs seem different afterward. They may eat less, sleep more, search familiar places, or simply become quieter than before.

But are they actually grieving?

In this episode of The Recall Room, we explore what science can—and can’t—tell us about grief in dogs. We’ll look at the research behind behavioral changes after loss, the emotional lives of dogs, and why this question is more complex than it first appears.

Because understanding grief isn’t just about knowing what dogs feel.

It’s about learning how deeply our lives become intertwined with theirs.

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Any questions or topics you’d like to see in a future episode ?

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Website:

www.therecallroom.com

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hello@therecallroom.com

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References & Further Reading

• The Emotional Lives of Animals by Marc Bekoff
• How Animals Grieve by Barbara J. King
• Barbara J. King’s articles and interviews on animal grief
• Research by the Dog Aging Project on behavioral changes in dogs
• The Mourning Dog Questionnaire study by Morris Animal Foundation researchers (2022), which surveyed thousands of owners about dogs’ behavior after the death of a companion animal
• Work from the Center for the Human-Animal Bond on the human–animal relationship

Why does your dog stare at you while they’re pooping? Spin in circles before lying down? Eat grass, steal socks, kick dirt after going to the bathroom, or suddenly sprint around the house like they’ve completely lost their mind?

As strange as these behaviors may seem, most aren’t random at all.

In this episode of The Recall Room, we explore the science and instincts behind some of the most common—and most puzzling—things dogs do. You’ll learn how evolution, communication, body language, and individual personality shape the behaviors we see every day, along with how to recognize the difference between harmless quirks and behaviors that may warrant a closer look.

Whether you’ve laughed at your dog’s zoomies, wondered why they sniff every inch of a walk, or questioned why they insist on making eye contact during bathroom breaks, this episode will help you see those moments from your dog’s perspective.

In this episode, you’ll learn things like:

• Why dogs spin before lying down or circle before going to the bathroom

• The truth about eating grass

• Why dogs sniff everything on walks

• What zoomies, head tilts, play sneezes, and other “weird” behaviors are actually communicating

• Why dogs roll in foul smells, steal socks, and stare while they poop

Sometimes the strangest behaviors have the simplest explanations—and sometimes they remind us just how remarkable dogs really are.

Because once you stop asking, “Why is my dog being weird?” and start asking, “What is my dog trying to tell me?” everything begins to make a little more sense.

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Any questions or topics you’d like to see in a future episode ?

Let us know - your voice belongs in the room, too!

Website:

www.therecallroom.com

Email:

hello@therecallroom.com

Voicemail:

https://www.therecallroom.com/voicemail

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References & Further Reading

• Horowitz, Alexandra. Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know. Scribner.

• McConnell, Patricia B. The Other End of the Leash. Ballantine Books.

• Overall, Karen L. Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. Elsevier.

• Yin, Sophia. Low Stress Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs & Cats. CattleDog Publishing.

• Bekoff, Marc. The Emotional Lives of Animals. New World Library.

• Coppinger, Raymond & Lorna Coppinger. Dogs: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior & Evolution. Scribner.

• Hart, B. L. (1985). The Behavior of Domestic Animals. W.H. Freeman.

• Miklósi, Ádám. Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition. Oxford University Press.

• Coren, Stanley. Research and publications on canine cognition, sensory perception, and behavior.

• Hecht, Julie. Research on canine behavior and cognition.

• Hart, V., et al. (2013). “Dogs are sensitive to small variations of the Earth’s magnetic field.” Frontiers in Zoology.

As always, every dog is an individual. If behavioral concerns persist after medical causes have been ruled out, seek guidance from a qualified, evidence-based behavior professional.

Welcome back to Part Two of our conversation about senior dogs.

In Part One, we talked about what happens as our dogs age and some of the changes we might notice along the way.

Now we’re getting into the practical side:

How do we actually help our dogs through this stage of life?

In this episode, we’re talking about the ways we can adapt our care as our dogs’ needs change — from supporting mobility and managing pain to making changes around the house, thinking about nutrition, keeping their minds engaged, and paying attention to changes in behavior or cognitive function.

We’ll also talk about something that can be surprisingly difficult for dog owners: knowing when a change is simply part of aging and when it’s time to call the veterinarian.

Because senior dogs often don’t need us to completely change their lives.

They need us to make their lives a little easier.

A softer place to sleep. A safer way to get around the house. A slightly different exercise routine. More patience. More observation. And sometimes, a little more help from their veterinary team.

And perhaps most importantly, we’ll talk about quality of life.

Our dogs don’t get to stay young forever. But that doesn’t mean their senior years can’t be full of comfort, enrichment, connection, and really good days.

So let’s talk about how we can help make those years as good as they possibly can be.

Let’s hop into the Room.

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Any questions or topics you’d like to see in a future episode ?

Let us know - your voice belongs in the room, too!

Website:

www.therecallroom.com

Email:

hello@therecallroom.com

Voicemail:

https://www.therecallroom.com/voicemail

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References & Further Reading

This episode was informed by current veterinary research and evidence-based guidance on healthy aging, senior wellness, canine cognition, pain recognition, and quality of life.

• Epstein, M.E., et al. 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), 2023.
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Senior Pets educational resources.
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine – Riney Canine Health Center. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome and Healthy Aging in Dogs.
• American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). Educational resources on canine osteoarthritis, mobility, and pain management.
• Overall, K.L. Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. Elsevier.
• Bender, A., & Strong, E. Canine Enrichment for the Real World. Dogwise Publishing, 2019.
• Landsberg, G.M., Hunthausen, W., & Ackerman, L. Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat.Elsevier.

As always, this episode is intended for educational purposes and should not replace advice from your veterinarian. If your dog is showing sudden changes in mobility, behavior, appetite, cognition, or overall health, consult your veterinary team for an individualized assessment.