“Any intrinsic or extrinsic stimulus that evokes a biological response is known as stress” – Yaribeygi, H., Panahi, Y., Sahraei, H., Johnston, T. P., & Sahebkar, A. (2017) – so let’s be realistic, everyone has stress in their lives. However, if stress is having a negative impact on our behaviour or our wellbeing, we need to identify and reduce the triggers.
The Effects of Stress
Stress may induce both beneficial and harmful effects. Some stress is good for us as it helps us to respond to changes in life, preserving homeostasis of cells, leading to continued survival of the species. However, severe and prolonged stress causes harm to our mental and physical health and to our relationships.
It appears that bBeing exposed to stress can cause pathophysiologic changes in the brain, and these changes can be manifested as behavioral, cognitive, and mood disorder. (Li et al., 2008). Past studies demonstrated that high concentrations of stress hormones can cause declarative memory disorders and that stress also has negative effects on learning. (Yaribeygi et al., 2017)
Identify the Triggers
I highly recommend that we all try to identify the causes of stress in our lives and our pets’ lives so that we can begin to eliminate or reduce the stressors that may be adversely affecting our, or their, mental or physical wellbeing. Identifying the triggers – those stimuli such as a smells, sounds or sights that provoke feelings of fear, anxiety or stress – also means that we are better able to prevent trigger-stacking and thus avoid the very negative impact of cumulative stress on both our wellbeing and our behaviour.
Recommendations for Reducing Our Pets’ Stress
– If your pet demonstrates signs of fear, anxiety or stress, try to resolve the problem and make them more comfortable.
– Deliver tasty bite-sized pieces of food to help your pet create positive associations with situations, people or other animals.
– Work at a distance from the ‘stressor’/at a level where your pet feels comfortable.
– Avoid putting your pet in situations which you know cause a fearful response.
– Contact an accredited force-free trainer/behaviour consultant who can conduct a functional assessment and implement a behaviour change programme. A combination of management strategies and operant and respondent conditioning protocols, such as systematic desensitisation and counterconditioning, can be used to change the pet’s behaviour and emotional response to a stimulus.
– In some cases, medication may be advised – please consult your veterinarian.
Stress Reducing Tips for Both Humans and Canines
– Help reduce anxiety levels by incorporating more daily exercise – go for a walk or run; a hike in the woods; a stroll on the promenade…
– Spend time enjoying the company of friends and family.
– Fuel your body with a balanced diet.
– Use natural scents to promote calmness and relaxation (pet pheromone products come in various forms, including sprays, plug-in diffusers, wipes, and collars).
– Get enough rest. Crate training can be of particular benefit to a dog providing them with a cosy retreat. Your bedroom and your pet’s should be a safe haven.
Engage in Fun Activities
Do something fun every day. This could be anything from a game of ‘fetch’; a stroll around your favourite shop; a ride in the car; a walk on the beach; a get-together with friends; a puzzle game – a crossword or jigsaw for you and an interactive toy for your pet; listen to music – calming background noise like classical music can be soothing for both of you; read a book (while lovingly stroking your pet, of course). Anything you both enjoy!
Learn to Recognise Canine Signs of Stress
Here are a few telltale signs that a dog may be experiencing fear, anxiety or stress. Some may be ongoing, others will be specific to the stress-triggering event:
abnormal/excessive urination or defecation
destructive behaviour
dilated pupils
ears pinned back
excessive barking/whining
excessive grooming
excessive panting
excessive shedding
freezing
lip licking
mounting
moving away
pacing
paw raised
skin and coat problems
tail between legs
tension in body and face
trembling/shivering
turning away
yawning when not tired…
Avoid Trigger-Stacking.
Is your dog stressed when you take him to the vet? Is you dog stressed when you clip his nails? Does your dog dislike wearing a muzzle? Is your dog stressed by the presence of children?
