A dog won’t stop barking if you yell at them or punish them. Yelling at a dog when they’re barking will just confuse them further and often worsen the barking. Similarly, shock or bark collars don’t work long-term and are not recommended for use by Mad Paws. 

It’s normal to want to keep barking to a minimum, so take a read of these few strategies you can put in place to minimise the triggers for barking. 

But first, why do dogs bark?

Barking is a form of communication and a very normal behaviour, so it’s important to have realistic expectations when owning or caring for dogs. Normal barking should cause no concern, but if a dog is barking persistently you’ll need to investigate the cause to ensure nothing is wrong. 

Causes for your dog’s barking & how to help them

Barking can be caused by an array of things; boredom, frustration, attention seeking, information seeking, fear, overstimulation, pain and more. The key to stopping barking is understanding the cause which can be hard and offering an alternative solution. If you can’t determine the cause, offering an alternative activity is a good place to start. 

Things like traffic noise, neighbourhood dogs barking or people on the street can be triggers. You can utilise background noise to drown out external noise by keeping the TV on or having music playing.

Sight barriers are also a great way to eliminate triggers. Ensuring there are no holes in the fence, closing curtains and setting out-of-bounds areas are great ways to do this. 

If barking is non-stop and persistent even after you’ve tried multiple management techniques, be sure to consult a Vet. The barking could be caused by some illness, pain or another condition such as OCD.

Each reason for barking will need a different approach to help deter the barking, however for most of them you will need to work towards desensitising them to the trigger by distraction. 

• Barking out of boredom: You can increase the amount of enrichment and exercise the pet is getting to occupy them. If they’re not engaging in activities on their own, causing the boredom, you’ll need to work towards teaching them to do enrichment or other activities alone to curb boredom. Enrichment toys for dogs can assist with curbing boredom.
• Barking from frustration: Try to remove the issue that’s frustrating them. Often it will be a barrier so work on desensitising them to the frustration trigger. You can also use sight barriers so they can’t see ‘off-limits’ things or areas that are causing the frustration. Frustration can be caused by a pet not being able to do something they normally do, so you should also check for pain or health issues that might be prohibiting them.
• Attention-seeking barking: This can be an indicator of separation anxiety in dogs. Attention-seeking is difficult to stop unless you let the dog be with you at all times which isn’t always possible. To help ease it you can provide the dog with a comfy place to settle, maybe placing a warm hot water bottle under the bed, adding extra blankets or anything that makes it feel cosy like a cuddle.
• Information seeking: This is one of the hardest causes of barking to fix as we can’t communicate with them to answer their ‘questions’. Information barking is often very direct, up-close and personal and loud. Information-seeking barking can often lead to aggression since the frustration is likely to build up so the best approach is to settle the dog and spend some calm time with them. Try to form a bond, or win them over with treats and play so they’ll feel at ease in your company.
• Fear barking: This can lead to aggression quickly and will often be paired with growling or snarling. If a dog is fear barking, you must step away and give them space so they can feel safe and calm down. Slowly build trust with the pet while maintaining space and providing them with a safe space to feel safe and be undisturbed.
• Overstimulation barking: Often accompanied by jumping around or pacing. These are displacement behaviours where they behave in a certain way because they’re not sure how to react to their feelings. You should aim to settle the dog, calm them down and then separate them so they can spend some time alone to rest and re-calibrate. 

If the issue of excessive barking continues, it may be a good time to consider a Dog Trainer who can help identify the cause/s and provide techniques to help reduce the triggers.

Find a Dog Trainer near you >

The post How to control your dog’s barking appeared first on Mad Paws.

Australia (along with other countries such as New Zealand and the UK) now also pays special tribute to these unsung heroes with official War Animal Day held on 24th February each year. The intention of this date is to honour their memory by donating or simply talking to other people about the sacrifices that were made by animals, raising awareness and appreciation for their unwavering support. 

Although we’d all vehemently opt for no human or animal to be caught in conflict, these brave unsung heroes deserve to be remembered.

Who are the service animals?

Throughout history, we’ve witnessed the strength of human-animal bonds; the fact that even in the horrific conditions of conflict, our faithful companions stood alongside us is a credit to the dedication of these remarkable beings.

Dogs were among the most prominent service animals, but did you know that more than 16 million animals served in the First World War alone? These included horses, donkeys, mules, camels, dogs, cats, pigeons, canaries, and even exotic animals such as monkeys, lions, or bears.

Every one of these Anzac animals served an essential purpose in helping the troops to survive and ultimately achieve victory.

Horses, mules, donkeys and camels

Pack animals, such as horses, mules, and donkeys, worked to transport vital materials – like guns, ammunition, and medical supplies – over terrain that was impossible to traverse by motor vehicle.

Camels also made ideal transportation thanks to their strength and low maintenance requirements (e.g. they could survive for a long time without water). Not only did these animals transport supplies to the front line, they also transported wounded soldiers back to camp.

Pigeons

Animal alliances weren’t confined to the ground either; we had numerous winged warriors in our forces – most predominantly the pigeons who carried vital messages between troops. Wireless communication was in its infancy during the First World War, making communication almost impossible without these birds.

Even in WWII, pigeons were still vital for transporting messages across rugged terrain, such as mountainous areas where wireless radios didn’t work so well.

Dogs and cats

Other animals, such as dogs and cats of war, were mascots and companions to help raise morale in the most challenging circumstances. Not only did these faithful companions provide unconditional love and support for our vulnerable soldiers, but they also helped to reduce the number of rats in the trenches, helping to reduce one of the most common hygiene issues.

Why were dogs so crucial during times of conflict?

Every animal that has stood alongside us during times of conflict has played a significant role in aiding our soldiers to victory. Among the most famous companions are dogs, and there are many reasons why their heroic efforts often take centre stage.

Not only did our faithful friends provide companionship, but they also carried out several important tasks that we could not do alone.

For example, canines possess a sense of smell 50 times greater than ours, allowing them to sniff out deadly IEDs more efficiently than any machine we can create. The American Defense Department suggested that ground patrols can uncover around 50% of these explosive devices, while dogs can detect up to 80%.

Additionally, dogs were crucial in helping wounded soldiers. Not only could they locate the soldiers quickly, but they could also deliver urgent medical supplies and provide companionship to those who were incapacitated.

Remembering all furry unsung heroes

Wearing a purple poppy alongside your red one symbolises the bond between humans and animals and reminds us that many Anzac animals sacrificed their lives for us.

The great work of the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) helps to provide a voice for those with no voice of their own, and educate the general public on the sacrifices made by various animals for our benefit.

