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

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | 9 months and 1 day old | 15 lbs

I recently rescued a young dog. I was curious if she could be depressed or adjusting

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Penelope Graben, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 13th, 2018

Hello! If often takes some time for a pet to adjust to their brand new home and family. Most dogs need a few weeks to become confident and comfortable in their new environment. It would be helpful to know exactly what she is doing that is causing you to be concerned though. If you'd like to resubmit a question describing the possibly depressed or adjusting behavior (ie. hiding, pacing, licking, chewing, growling), I may be able to better advise. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

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