Work to resolve the problematic response associated with all of these fear or anxiety provoking triggers separately, and always avoid situations where trigger-stacking may take place – Your dog is muzzled for a visit to the veterinary office. On entering the clinic there is a a young child chasing around in the waiting room. After a lengthy wait you go into the vet’s office where your dog will be given a nail trim… One trigger on top of another and your petrified dog feels he has no option other than to growl, snap, bite…
Whenever Possible, Give the Pet a Choice
Allow the pet to have some control over the situation; foster collaborative care; use consent tests; give your pet a voice. “Understanding the many uses for and learning how to teach essential collaborative care behaviours will help pets happily cooperate in their own care. Collaborative care skills lead to a reduction in stress and anxiety for you, your clients and their pets. These important skills help everyone to remain calm in what could otherwise be fear-provoking situations” – DogNostics Career Center
A recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports, examining the factors which reduce the effects of stress, concluded that the ability to control the source of stress diminishes its effects and could reduce the risk of later developing mental disorders. (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 2019). “Despite the fact that being exposed to situations of stress has short and long-term negative effects on behaviour and physiology, there are several factors which could mitigate its impact. We have observed that one of these factors is the possibility of having control over the source of stress,” affirmed Roser Nadal.
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National Stress Awareness Week is run by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA) with the aim of raising awareness, publicity and profile of stress and its impact; reducing the stigma often associated with stress, and promoting the importance of well-being and stress reduction for individuals and organisations.
Li S, Wang C, Wang W, Dong H, Hou P, Tang Y. Chronic mild stress impairs cognition in mice: from brain homeostasis to behavior. Life Sci. 2008;82:934–942. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
This blog was authored by L.A. Stapleton-Frappell and first published by DogNostics Career Center on 02 November, 2019 with the title: Stress Busting Tips for Humans and Pets!
I was in two minds as to whether to write this article but I thought it important to do so for the sake of many people and their dogs.
Jambo, my beautiful Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and I recently took part in an event to help raise money for our local dog rescue, 4 Paws Adoptions. Jambo had his very own kissing booth and was able to help out some of his less fortunate canine friends by selling kisses! When photos of Jambo in his kissing booth were posted on Facebook there were an awful lot of negative comments. Why? Because Jambo was wearing a muzzle! Many people stated that they thought it was cruel to muzzle him, some said that we were giving the breed a bad reputation and many more said that they would never put a muzzle on their dog! I understand that muzzles can sometimes look a little bit scary but I was amazed at people’s reaction and that is why I thought I should write this article. In defence of all muzzled dogs and their owners/guardians!
Jambo’s Kissing Booth: A muzzle didn’t stop Jambo from sharing his kisses and raising money for our local dog shelter, 4 Paws Adoptions!
There are diverse reasons for using a muzzle and I think that every pet owner should teach their dog to feel comfortable and relaxed while wearing one, so that, if the time comes when a muzzle is required, extra stress isn’t placed on their beloved companion!
Many veterinarians and groomers will muzzle your dog. Sometimes when you visit the vet’s your dog will be taken into the back for treatment. If your dog shows any signs that they may bite, they will be muzzled. If your dog is not used to wearing a muzzle then this is going to increase their fear and anxiety and could mean an escalation of their nerves the next time you visit the vet’s! Some of you will be thinking that your vet doesn’t require you to muzzle your dog but I assure you, if your pet is unfortunately in a lot of pain or injured then a muzzle will and should be used to protect those that are caring for him. In this situation a dog’s reflex reaction can be to bite! You yourself should also muzzle any dog that is injured before you attempt to give first-aid. A dog bite will still be reported to the relevant authorities whatever the circumstances and the last thing you would want to do is add to an already worrying situation.
A muzzle can be an indispensable tool when working with an aggressive dog. The muzzle allows you to work on a programme of behaviour modification using force-free methods to help overcome the dog’s reactivity. A muzzle allows the trainer to work in the vicinity of other people and dogs, keeping everyone safe.
I would go as far as saying that if your dog acts aggressively towards other dogs or people, they should be wearing a muzzle when in public. The muzzle will not only protect other dogs and people it could also protect you and your dog! If your dog bites someone, you could be fined a substantial amount of money and your dog could be seized and even euthanised! The muzzle shouldn’t, however, be used as a substitute for working on your dog’s issues as this could lead to an escalation of their reactivity. If your dog is overly reactive you should not take him/her to places frequented by lots of people and dogs. You should work with a certified force-free trainer who will use positive reinforcement, desensitisation and counter-conditioning, in a behaviour modification programme.
