Today, I will write about what to do in a chronic stress situation.
Identifying and removing the source of stress is the crucial first step in dealing with chronic stress in your dog.
The source of chronic stress can be, m.in, staying in a shelter, homelessness or living in terrible conditions (on a chain at a kennel or in a pen). It can also be a lack of social skills caused by being taken away from the mother too quickly and/or a lack of socialization. A dog can also be stressed by the arrival of a new household member, arguments, or a tense atmosphere at home. Some dogs don’t mind staying home alone, but it’s a very stressful experience for others. Failure to meet basic needs is also a source of chronic stress. (I wrote about dog needs on the blog on September 22, 2024)
As you can see, there can be many sources of stress, and sometimes, they are not easy to determine. If you are in this situation, make an appointment with an experienced behaviourist*.
If the source of stress was unmet needs or the fear of staying home alone, then solving the problem would automatically eliminate the stress.
It is slightly different in the case of trauma. After eliminating the cause of stress, such as staying in a shelter, many dogs need a lot of time (usually about 3 months) to recover.
Here’s how you can help them:
– make sure you meet all the needs of your pet (read the entry from September 22, 2024);
– Be patient. Give your dog time; try not to force him to do anything. Let him decide for himself when he is ready, e.g. to approach you, let you pet him, etc.;
– provide him with a safe place. One where no one will disturb him. When the dog lies down there, please do not talk to him, approach him, touch him, etc. It is supposed to be a place where the dog will feel safe;
– Learn the basics of dog body language. This will help you understand your friend better, and it will be easier for you to react appropriately;
– speak in a gentle tone, try not to make sudden movements;
– Take care of your daily routine, some fixed elements. Repetition and predictability help the dog build a sense of security;
– provide the dog with chews, offer to play with the kong (throwing, biting, licking calm down);
– look for sniffing games on the web and offer them to your dog (sniffing work calms you down and builds confidence);
Check if Nose Work classes are in your area and consider signing up. By participating in the classes, you will establish a deeper relationship with your friend, get to know each other better, trust each other more, and have a good time achieving further success together. It really means a lot in any therapy.
Good luck!
* If you need help, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me:
Email: info@baronsacademy.com
Tel. / WhatsApp: +48 509-989-639 lub +44 (0)7591 6373 50
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