Because they are pack animals, they howl to alert other canines of their presence, either for dominance of the area (and the hunting rights of it), or because they feel alone and need company. So next time your dog howls, he is probably telling you he values your friendship.
If something is bothering him or he is in a stressful situation, like the dog is dying or his owner has left him for a long period of time, then it is possible that your dog may express his anxiety or stress by walking around in a circle.
This is due to the beginning of their organs shutting down. They no longer have the sensation of hunger or thirst. You can try to keep them hydrated by giving them water in a dropper or turkey baster.
Some dogs may begin to experience seizures at the end of their lives. This can be due to metabolic imbalances from conditions such as kidney failure or due to problems with the brain itself. Depending on the cause and its severity, these seizures may or may not respond to treatment.
“They search every face in the room for their loved person. They don't understand why you left them when they are sick, scared, old, or dying from cancer and they need your comfort.” The vet added that owners should not be a “coward” and to do the right thing by comforting their pets.
There are no rules set in stone. Some dog owners report a surge of energy a few days prior to a dog's death. The dog suddenly walks or eats and appears to have more energy.
From these patterns of strange behavior, a myth arose that dogs approaching the end of their life prefer to be alone as they seek out a quiet, solitary, peaceful place to die. Furthermore, the prevailing opinion is that dogs that die of old age die painlessly, and without any suffering.
He may become cranky and difficult to handle, either due to pain or disorientation. Some dogs seek out the comfort and company of their humans to the point of clinginess, while others become more solitary and seek quiet corners to be alone.
Dogs can show a variety of behavioral changes when they are dying. The exact changes will vary from dog to dog, but the key is that they are changes. Some dogs will become restless, wandering the house and seeming unable to settle or get comfortable. Others will be abnormally still and may even be unresponsive.
The Dog Has a Loss of Appetite It is common for a dog to lose their appetite in their final days, particularly if they are experiencing nausea or pain. Even a general feeling of malaise can make your pup less inclined to get up and eat.
Also, some pet owners have reported a final surge in energy just before the end. Their dogs suddenly start eating or playing again, making them think everything is well before passing away. What is this? Often the behavioral traits seen before make a return and are more pronounced before your dog eventually succumbs.
Dogs and cats rarely “die peacefully in their sleep,” and they do not wander off in order to spare our feelings.
The dog suddenly walks or eats and appears to have more energy. As pleasant as this perking up may be, it's often short-lived and not a sign of getting better, rather, it's often a sign of nearing death—the signs of dying return and are often more pronounced.