Buying a purple poppy from AWAMO helps to fund ways to honour these incredible sacrifices. Your donation could help pay for an animal memorial, it could fund the medical costs of an animal who has been injured on the front line, or it could be used to train support animals to offer companionship to those who have fought bravely during wartime.

Buy a purple poppy, or other commemorative items to show your support. Alternatively (or in addition), read more articles and view photographs from the Australian War Memorial website.

The post Acknowledging the four-legged unsung heroes of service appeared first on Mad Paws.

When it comes to teaching them the rules of life, how confident and competent are you? Come along with us as we take a short course in puppy training.

Your need-to-know guide to puppy training

Planning for a puppy is just as important as the day you take them home.  However, it’s no secret that puppies aren’t always planned for perfectly – sometimes they’re a surprise gift to help teach your kids responsibility, for example.

Regardless of your preparedness, there are a number of things you’re going to need to manage from Day 1. 

Taking care of puppies is a lot more work than older dogs. Energy levels, training, toilet habits, adaptability, and sleep habits mean you’re signing up for full-time care. Understanding puppy development allows you to be able to cater their care accordingly. 

Firstly, what age is considered a puppy?

A puppy is a canine under the age of 12 months. However, a puppy can technically be considered a puppy until 2-3 years old. But… breaking news! After a dog turns one and they begin to enter adolescence, they don’t automatically outgrow all those ‘puppy habits’ (if only it was that easy). So it’s safe to assume that any dog under the age of 3 isn’t going to be low maintenance.

Toilet training a puppy

Every dog has their own timeline for toilet training and if you have human children you’ll know it’s not a linear progress.

If a puppy is under 6 months old, they’re likely to be still cementing their toilet training. To minimise accidents you should try and keep a strict routine during this time. Changes in environment can confuse them – different surroundings and smells can encourage marking. Timing, area and materials are all important factors to keep consistent when toilet training your dog.

Puppies also don’t develop strong muscle and bladder control until about 4 months old, so they’re unlikely to be able to hold it all night until 4-5 months old. 

Just have assurance that it’s not uncommon for a pet to take a few steps back in training so don’t fret if this happens. 

Chewing & teething

It’s inevitable that puppies will chew! Whilst they may not rip through your couch, they will definitely have a go at nibbling anything they can get their paws on. This is because from 12 weeks old, puppies begin teething and chewing helps ease their discomfort. Their teeth are needle-sharp too, so their size is not a helpful indication of the level of damage they can do.

Boredom can be another cause of chewing, so if a dog is non-stop chewing they might be trying to stimulate or entertain themselves. If this happens you’ll need to provide more enrichment and or exercise.

And, remember, it’s totally normal that your puppy will lose their teeth, so don’t fret if you find little teeth around or a tooth comes out during playtime!

Puppies also go through a second teething phase starting at around 5-7 months old where all their adult dog teeth finalise coming through. This phase can last up to a year so it’s important to provide plenty of appropriate chewing outlets to avoid the dog searching for things to chew. 

Some easy options to help teething include; frozen carrots, rubber chew toys or a frozen wet washcloth tied in a knot. Or, find some chew toys made for puppies. Avoid things that can be destroyed easily or have little parts that are choking hazards.

If you find a puppy chewing on something they shouldn’t be, you need to offer them something else to chew on. They might not always be keen on what you offer so to help entice them, try to replicate the texture they were chewing on with the replacement. You’ll need to teach them what they are and aren’t allowed to chew on, which is much easier if all risky items like cords, human food, and shoes are out of reach. 

Exercise limitations

During early developmental phases if you over-exert a puppy, it can compromise their growth. Extreme levels of exercise or stress on joints can impact their ability to fully develop healthy bones & joints which can lead to issues down the track. So how much exercise do puppy dogs need? Short bursts of exercise are all they need – building up their fitness is a process. 

To protect their bones and joints in the early stages, it’s best to minimise risky behaviours such as; jumping off furniture, in or out of the car, rough play or anything else that risks jolting their joints. Puppy bones are fragile so be mindful of kids playing around them, big dogs wanting to play or other risky scenarios where they could be stepped or landed on. 

Overheating is another risk of over-exerting a puppy. Because they’re so small, it’s much easier for puppies to suffer from heatstroke so minimising exercise on hot days is a must! 

Sleep training

Sleep is crucial to puppies! While asleep their central nervous system is developing and they’re processing all they’ve learnt in their time awake. 18-20 hours of sleep a day is recommended for puppies, which means they should normally be up for an hour every 4-5 hours. Keeping a puppy awake in an attempt to ‘tire them out’ won’t work. They’ll just become overstimulated and it will cause more stress for both of you.

A puppy needs a safe and quiet place to sleep, so don’t place their dog bed in high-traffic areas like the middle of the living room. Ensure they can get undisturbed, quality rest. If kids and other dogs are around, ensure their sleeping spot is a ‘no go zone’. 

Training a puppy to sleep through the night can be tough, especially when they’re not able to hold their bladder yet. Keeping them confined to a safe secure space will help so they can’t wander aimlessly. You can’t attend to every cry the puppy lets out, but you need to know the difference between distress and attention-seeking. Always give the pup the opportunity to self-settle but never leave them in distress.

Socialisation (and habituation)

Socialisation of a puppy means teaching them how to respond to their environment properly, playing, and interacting with people and other pets. During their critical socialisation period (up to 20 weeks old) it’s crucial to ensure a positive environment and to nurture them throughout this time. 

When you practice socialisation, make it a positive experience. This simple approach means you can avoid your dog developing fears or undesirable behaviours.  Lots of encouragement, treats and taking things slow means you’ll help raise a well-rounded and confident dog.  

If there are other pets in your puppy’s home, you must help introduce your second dog to your home. Teach them boundaries so they’re not pestering older dogs or other pets. Reward healthy play habits and interrupt potential risky behaviours. 

Allowing play time with older, well-mannered dogs will help the puppy learn healthy play habits. Puppies being told off by other dogs is not always bad – as long as the puppy listens and follows-on, it means they’re learning. 

If the puppy is outside the critical period (21+ weeks old) you will still need to ensure a positive environment and provide encouragement. However hopefully the puppy will have built up some confidence so you’ll be able to continue rewarding them instead of teaching them.

Habituation is a component of socialisation that involves teaching the dog how to become accustomed to the environment. The goal of habituation is to get the dog not to react to things they might find overwhelming or confusing such as traffic, thunderstorms, new people approaching in public and so on.

Biting

Puppy biting is a part of teething and general puppy behaviour which should be deterred from a young age. Teething and wanting to chew is totally normal but it’s never safe to let a dog think it’s okay to bite or nip people, even if it is just play. Puppies have needle-sharp teeth so they can cause damage to skin very easily, which is why it’s important to be mindful around children or elderly who are more fragile.

