You open the door and–ah! Your dog leaps around, crying loudly, and leaps up to lick at your face. It’s as if you’ve been gone for years, not eight hours! Every day, when you come back from work, your dog cries loudly. Is this a reason to be concerned? You wonder: why does my dog cry when he sees me?
Your dog cries when he sees you because he’s very excited that you are home. Dogs are pack animals and see you as their alpha, so your absence can cause them anxiety. In addition, dogs can become bored, and seeing you stimulates their behavior.
In this article, we will dive into the reasons why your dog cries and how to calm him when you come home.
Reasons Your Dog Cries When He Sees You
There can be many reasons a dog cries when they see you, but the most common ones are below.
Your Dog Is Greeting You
When you come home, your dog may whine and cry as a way of welcoming you home. Because dogs can’t just say, “Hi!” they have to be more creative with how they express themselves.
They will also greet you with vigorous face licking and sniffing to see where you’ve been.
Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety
Some dogs become incredibly anxious when you leave the house, so they whine out of a sense of anxiety when you come back.
Because crying is a general behavior, you’ll have to look closely to see if your dog whines out of separation anxiety: does he pace? Does he destroy the house when you’re not home? Does he pee on the floor when you’re gone? Does he try to escape the house?
If the answers to these questions are yes, then your dog likely has separation anxiety. In this case, it is essential to find a professional who can help adjust your dog’s behavior.
If your dog is injuring itself because of its anxiety, you should take him to see the vet, who will be able to prescribe anti-anxiety medication.
Your Dog Wants Your Attention
After a long day of being alone, your dog wants you to spend some quality time with him! If he continues to whine until you play with him, pet him, or feed him, your dog wants some love when you get home.
Your Dog Is Displaying Appeasement Behavior
Crying can be a sign of appeasement in dogs. Appeasement behavior is displayed when a dog feels stressed or threatened. If your dog’s behavior is accompanied by the licking of his lips or yawning, he feels the need to show that he’s submissive to you.
Your Dog Was Bored All Day
Dogs get bored quickly by themselves, so they are excited to see you when you return home. Think about it: if you were locked inside all day, with no access to the internet, books, or your friends, wouldn’t you be bored? Being alone for even an hour would feel like an eternity.
Does your dog have access to enough enrichment toys while you are away? If you find your toy bin lacking, it is a good idea to invest in some quality toys so you can alleviate some of your dog’s boredom.
Your Dog Is Curious
Dogs have no idea where you go all day, so when you come home, they may whine and jump on you to get a whiff of where you went. Allow your dog to sniff your hand and, if you are comfortable with the behavior, lick your face when you return home, so their curiosity can be satiated.
Why Do Dogs Cry When They See You After A Long Time
Dogs cry when they see you after a long time because they’ve missed you! Your dog has formed a positive association with you, and when you show up in their lives again, positive emotions rush through them. They are so overwhelmed that they begin to cry and whine.
Do Dogs Cry When They Are Happy
Dogs can cry when they are happy, but they also cry for many other reasons: they may feel nervous, excited, hungry or thirsty, or hurt. Pay attention to your dog’s body language to discern the cause of the crying. If he’s wagging his tail, he’s happy.
If he’s crouching, panting, or avoiding eye contact, he’s scared. If he’s trying to lead you towards his food dish and stops whining when you feed him or give him water, then he was hungry or thirsty.
If your dog favors a certain leg or has developed another odd, unexpected behavior, it could be a sign of a deeper problem. If you have any doubt about your canine’s health, you should bring your dog to the veterinarian right away.
Is Dog Crying A Bad Sign
Although dog crying may be a sign of separation anxiety, it is typically not a cause for concern.
Dog crying is simply one of the many ways dogs express their emotions, like how they wag their tail when they’re happy. It is natural, so there is no need to be worried unless they exhibit other signs of stress.
If he paces, pants, drools excessively, tears up the furniture, pees, and poops on the ground, or injures himself while you are away from home, your dog likely has separation anxiety. In this case, you should take him in to see a professional as soon as possible.
Why Are Dogs So Happy When You Come Home
Essentially a dog’s whole world revolves around you: you walk him, you pet him, you give him food and water, and most importantly, you play with him. When you come home, it’s like the whole world is coming home! He’s pleased because your presence means safety, food, and love.
How Do I Get My Dog To Calm Down When I Come Home
To calm your dog down when you get home, you must act calm yourself. Keep your voice low and move slowly. You may even want to crouch down to his level and pull him into your lap. This will signal to your dog that it’s time to calm down. If you mirror his excitement or yell at him, he will only grow more agitated.
Other Considerations
Dogs cry after being separated from their owners because they miss them! When they spend all day alone, with no one but their dog bed and the empty house for company, dogs can get lonely and bored. When you come home, and he begins to cry, he’s just trying to express his excitement at seeing you back.
Should I Punish My Dog For Crying
Sometimes, verbal reprimands are the best way to deal with doggy behavior, especially traits that have been learned over time. However, dog crying is a natural behavior and should not be punished.
That being said, if a dog whines excessively when you meet a new person, it can be annoying or embarrassing. While you can’t force your dog to be less excitable, you can diminish this behavior through two routes: 1) calm down your dog in the moment of introduction, or 2) teach your dog to redirect his excitement.
Calming Your Dog Down
You just entered your home, and now your dog is leaping around, barking, and crying. How do you calm him down?
Well, the easiest solution is to remain calm! Please don’t get angry with your dog or reflect on his overexcited behavior since this will only make him more energetic. Speak softly and pet him calmly. If necessary, pull him into your lap and hold him, firmly but gently. Once your dog is calm, then proceed further into your home.
Redirecting Your Dog’s Excitement
Many dog owners have discovered that redirecting their dog’s excitement, rather than suppressing it, is an effective way to create a calmer appearance when greeting someone.
One popular redirect is called “hand targeting.” Instead of jumping around and whining, you teach your dog to nose someone’s hand when they’re greeting the dog. Train your dog to nose your hand by rewarding him when he touches his nose to your hand.
When that step is completed, then associate the action (nosing your hand) with a command (“Greet!”). Whenever you come home, and your dog is riled up, say, “Greet!” and he’ll have a new way to express his excitement.
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