Feeling Safe -The Hidden Key to Your Dog’s Well-Being
My sweetie dog Gunnar
We often assign many different labels to dogs, such as being the “Alpha”, being submissive, and so on.
I don’t believe that a dog is always the alpha, for example. We may observe assertive, submissive, or fearful behavior, depending on the circumstances and stimuli. My understanding is that there are two primary modes that affect dogs’ behavior: the feeling of safety and the feeling of danger.
Behavior is very strongly affected by how safe an animal feels. Feeling insecure can exacerbate existing fears or lead to the development of new ones. Insecurity also undermines the ability to learn, and the stress it causes can have both physiological and behavioral consequences. A sense of safety is vital to overcoming fear.
You’re probably aware of the term” from the neck up”. This also applies to our canines. The main sensory experiences happen in the head region: sniffing, biting, chewing, licking, and, of course, vocalizing. When a dog is very fearful, they are often not aware of their body below the neck. You might see a rigid posture, cowering, possibly lunging, not being on all four feet, to name a few.
So how can we create a sense of safety for our dogs?
Here are some pointers:
Create a routine that includes adequate exercise and downtime
Avoid flooding the nervous system - learn about stress signals, pay attention to your dog’s body language
Allow our dog to choose being petted or being picked up
Be mindful of your own neediness for physical affection from your pets
Coach your visitors about the dos and don’ts of approaching our dog
Avoid forced leash meetings with other dogs
Be ALERT and watchful when you’re in a dog park; don’t scroll on your phone.
Try a TTouch wrap or a thunder shirt to support sensory integration and a sense of safety
Consider calming supplements and remedies
Scan yourself for internal stress and tension, which might be mirrored in the demeanor of your dog
Rule out medical issues
Accept your pup; nobody is perfect.
Questions? Please reach out
Pablo with his TTouch Wrap
Here is my dog Pablo modeling a TTouch half wrap - a thunder shirt is too overwhelming for his nervous system. He wore this wrap frequently in the first year of living with us because he became overstimulated in a millisecond by almost everything - sounds, people, and other animals.
Over time, Pablo learned to reset his nervous system.
Does he still get over-aroused? Yes, but less frequently.
Does he still go into autopilot with a sense of danger? Yes, once in a while, BUT he recovers - quickly.
Pablo learned to relax! And it goes without saying that I love him to the moon and back.
Pablo has since crossed over. His gentle lessons live on in my heart, and his spirit is with me every day.
Need more help? Schedule a complimentary discovery session.
And now go fetch!