Puppy biting can be hard to deter so it’s important to consistently interrupt the behaviour and provide an alternative. If a puppy is biting or nipping grab the closest chew toy and offer that as the alternative. By continuing to replace the behaviour the puppy will learn it’s not okay and to choose the toy first. 

Need some help to get through the puppy training period?

There’s no shame in outsourcing to help provide the best start to your puppy’s life. Training is important so finding a puppy or dog trainer near you may just make the beginning of your life together a little more manageable.

Because age is a huge factor in their play style, energy levels and manners, getting to know your puppy will take time. So as they grow from puppy to adulthood, the most important thing to remember is consistency. The reward at the end of their puppy years? A dog that will be the delight of your life!

The post Puppy training 101 appeared first on Mad Paws.

The more educated we are on pets and what impacts their overall health & well-being, the better care we can take of them. Read on for 10 things that you might not know are risky for dogs and why you should stop them!

#1 Sunbaking

Just like humans, dogs are at risk of skin cancer. Unnecessary or excess amounts of sun exposure increase their risk. Doggy sunscreen exists and is great to put on your dog’s nose/snout area to reduce the risk of sunburn and unhealthy sun exposure. 

Dogs regulate their temperature differently than humans and have different sweat glands, which are much less effective at cooling them down. They have two types of sweat glands and the ones in their paws are the most effective for cooling but not enough to properly regulate their temperature when exposed to extreme heat. 

As well as not having the ability to keep themselves cool, dogs don’t understand that lying in the sun and getting too hot is dangerous. This means they won’t always move out of the sun before overheating. Overheating is the biggest risk of sun baking for dogs, especially flat-faced breeds who have breathing problems. Overheating can also cause death in dogs – each dog will have a different threshold based on size, health etc but once heatstroke sets in, irreparable damage can occur. In severe cases, it can cause seizures, brain damage, organ failure, and death. 

How do you know how to spot and treat heat stroke in dogs? Excess panting, hot to touch, red gums, lethargy, excess drooling, loss of coordination, and seizures. If you’re concerned a dog is overheating, ensure you get them out of the heat as quickly as possible! Take them inside to a cool place, slowly cooling their body back down with cool wet towels and small amounts of water. If you’re unsure or concerned, take them straight to the vet. 

#2 Playing with the hose

A very common summer game with dogs is chasing the hose. However, this can be extremely dangerous for dogs as it can cause secondary drowning. Secondary drowning can occur from minutes to days after the event. It occurs because the dog inhales water which goes into the lungs and inhibits their ability to breathe. This can also happen if a dog swims too much or swims to the point of exhaustion and accidentally inhales too much water. The likelihood of inhaling water is increased by the energy of the activity. Jumping and running around means the dog is likely panting with a wide open mouth. 

A great alternative is to have a small kiddy or shell pool filled with a few centimetres of water to avoid inhaling water or drawing. Dogs should never be left swimming or near water unsupervised. The time that it takes for exhaustion to kick in and cause them to drown can be minutes. Giving your dog a good soak with the hose is also a great option if you don’t have space. 

#3 Walking with only a collar 

This is a good rule of thumb, but not as important for all types of breeds and ages. The two main risks from walking only on a collar (and not a harness) are choking or damage and the risk of slipping out. 

If a dog is pulling whilst walking with a collar on, it can cause whiplash as well as issues to their oesophagus, trachea, lymph nodes, and thyroid gland, and worsen symptoms for brachycephalic dogs. It’s unlikely the damage of one walk will cause severe issues but consistent damage on daily walks can cause serious issues like tracheal collapse, breathing issues, and swallowing problems. These risks are only when a dog is pulling on the collar, not from wearing a collar with no tension on it. 

Secondly, slipping out of collars is very common. Often even if a collar is fitted properly, a dog’s head and throat can be the same size which means if they pull hard enough they can slip out. Even the best-behaved dogs have this risk – if they get scared or decide to chase after a bush turkey they could slip out and run across the road or run off.

Take a read of this article from our friends at Pet Chemist to get the lowdown on dog walking essentials & accessories.

#4 Destroying toys unsupervised

The risk of leaving dogs unsupervised with toys is that they will consume part of the toy. They don’t always intentionally swallow part of the toy, but intentional or not it poses a risk for choking or an intestinal blockage or damage.

Big parts of the toy like eyes, squeakers or balls of fluff can easily get caught in a dog’s throat and cause them to choke. If a dog manages to swallow any of the parts, it can cause a blockage which can lead to death. An intestinal blockage in dogs can cause vomiting, their stomach to twist and other serious complications. The other risk is a rupture or damage to their insides. For example, a squeaker could scrape or rip their stomach lining which can lead to death, especially if left untreated. 

If you suspect a dog has swallowed a component or a whole toy visit a vet immediately. They will be able to determine if and what the pet has swallowed and take appropriate measures.

#5 Eating poop

Why do dogs eat their own poop? A question for the ages!

A gross but common behaviour for dogs is eating poop! Whether it’s their own, a random one on a walk or the possum poo in the yard, they’ve all done it at one point. This risks them ingesting parasites and germs they wouldn’t have otherwise been exposed to. 

If a dog is consistently eating poop it can be a sign of stress, hunger, fear or just because they like to do it. It’s best to consult a vet if the behaviour is consistent.

#6 Chasing wildlife

Chasing wildlife is a double-edged sword, posing risks for the dog and the wildlife. As dog guardians, it’s your responsibility to ensure the dog doesn’t put wildlife at risk. If a dog gets hold of a possum, a bird or another small animal it’s often going to result in the death of that animal. 

As well as the immense risk to the wildlife, it risks injury to the dog from scratches, bites and germs. If a dog gets into a tussle with a possum, bird or similar their desperate scratch attempts or claws can cause deep wounds prone to infection, damage or loss of eye and more.

The habit of chasing wildlife also increases the likelihood of risky behaviours like running across the road or jumping fences and escaping. 

#7 Jumping off furniture

It’s no question that we all love a snuggle on the couch or bed with the pups but letting them jump up and down onto or off furniture can be very dangerous. For breeds prone to issues – Dachshunds and back injuries, golden retrievers and hip dysplasia, dogs with previous injuries like a luxating patella (knee dislocation), or older dogs with or prone to arthritis – it’s crucial to minimise impact to their bones and joints. 

Jumping on and off furniture can be a daily occurrence so the damage builds over time. For higher-risk breeds, even one jump can cause serious injury. The damage occurs through the shock of the jump where the joints and muscles bear the impact. The bigger the difference in the ratio of size to pet and size to jump the more dangerous it is. Ie; jumping off a couch is much more dangerous for Dachshunds than a Great Dane. 

To minimise the risk you can introduce pet steps into your house and teach the dogs how to use them.

