Shih tzu very nervous

Thank you all for your replys. She is a rescue dog who we have had 15 months. She was quite withdrawn when we got her but has blossomed over the last year into a friendly outgoing dog. She recently had a health check when her boosters were done and physically seems fine. She is aware that the relative is no longer there as we are now sorting out the property so we are still going and is probably picking up on the sadness. Hopefully as things settle down she will too , she's a lovely dog who didn't have such a great start so looks like we'll be spoiling her even more !

DH's dog, Peggy is showing signs of anxiety due to his long spell in hospital. At the moment she's curled up in his chair looking mournfully at me and if I go to the loo she will sit outside. She stays close to my side in the garden rather than charging about and chasing tractors (when she gets the chance)

She was overjoyed when he came home last weekend and her normal mischievous character soon returned but he was recalled by the hospital after only 24hrs because his blood culture results were not showing enough improvement so she is obviously picking up on my own disappointment and anxiety.

I'd check with the vet that there's no underlying problem, Elliebeth but it might be that as soon as your sadness lifts a little the dog will respond accordingly.

Oh bless her, she is trying to tell you something is wrong.

Take her to a vet straight away to get her checked out.

I had one of these dogs and they are adorable so faithful loving and great fun. Please please please get her checked out, hate to think she may be ill.

Although your dog may not realise there has been a death she will pick up on your anxieties. As BlueBelle said get her checked by the vet first to exclude physical problems.
Then you can work on reducing her anxiety, don't reinforce her behaviour.
Good luck.

Well the friend dying is a very long shot, and sounds highly unlikely If this behaviour is not normal for the last three years something has changed so I would think a visit to the vets is the answer, she may not be well, and you can’t second guess that, her symptoms are trying to tell you something

Has she always been nervous ?

Does she socialise with other dogs and people?

Are you ‘rewarding’ her behaviour? Our little spaniel had some anxiety issues but we worked with a behaviourist and had some amazing results. But what became obvious was we were contributing to the behaviour so perhaps look at how you react to the behaviours you mention ?

As a dog owner I believe they are sensitive to how humans feel and if there is grief maybe they feel it.

How would a dog know that a close family member had died?

Have you had your dear little dog's ears checked?

Bunged up ears could bring on the symptoms you describe.