Thursday Feb 19, 2026
When Dogs Grieve.
Do dogs grieve? What does dog grief actually look like? And how can you support a dog after the loss of another dog, a person, or an animal companion?
In this episode of Rewriting the Rules, we explore canine grief in depth. When a dog loses a companion, whether that is another dog in the home or a beloved human, their world changes in ways that are often misunderstood. Grief in dogs can show up as anxiety, clinginess, withdrawal, separation distress, appetite changes, reactivity, confidence loss, or even trauma-like behaviours.
We discuss:
-
Do dogs really experience grief?
-
How attachment and co-regulation shape canine behaviour
-
Why behaviour changes after loss are often nervous system responses
-
What happens when two dogs become one
-
Why alone time can suddenly feel frightening
-
How grief can sometimes resemble PTSD or trauma
-
Practical, compassionate ways to support a grieving dog
-
How long dog grief may last
-
How to rebuild safety, confidence, and emotional stability
This episode also gently acknowledges your own grief as a guardian, and how your emotional state interacts with your dog’s adjustment without placing pressure on you to suppress your feelings.
If your dog is showing behavioural changes after losing a companion, this episode will help you understand what may be happening beneath the surface and how to support them in a calm, steady, and emotionally intelligent way.
Grief is not a behaviour problem. It is an attachment response.
Listen now to learn how to walk alongside your dog through loss with compassion and clarity.
Further resources
Free Learning:
Take The Next Step
Our Programmes – Work With Bethany One To One
Rewriting the Rules: The CDD Mentorship
Surrey & Surrounding Areas- Programmes
If you’re ready to step into something different - something kinder, wiser, and more meaningful - you’re in the right place.
Let’s raise dogs with dignity. Let’s teach through connection. Let’s begin the conversation.
No comments yet. Be the first to say something!