#8 Chewing on sticks

Chewing on sticks poses 4 main risks:

• Splintering in the mouth and causing infection or irritation 
• Breaking and lodging in areas like the roof of the mouth 
• Breaking and causing choking 
• Being swallowed and causing damage 

The chewing will inevitably cause the stick to break and splinter so the risk is not easily mitigated. The best way to prevent these risks is to not let dogs chew sticks. Give them something pet-friendly that’s intended for their teeth!

#9 Over-exercising

Over-exercising is hard to set parameters for when it comes to dogs. A Border Collie is going to have a vastly different threshold to a French Bulldog, for example. Not a common issue, but are you exercising your dog too much? Over-exercising can often lead to overheating. Over-exercising can also lead to muscle fatigue, dehydration, and joint issues. 

It’s pretty manageable to set limitations on exercise for pets, as long as they’re not running 8+ hours a day they’re not risking fatal limits. It’s important to understand the exercise needs of the individual dog and cater to this. Sometimes a 20-minute walk is enough and sometimes a 10km run isn’t enough!

#10 Eating grass or random items

Eating grass is not harmful to dogs on its own. However, eating grass out on walks means the dog could be ingesting pesticides, baiting, food scraps, and bees. Unless you know that there are no chemicals or uncertain foods in the grass it’s important to stop the dog from eating it. 

The same logic applies to random items out in public. There are all kinds of scraps around. Unfortunately, people leave bait and traps for dogs that contain poison and can quickly become fatal so it’s crucial to avoid the dog picking up high-risk bait scraps like raw meat, dog food etc. Similarly, scraps on the ground can be harmful – it could be a piece of chocolate or other toxic substances that a toddler unknowingly dropped.

The post 10 risky behaviours to stop dogs doing appeared first on Mad Paws.

Why do pets show destructive behaviours?

Destructive behaviour in pets always has a root cause, and understanding it will help prevent and manage it. A pet will often need to be taught how to utilise the replacement outlet you provide, showing them how to use it and continually re-directing them to it will dictate its success. 

Managing destructive behaviours in cats

Cats’ two main destructive behaviours are scratching and chewing both with various root causes. They can be trickier to deter or train than dogs, as cats can be known for their stubborn and self-serving nature. Like any animal, it’s best to raise them with these boundaries and habits but it’s never too late to stop destructive behaviour.  

Why do cats scratch?

Cats often scratch at furniture (specifically couches) and it occurs when they don’t have a reasonable alternative such as a scratching post. Scratching has a much higher chance of occurring when the cat moves environments because it’s a marking behaviour. Hosting cats creates increased risks because they’re much less habituated to the outside environment than dogs, so it’ll likely be more stressful and disorientating for them. 

To ‘stop’ scratching doesn’t mean to stop the cat from scratching altogether, it simply means stopping them from scratching anything they like and re-directing the behaviour to an appropriate outlet like a scratching post…instead of your couch! Re-directing the behaviour requires more than sticking a scratching post in the corner of the room. You must understand their preferences and teach them to use the replacement. To start, interrupt their scratching when it’s on the furniture and move them to the alternative. Follow up by rewarding them when they use the alternative. Keep this consistent, and in time they’ll learn to only use the alternative and the furniture will be safe. To prevent damage during the process you can place scratch guards or use a deterrent spray (such as citronella) on the areas to deter the cat from scratching there. 

Scratching can sometimes be a display of emotion, especially excitement, or to remove dead parts off their nails. These will be much shorter bursts of scratching and the excitement shouldn’t be deterred so ensure you’re extremely positive about it and continue to re-direct them.

Unwanted chewing behaviour in cats

Chewing is another destructive behaviour in cats. Like all animals, it’s very prevalent during the teething stages. They also chew to use their back teeth at all ages or to entertain themselves, which is why you should always provide safe opportunities for chewing. In addition to providing safe options, you should protect electrical cords, remove toxic plants, and keep valuables out of reach. Alternatives for cats to chew include soft toys, chewy treats, dental chews and cat-specific chew toys. To replace the behaviour, it’s the same as scratching, interrupting the inappropriate behaviour, providing the alternative and rewarding the use of the alternative. 

Excessive chewing in cats can be an indicator of poor dental health or gum disease. Other symptoms such as bad breath, bleeding gums, decreased appetite, poor grooming and not chewing meals, in addition to excessive chewing, should be checked by a vet. 

Play is an important component in preventing destructive behaviour in cats. Because they’re ‘hunting’ animals, interactive play is great at preventing boredom. Flirt poles, moving toys or hanging toys are great to keep them engaged and allow an outlet for energy and hunting desires. 

Managing destructive behaviour in dogs

Dogs’ destructive behaviours are more complex than cats, and due to size, can often be much more impactful. The top 6 destructive behaviours are: digging, barking, marking, jumping, chewing and escaping. Often destructive behaviour indicates that their needs are not being met and they’re trying to self-serve because their environment isn’t sufficient. Stopping these behaviours completely isn’t always the goal, though. Sometimes re-directing them is all that’s needed.

It’s important to remember that these persistent behaviours can be a dog’s way of trying to raise a red flag that something’s wrong, or at times just seeking information in an uncertain or new environment. Another reason dogs might do any of these behaviours is referred to as displacement behaviour, where a dog is overwhelmed with emotion and chooses that in an attempt to self-soothe in the way they grab a toy when people enter the home. 

Managing digging behaviours in dogs

Digging is an intrinsic behaviour for plenty of breeds – burrowing and hunting breeds especially. It also serves as entertainment and resource-seeking. Dogs can sometimes even ‘dig’ when there is nothing to dig (like on a bed or the carpet) and even think they can bury a bone in the couch. This is to make their bed more comfortable, scent mark or attempt to bury food, normal behaviours for all kinds of dogs. 

Digging is in a way a tool for dogs, who might dig to escape, seek resources and self-soothe. Re-directing the behaviour starts with understanding why they’re digging. Majority of the time it will be for entertainment and to fulfil those intrinsic behaviours. The most common solution is teaching them how to use the appropriate alternative, it’s a simple process. Start by interrupting when they dig in an inappropriate area, re-direct them to an appropriate area to dig and reward them when they use the replacement. Repeat this process until their first choice is the appropriate option. 

Alternative options include a kiddie pool full of sand or dirt, a snuffle mat, a sandpit, a designated digging spot in the garden or a DIY digging pit. Depending on the dog’s likes you can fill it with soft scraps, dirt, sand, balls, towels or whatever takes their fancy.

Unwanted or excessive barking in dogs

A very common behaviour that’s thought to be destructive in pets is barking. Barking is a very common self-soothing exercise for dogs which only re-inforces them to bark more since it makes them feel better. Barking is also a form of communication so they use it to express themselves or seek information. Unfortunately, dogs do not get tired of barking so waiting it out rarely ever works. 

