Do Dogs Understand Death? What Science (and Experience) Really Show

When a dog dies in a household, many owners wonder if the surviving dogs truly understand what happened. In this episode, Scott Sheaffer explores how dogs perceive death, loss, and change through their senses and routines rather than through human concepts of mortality.

You’ll learn why some dogs appear to grieve while others seem unaffected, how scent and routine play a role in their behavior, and how to best support a surviving dog after a loss. This is Part 1 of a two-part series, leading into the next episode: Do Dogs Go to Heaven?

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Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If your dog is displaying aggression toward humans, consult an experienced and knowledgeable canine behavior professional who uses humane, non-aversive methods, and always take precautions to keep others safe.

Scott Sheaffer and USA Dog Behavior, LLC, are not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of the information shared in this podcast.

Transcript

Welcome back to the USA Dog Behavior Podcast. I’m Scott Sheaffer, certified dog behaviorist, and today’s episode is titled: Do Dogs Understand Death? What Science and Experience Really Show.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Part 2 will be titled: “Do Dogs Go to Heaven?”

Today we’re sticking to what dogs can actually perceive and experience regarding death.

When a dog dies in a household, owners almost always ask the same question: “Does my other dog know what happened?”

Some dogs seem depressed.
 Some search the house.
 Some don’t seem to care at all.
 Yet others seem almost happier.

So which is true?

The real answer is: Dogs don’t understand death the way humans do — but they absolutely notice loss and change.

Dogs don’t think in abstract concepts.
 They don’t understand permanence or mortality.
 They don’t imagine an afterlife. At least we don’t think they do. Who’s to know…

Dogs understand:

·       scent

·       routine

·       presence

·       behavior

·       emotional atmosphere

But when one or more of these things suddenly disappears in their daily route, they notice. Dogs are so much more perceptive of their environment than most people realize.

One of the most important senses involved is smell. When a dog dies, its scent changes dramatically. If a surviving dog is allowed to sniff the body, many seem calmer afterward.

Not because they “understand death”…but because their brain processes the following: “This familiar being is no longer responding.” I don’t need to keep searching for it. There’s nothing unknown or novel now for me to worry about.

Some dogs show what looks like grief:

·       loss of appetite

·       lethargy

·       restlessness

·       whining

·       clinginess

·       changes in sleep

But here’s an important distinction:

Dogs are reacting to:

·       loss of companionship

·       loss of routine

·       emotional changes in the household, that is, the human family

Not to the concept of death itself. Dogs are present-focused creatures.

And not every dog reacts strongly. Some dogs barely change at all.

That doesn’t mean something is wrong with them. It usually means:

·       they weren’t strongly bonded

·       or the routine disruption is minimal

Dogs that co-exist rather than bond deeply may show little reaction. And some dogs might act happier because they are getting more attention from their human owners.

All of these responses are normal.

So how should owners help their surviving dog? The best thing you can do is maintain structure.

That means:

·       regular walks

·       same feeding times

·       same training routines

·       same rules

What you don’t want to do is turn your dog into an emotional support animal for your grief. Excessive comforting can accidentally reinforce anxiety and depression behaviors. It’s called behavioral cueing and I’m going to cover this subject in an upcoming episode.

Dogs feel safest when:

·       the world stays predictable

·       leadership stays calm

·       routines stay intact

A lot of owners project human grief onto dogs – especially after the loss of a family dog. That’s natural — but it’s not always helpful. Dogs don’t sit around thinking: “My friend is gone forever.”

They think: “My world feels different.” And once their world feels stable again, they adapt remarkably well.

This brings us to the deeper emotional question…If dogs don’t understand death…
 do they go to heaven? That’s not a scientific question. It’s a spiritual and emotional one. And that’s what we’ll talk about in Part 2 of this series.

If today’s episode helped you, I’d really appreciate a quick review on Apple or wherever you listen. It helps other dog owners find the show. Thanks for listening.