Barking is often caused by stress and or boredom. The best way to avoid consistent barking is to keep the pet occupied, stimulated, well rested and fulfilled. Ensuring their basic needs, food, water, exercise and mental stimulation is a great start. Always having plenty of opportunities for play, rest and company is the next level to keeping them satisfied. 

If barking is caused by stress, the first step is to comfort them and help them settle. Whether you should reach for a toy, a treat or a cuddle is dependent on the dog and their preference. Dogs that are prone to stress or response barking benefit greatly from having music or noise on in the background to help fade the noises that are causing the barking. If a dog is barking at you consistently, they’re most likely information seeking, trying to make sense of what’s happening. This is common when a dog’s owner leaves for the first time or with strangers. Comforting them and providing calming stimulation activities should help them settle. 

When your dog is marking their territory

Marking is primarily common in male dogs, often exacerbated when there are existing urine smells around or in un-desexed dogs. Getting rid of urine odour is the key to avoiding future markings from other dogs, or repeats. Strong odour removal products and vinegar are the most effective. Believe it or not, household cleaning products won’t do a good enough job. A dog’s sense of smell is much stronger than ours so they’ll be able to pick up any hint of scent. 

The most common solution is teaching them it’s not okay to toilet inside – but don’t worry, it’s a simple process. Start by interrupting when you catch them they’re urinating (or about to urinate) inside, and re-direct them to an outside area to do or finish their business. Make sure you reward them when they do. Repeat this process until their first choice is outside. 

If the pet doesn’t correct their behaviour, you can utilise tools like belly bands or dog nappies with the owner’s permission. 

Unwanted jumping behaviour in dogs

Jumping can quickly become dangerous – knocking over children, furniture, or other pets – and is usually trained out of puppies thankfully. Unfortunately though, when a dog becomes overstimulated it can become jumpy and without regulating their emotions can get nippy. Jumping can also be a seeking behaviour, jumping for a toy or treat which isn’t a reflection of good manners. 

Jumping can be difficult to combat when caused by overstimulation. To start, the aim is to replace the destructive behaviours. Try to snap the pet out of that mindset by asking them to do something simple they’re familiar with, like sit. Ignoring the behaviour can also be useful. If they’re jumping, refrain from screaming, jumping back or reacting. Reacting to the behaviour can worsen the situation because if their intention is to seek attention, this teaches them that it works. 

If jumping is situational – like walking through the door when coming home – you need to implement a routine where the dog is calm before you greet them. Do this by asking them to sit when you walk through the door, rewarding the sit and then greeting them. Or waiting for them to stop jumping and then greeting them. There are multiple ways but which is most effective depends on the dog and the scenario.

Problematic chewing in dogs

Chewing is a very important behaviour for dogs. Like babies, it soothes them through painful teething phases and is crucial to their mental and physical health. Chewing is an intrinsic behaviour for dogs – great to help mentally stimulate them. Chewing releases endorphins for dogs and helps avoid boredom. This can become problematic, however, when they chew the wrong things such as furniture, toxic plants, clothes or valuables. Providing appropriate chewing outlets stops them from searching to fulfil their need on their own. Constant chewing on appropriate items helps maintain teeth and gum health for dogs too. 

Teething phases in dogs are present until 7-8 months old, so any puppy under the age of 1 has a higher probability of destructive chewing behaviours. Constant chewing and teething behaviour is often present until 18 months old when the dogs begin to enter adolescence. Nipping, biting and chewing can be signs of teething pain, so providing lots of chewing options and soothing chewing options (like frozen chews) can ease their pain. 

Opportunities to chew should be available for dogs at all stages of development, even older dogs need it. There are plenty of options, some need supervision and some don’t. Goat horns, pig ears, raw bones, dental chews, chew toys, frozen meat, frozen vegetables, long-lasting chews, chicken wings, chicken necks etc.  Supervising dogs when they have chews like a goat’s horn or a chicken wing is crucial to ensure they don’t swallow too big of a chunk that can damage their intestines or swallow it whole and choke.

Managing pets who are known for escaping

Escaping pets cause extremely dangerous situations. They run the risk of being hit by a car, being stolen, getting trapped, or getting lost too far from home. It’s common for pets to try to find their way home when they escape, but it can be extremely disorientating if in a new environment like a sitter’s home. If the dog has separation anxiety or an extreme bond to their owner, they might try to escape any new environment. 

Pet proofing the home is the best way to prevent escapees, ensuring you can supply secure fencing and keep doors and windows locked etc. Always use caution when entering or leaving the home – often pets slip through the door unsuspectingly! If a pet is prone to escaping, ensure they have a name tag with a number and or address. Having a handful of temporary ones to place on pets in your care with your details is always helpful. There are also more extreme options like trackers or air tags to be able to find them in the unfortunate event they do escape.

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All the research that’s gone into human mental health over recent years has shown how significantly pets can benefit people – including all the great reasons why we should utilise them in therapies. The more we grow to love and value our pets, the more research gets invested into them and now we have a comprehensive understanding of intrinsic behaviours in pets to help care for them. 

The proof is undeniable that pets can improve our mental health. Sometimes all a pet has to do is walk by to spark a smile. However, it’s a symbiotic relationship and often not acknowledged enough just how much of an impact humans can have on pets’ mental health. 

How people’s mood and behaviour impacts a pet’s mental health

We know that our actions, training and daily routine can majorly impact our pet’s mental health – a simple example is how severe the repercussions of punishment training can be. Because our pets become so bonded to us and depend on us, our mood, behaviour and body language often impacts theirs. This is referred to as ‘synchronised emotions’, where our pets sense our emotions and mirror them. They’re able to do this by picking up on a change in scent coming from body odour, hormone changes, or physical attributes like; increased heart rate, heavy breathing, tone of voice or yawning. They do this because they trust us. If they sense we’re stressed, they assume there’s something to be stressed about. Or, if we’re calm, they’ll feel at ease in their environment. This isn’t always the case though. Some cats and dogs are more confident or less reliant and therefore our emotions won’t have such a significant impact.

Our impact can go beyond synchronised emotions, because pets mirror us often without understanding the root of the emotion. A consistent sad, stressful or overwhelming environment can cause long-lasting issues like anxiety, depression and even OCD in pets. With that said, however, environment and people are not the only factors that can cause mental health issues in pets. 

How our actions can impact a pet

As their carers, it’s our responsibility to manage our pet’s mental health (or those in our care). Whilst our mood and emotions have a huge impact, our actions and treatment of animals can also have a huge impact. Creating a sense of fear in our pets can be detrimental to their mental health and dangerous. Fear can create unpredictable, dangerous and undesirable behaviour such as biting, stress urination and reactivity. This is why it’s crucial to only use positive training techniques and manage our emotions to ensure we don’t take out anger, stress or emotions on our pets.

Pets have developed well past the point of simply providing companionship for humans. They’re capable of providing therapy, assistance, medical assistance, security and much more. It’s hard to ignore the impact when you see how well equine therapy works for inmates, the sniffer dogs at airports, feline therapy or guide dogs. Various studies have proven pets’ ability to improve our mental health. Johns Hopkins Medicine speaks to one study where 84% of patients with PTSD paired with a service dog reported a significant reduction in symptoms and 40% were able to decrease their medications.

The relationship between people and pets is good for our health!

How pets have such a significant impact is no mystery. It’s primarily linked to oxytocin, the hormone known for the feelings of love and trust. Many studies over the years have revealed that something as simple as looking into a pet’s eyes or petting them can increase the release of oxytocin. And, it goes both ways, interacting with humans can have the same hormonal impact for pets. Similarly, interacting with a pet can reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone. The benefits of lower cortisol levels can also lead to improvements in physical health, such as lower blood pressure and increased cardiovascular health. The long-term impacts of lower cortisol levels and increased oxytocin are what help combat conditions such as; anxiety and/or depression, or manage symptoms for disorders like PTSD and OCD. 

The medical world has taken advantage of this knowledge and implemented it in the following ways: resident therapy dogs, visiting therapy pets, and out-patient programs at hospitals. Organisations like Delta Therapy Dogs are instrumental in aiding these opportunities and making them accessible to as many people as possible. 

Mental health extends beyond labelled issues; social skills, confidence, management of emotions and much more can benefit from pets. A great example is therapy or assistance pets sitting with children while they read, helping them build confidence and feel comfortable reading out loud. Some progressive shelters have even implemented reading programs where children come and read to the pets, helping the children build confidence while providing enrichment time for the pets. Prisons all over the world have pet rehabilitation programs. Some programs help the inmates learn skills and benefit from spending time with pets, while others rehabilitate them both – pairing rescue or retired animals like dogs and horses with inmates. 

Understanding how people impact pets’ mental health, and vice versa

Understanding this symbiotic relationship is key to managing peoples’ and pets’ mental health. Understanding the impact one another can have means your actions and emotions should be managed accordingly. 

The post People and pets: How they impact each other’s mental health appeared first on Mad Paws.

Common advice to walk your dog at least once a day is a great start, however it doesn’t provide the complete and balanced mental stimulation that dogs need.

Combining mental and physical stimulation for dogs

Mental and physical exercise for dogs can often crossover and it’s great if you can meet both needs in any given activity. The key to a healthy, happy dog is having a holistic approach to their well-being to ensure all their boxes are being ticked. Dog mental health has had some light shed on the gravity of it from COVID, with Australia’s pet population experiencing more separation anxiety than ever due to lockdowns.  If we’re not mentally stimulating our dogs, they’re at risk of developing anxiety, depression, OCD and displaying unwanted behaviour as a result. 

What mental stimulation does your dog need?

Every dog has different mental stimulation needs, and a good place to start with determining what they need is their breed. Certain breeds are born with characteristics in their DNA like herding, scent hounds or even companionship. If they don’t have an appropriate opportunity to satisfy these desires they’ll attempt to fulfil themselves and this can quickly become problematic.  

Physical exercise is easy to achieve – walking, running, swimming, and playing are all simple to get your dog to join in on. These are all activities you can incorporate into your daily routine, and something you know you’re signing up for when you get a dog. Physical exercise is essential to maintain their health. Without it, they’re at risk of obesity, heart complications, diabetes, joint issues and more. 

Mental stimulation can be more difficult depending on the dog, knowing what they need, encouraging them to engage, teaching them how to do it, knowing what their quota is and having access to the tools to do it.

For example, living in the suburbs with a herding dog like a Kelpie means fulfilling their need to work, herd animals, and exert excess amounts of energy can be extremely hard to do. A working breed dog can take 2-3 years to be fully trained to work with livestock, and that’s with year-round training so expecting them to be happy and settled in a small yard or apartment with no job to do isn’t going to happen overnight.

On the other hand, some breeds were bred for companionship and their mental requirements are tied to being with people where an ideal activity could be visiting hospitals or schools as a therapy dog. 

The good news is… with the popularity of pet ownership in Australia, there are continually new developments, products, services and ideas to help our dogs. There are plenty of options to incorporate into your daily life to mentally stimulate them. Snuffle mats, lick mats, food puzzles, and interactive games are a great place to start for beginners. As you and your pet progress, you can work your way up to more difficult tasks. These all aim to teach problem-solving and encourage the use of other senses like scent and feel. 

Ideas for mental stimulation for dogs

Training is also a great source of mental stimulation, diving into more tricks, training games and even agility will get your pooch thinking and help achieve a sense of accomplishment. Simple tricks to start with (after basic manners) are: shake, spin, speak, stand, play dead…the list is never-ending! Training is also a fantastic bonding experience, so it will strengthen your relationship. Training games are a great way to increase engagement, leave it, find it, hide and seek, or even learn a ‘dance’ routine together are a great way to help your dog achieve that sense of accomplishment and fulfil their desire to work. Another option that can combine physical and mental stimulation is agility, which provides an opportunity to explore different surfaces & heights, and works on balance, concentration and memory if doing courses. 

Mental stimulation needs in dogs, according to age

The level of mental stimulation a dog needs fluctuates across their life, age and events will be the big two determining factors. For example, puppies are naturally very curious and explore so they provide a lot of mental stimulation themselves. Where needed, learning how to tire out your puppy can also help to provide extra stimulation to keep their energy at bay.

However, older dogs who might have arthritis or aren’t as active will need more options provided to them to achieve that stimulation. Events related to health will be very influential, for example, a dog recovering from surgery or illness who might need to have restrictions on physical exercise will require a lot of mental stimulation to keep them occupied and avoid restlessness and frustration. 

Both mental and physical exercise are equally as important, satisfying each dog’s specific needs is about treating them as an individual and catering their exercise and activities to their needs and desires. It’s important to not limit dogs either, just because they were bred for one thing or enjoy one thing this shouldn’t limit them, provide a variety of outlets and utilise what works for them.

Looking for someone to help provide a balance of physical and mental stimulation for your dog?
Enlist the help of a Mad Paws Pet Sitter near you >

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As a pet parent, curating their ideal environment and meeting their physical and mental needs is more important than ever.

How environment impacts a pet’s behaviour

Dogs are highly influenced by their environment. Their sensitivity to environmental changes is dependent on their upbringing and previous experiences. Every component of an environment can impact a dog’s behaviour, and understanding how each component can impact a dog is crucial for their carer to create the ideal environment for them and or help them manage challenges in their environment. Dogs thrive off routine so the more consistent and calm their environment is, the better. 

Why is consistency and calmness so important? 

Dogs rely on routine – if they don’t have routine or consistency their behaviour can be as unpredictable as their environment. A consistent baseline is ideal. Feeding, walking, sleeping and the other basics happening at the same time each day can help a dog adapt to changes. If these essentials are inconsistent, however, it can be problematic.

When a dog doesn’t feel secure in their environment and feels like their needs aren’t being met, their behaviour will reflect this and they will seek to fulfil them themselves. This can manifest in unfavourable ways such as confusion, frustration, resource guarding or destructive behaviour. It can also manifest in the pet shutting down or refusing to do simple things like drinking water.

How important is socialisation?

How well a dog is socialised will influence their behaviour. Early exposure to diverse environments, people, animals, and stimuli helps dogs develop social skills, confidence, and resilience. Socialisation can be done at an older age if necessary, but is optimal in the critical learning stage of 0-20 weeks old. A lack of proper socialisation can lead to fear, anxiety, and aggression later in life. Socialisation and habituation go hand in hand. When done correctly, they will teach a dog how to confidently deal with the human world and have healthy boundaries for things like play and food.

How changes in environment can impact a pet’s behaviour

As each dog is an individual so is their response to their environment. This is where the responsibility falls on the carer to know the dog and cater to them. As a Pet Sitter, knowing their routine, regular environment and how well they cope with change is key to avoiding any behavioural issues.

With any change in environment – moving home temporarily, Owners leaving, living with other pets – a behaviour change should be expected. 

The top 3 major changes for a Pet Owner, Pet Sitter or carer to consider are home changes, living with other pets and carer changeover. Proactive measures are the best way to minimise a negative reaction to the changes. 

Tips for helping a pet adjust to a changing environment

Here are our top tips to understand how environment impacts a pet’s behaviour and how to help them adjust to change.

Change in a home:

• Bring their bed, food & water bowl, favourite toy or any other daily items that can bring them comfort and a sense of normality.
• Conduct a pre-visit so they can have a positive experience and create a sense of familiarity when they return.
• Go slowly – come in and spend some time settling the pet with you and ensuring they’re okay.
• Keep their same routine. Try to keep feeding, walking and bedtime at the same time so there is some consistency for them.
• Maintain boundaries and mimic what rules they know and understand. For example, not letting them on the couch if they’re not allowed usually.

Living with other pets: 

• Do a slow introduction for each new pet entering the home. 
• Ideally, allow the pets to meet in a neutral environment beforehand.
• Ensure each pet has a place they can go to rest or sleep where the others can’t disturb them. This is particularly important, as having a sanctuary that theirs will create a sense of safety and security. 
• Keep the pets separated when feeding them. 
• Monitor the pets to ensure they’re getting along.
• Ensure the space is adequate for the amount and size of pets living/staying there.

Carer changeover: 

• If it’s a Pet Sitting booking, organise a Meet & Greet before the booking. If you’ve got time, do regular dog walks or occasional visits to build a bond before the booking starts.
• Be super positive – you want to create a ‘Santa Claus’ persona in the eyes of the dog! Making them feel that you are someone who is comforting, gives treats and cuddles, and looks forward to spending time with them.
• Maintain consistency – attempt to keep the same habits the Owner or previous carer has, such as sleeping in the bed or playing tug which strengthens your bond.
• Respect their boundaries. A dog might not be as comfortable with you as they are their Owner or a previous Carer so don’t rush into things like putting their harness on or picking them up. Listen to their body language and only engage in affection when they ask for it.

Consistency is key when managing a pets behaviour

Eating, drinking, sleeping and exercise habits are what you should prioritise keeping consistent. With any environmental change, if a dog is stressed, one of the first things that will change is their appetite. Like when a dog is nervous around someone new and won’t take treats. When a dog moves environments, they might not know where the water bowl is so it’s important to show them where it is and to keep an eye on how much they’re drinking. If a dog is too unsure to drink, you can always add water to their meals to ensure they’re not dehydrated.

When introducing change, make sure you recognise how environment impacts a pet’s behaviour and ensure you take an accommodating approach. Never just assume that the dog will act exactly as they do at home or as their Owner said, and cater the environment to suit and fill their needs. 

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Still, your bed isn’t the only place your dog might choose to sleep, and sometimes there are underlying causes of these behaviours. 

For example, a common reason why dogs like to sleep next to their owners is that they fear separation anxiety. Understanding the difference between these reasons can help you decide whether sharing your bed is the right thing for your pup.

Why Does My Dog Sleep So Close To Me?

One of the most common ways dogs show loyalty and affection towards their owners is by sleeping close to them. This behaviour is normal and can be seen in almost all dog breeds, but the reasons they do it can vary. Here are some of the most common.

Canine Pack Instincts

Dogs have an innate pack instinct, which is why they often sleep next to their humans. This instinct results from thousands of years of evolution and has been passed down through generations. It’s a way for dogs to show their loyalty and bond with their owners, as well as provide them with a sense of security.

The pack instinct also explains why dogs often sleep in tight spaces, such as on the bed or in a corner; it makes them feel safe and protected from potential predators or dangers. This behaviour is prevalent in puppies who are still learning to trust humans and rely on them for protection.

When a puppy is born, it sleeps alongside its littermates. This behaviour carries over into adulthood, where they look for a safe spot to sleep close to their human family members. Sleeping next to you makes your dog feel the same security it experienced with its littermates at birth.

To Protect You

Dogs have been loyal and protective companions to humans for centuries, with an instinctive need to protect us from harm, whether it’s physical or emotional. One of the ways dogs show their loyalty and protection is by sleeping next to humans; they are instinctively aware that if something threatens their owner, they will be able to alert them quickly and possibly even fight off the threat.

This protective instinct is rooted in evolution, with dogs evolving from wolves who worked together to hunt and protect their pack. This could be why we often see dogs barking at strangers or putting themselves between us and potential threats – it is a natural behaviour ingrained in them and passed down through generations of domesticated dogs.

Jealousy

Research has shown that dogs can display jealousy when their owners pay attention to other animals or people.

Jealousy is a powerful emotion that can lead to various behaviours in dogs, including sleeping next to their humans. If a dog becomes jealous of another pet or person, they will often seek out their human for comfort and security – this is their way of re-establishing their place in the pack and showing loyalty to their human.

This behaviour is most commonly seen in dogs raised in single-dog households with a strong bond with their owners. In these cases, the jealous behaviour may indicate the dog’s possessive nature and desire for more attention from its owner.

Separation Anxiety

Dogs are social animals, and they have evolved to form strong bonds with their owners. When a dog is separated from its owner, it can experience feelings of anxiety and loneliness, resulting in the dog wanting to sleep next to its owner to seek comfort and security. By sleeping next to their owners, dogs can get the reassurance they need that they are safe and secure even when apart.

Separation anxiety is a widespread problem and can be a source of great distress for both the dog and the owner. It is caused by a fear of being left alone and can manifest itself in various ways, such as:

• Excessive barking or howling.
• Urinating or defecating in the house.
• Chewing, digging, or engaging in other destructive behaviours.
• Pacing.
• Escaping (or trying to escape).

It is important to understand the causes of this issue so that owners can take steps to help their pets cope with their anxiety.

How Can I Reduce My Dog’s Need To Sleep So Close To Me?

There are positive and negative reasons your dog might sleep close by, so it’s not necessarily a “bad” thing. Still, many owners question whether or not they should let their pup sleep alongside them. 

Maybe it’s summer, and rising temperatures make snuggling up next to your pup a little bit too warm, or perhaps you’re concerned that your dog’s need to sleep next to you stems from an underlying anxiety. Either way, there are some steps you can take to make your dog comfortable in their own space.

Reward Them For Sleeping In A Different Area

Training a dog using a rewards-based system is an effective way to teach your pup life skills and good behaviours, such as sleeping through the night or responding to your commands.

Rewarding your dog with treats when they sleep in their own bed will help them to associate this behaviour with something positive. You can also praise and pet them when they sleep in their bed, which will help reinforce the desired behaviour.

Additionally, providing a comfortable and inviting sleeping space for your dog will make it more likely that they will choose to use it. This means finding the right area and bedding options for your pup. For example, a calming dog bed is a great way to allow your dog independence while providing them with an environment that feels safe and comforting.

With patience and consistency, you can help your pup learn to enjoy sleeping in their own bed!

Treat Separation Anxiety 

If you suspect that your pup is suffering from separation anxiety, it is vital to seek professional help. Still, there are also some simple steps you can take at home to help ease their distress:

• Provide them with a special treat (like an interactive toy) that they can only play with when you’re not home.
• Keep it low-key when you arrive at and leave the house. Try to limit the amount of attention you give your dog when you come back.
• Give them some comforting items while you’re away – such as clothes that smell like you.
• Talk to your vet about natural supplements, such as Zylkene. 

By understanding the signs of separation anxiety and implementing strategies such as providing a safe space for your dog, providing them with toys or treats to keep them occupied, and creating a calming environment for your pet, you can help reduce their stress levels when they are left alone.

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This is one example of the importance of knowing your pet in every situation, and understanding their body language and triggers.

The biggest responsibility of a pet owner or carer is to be their advocate. Pets can’t speak for themselves and often people struggle to read their body language, leaving the pet’s guardian with the responsibility to speak and stand up for them to ensure they can live their happiest and safest life.

To help be the best advocate you can for your pet, evaluating characteristics like arousal levels in dogs will help give a clearer picture when it comes to knowing what to do in any given situation.

Understanding arousal levels in dogs:

Arousal levels are a dog’s level of excitement and mental control, it can completely control their behaviour, if a dog’s arousal level is too high their reasoning can go out the window. The goal is always to avoid hyper-arousal (the red zone) – this is the point at which a dog can not calm itself down and create a logical thought. 

Managing a dog’s arousal level is about more than avoiding a negative reaction from them but it’s also about creating a positive experience for them. As pet guardians, it should be our top priority to make their life as stress-free and positive as possible. Arousal levels in dogs needs to be front of mind in every aspect of our pet’s lives, not just training or when out of the house. The aim is for dogs to be in the green zone as much as possible, this will enable them to get proper rest in the home, enjoy their walks and cope with the everyday human lifestyle. 

A big component that affects arousal levels is our mood, body language and interactions with the dog. Dogs often appear to mimic our mood, this is because they can sense our mood through body language and even scent. This is not the dog mirroring us, this is them trusting our tone so if they sense you are stressed they will be on high alert and vice versa if they sense you are relaxed they are more likely to be relaxed.

This is why it is so important to manage our mood and body language in stressful situations so as not to aggravate the dog’s stress levels in an unideal circumstance. A great example of this is setting the tone for a walk, if you over-excite the dog whilst getting ready for a walk it will start the walk over-stimulated or in the yellow to orange arousal zone and this means the next trigger on the walk good or bad can send them into hyper-arousal. 

Maintaining arousal levels in dogs throughout the day looks different for every dog, it starts with the basics of making sure they’re fed, have water, and get adequate mental and physical stimulation and then it gets more specific to their daily routine. Making sure the basic needs are met creates a great base level to work on for the rest of the day. To be proactive, start by looking at the day ahead and consider the potential or unavoidable triggers for the dog, as simple as vacuuming the house or that it’s bin pick-up day. Then put an action plan into place, occupying them with enrichment or other comforting activities to keep them calm and happy whilst the trigger is occurring. This might take a few goes for them to learn so it helps to work on the proactive behaviour before you need it! 

Managing arousal levels is the best plan of action, however, it’s unrealistic to expect nothing will go wrong so to be able to bring arousal levels down explore what decompression activities work for that pet and keep them handy. Sometimes it might mean not going for a walk and just staying home to play to avoid external factors escalating the situation or it may mean going for a sniff walk for decompression it is purely dependant on the dog and their habits. 

Advocating for your dog

The biggest responsibility of a pet owner or carer is to be their advocate. Dogs can’t speak for themselves and often people struggle to read their body language, this leaves their pet guardian with the responsibility to speak and stand up for them to ensure they can live their happiest and safest life.

Often this can seem confronting, asking strangers in public not to approach or having to say no to that excited little kid who wants to play but it’s crucial to our pet’s wellbeing. The key to being able to advocate properly is knowing the pet well, knowing their regular routine, what they don’t like, their subtle body language cues and much more. A proactive approach to avoid negative experiences is going to be extremely beneficial for the pet short and long term. 

This goes for all pets not just dogs, nowadays people walk all kinds of pets, and everyone has to go to the vet once in a while so getting comfortable speaking up for any pet in your care is important.

Advocating for your dog or pet means putting their needs first, there is no obligation to put them in a situation for the benefit of someone else. This means you do not have to stop on a walk to let people pet them, let other dogs approach or allow anything to happen that might trigger, upset or overstimulate the dog.

The top tips for advocating above detail the easiest ways to ensure you can safely and proactively advocate for them, gaining the confidence to speak up can be difficult so proactivity helps avoid confrontation for you and the dog. 

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