Breed Specific Legislation in some countries requires that certain breeds of dog must be muzzled and on leash when in public. This is the reason why Jambo has to wear a muzzle. Although I vehemently disagree with legislation that targets specific breeds, failure to abide by the law could result in a hefty fine and even the seizure of your beloved pet! You may be lucky and not have this type of discriminatory legislation where you live but what would happen if you were to travel somewhere that dictated muzzle wearing as mandatory? How much happier would you be if you knew your dog was happy to wear a muzzle? Some countries also require muzzles for all dogs over a certain weight. Local legislation where we live now requires all dogs that weigh over 20 kilos to be muzzled and on leash when in public. This is the reason why Tessa, my beautiful German Shepherd must now be muzzled when we go out. I advocate against Breed Specific Legislation, which “condemns” a dog because of the way it looks without taking into account the way it behaves. I do, however, acknowledge that having these restrictions placed on us is much better than an outright ban (which some breeds face in some countries).
“The Canine Crusaders”, Cobalt and Sapphire, campaign against BSL in the UK. They have to be muzzled when in public but that doesn’t stop them looking amazing! Their muzzles are often bedecked with jewels!
Muzzles can be an invaluable tool to use while introducing your dog to another dog, a cat or any other animal that is to become a member of your family. The muzzle can give you peace of mind while you employ a programme of desensitisation.
A muzzle may be used to discourage a dog from picking up, chewing, eating and ingesting foreign objects. Supervision, management and positive reinforcement training should also be used.
There are a few different types of muzzle but the main ones are basket muzzles and mesh/nylon muzzles. For most situations, I recommend a basket muzzle. Although a dog wearing this kind of muzzle can look a little scary to people who aren’t used to seeing them, it allows the dog to pant (and therefore regulate their body temperature) and to drink. It’s also easy to feed your dog through the slots in the muzzle, which is an absolute must for carrying out your positive reinforcement training! Mesh/nylon muzzles do have their advantages too as they are ideal for quick use, for example a visit to the vet’s and can be easily folded and put in your pocket/bag. I wouldn’t, however, recommend them for longer periods of time as it is more difficult for the dog to pant and keep cool. “Softie” muzzles can be an ideal option as they offer a comfortable fit that also allows the dog to pant but I wouldn’t advise them if the purpose for wearing the muzzle is a dog’s aggression. Please avoid using Gentle Leaders, Haltis or other head halters as substitutes for a muzzle. They may partially close a dog’s mouth, but will not prevent bites!
Tessa and Jambo both have basket muzzles and nylon and mesh muzzles.
Please measure your dog carefully before purchasing their muzzle as it is important that it fit correctly! There are even sizes that are especially suited to shorted nosed dogs!
The soft muzzle Jambo wore in his kissing booth is cut in such a way as to be especially suitable for the shape of his face. It has a narrower band than the typical soft nylon muzzle and is also a looser fit, allowing him to open his mouth sufficiently to pant, drink, eat and of course kiss, while not allowing full opening or the ability to bite. It is also slightly padded to make it more comfortable. I chose this muzzle for the day as normally, if Jambo were to be wearing his muzzle for such a long period of time, I would use his basket muzzle (the blue Baskerville Ultra he is wearing in the photo below) however, I didn’t think people would appreciate a hard piece of plastic bashing in their faces!
Please “Muzzle Train” Your Dog so that they feel relaxed when wearing their muzzle.
Whatever the reason for the muzzle, whether it be dictated by law, to enable you to work on your dog’s reactivity issues or for that “just in case” future event when a muzzle might be required, it is absolutely ESSENTIAL to make sure your dog is happy wearing it! Here is a video that I made which shows you in simple, easy to follow steps, how to “muzzle train” your dog:
You want your dog to view the muzzle as something positive! If you follow the techniques I use in the video your dog will learn to love their muzzle!
Please remember: Don’t just use the muzzle for visits to the vet’s! Put the muzzle on your dog and do something they love! If they only ever wear the muzzle when “bad things” are going to happen, then they will quickly build a negative association with it!
Please do not put a muzzle on your aggressive dog and let him loose in the dog park! (Contact a qualified force-free trainer and work on his issues in a stress free environment.)
Please do not muzzle your dog because he is chewing your furniture! (Keep him away from temptation and provide him with lots of chew toys.)
Please do not muzzle your dog because he is reactive towards strangers/children/other dogs and they have come to visit! (Put your dog in a different room and contact a certified force-free trainer to work on his issues.)
Please do not muzzle your dog because he suffers from separation anxiety and can be destructive while you are out! (Contact a qualified force-free trainer to work on his issues).
Please do not muzzle your dog because he raids the rubbish bin while you are at work! (Move the rubbish bin!)
Please do not muzzle your dog and think you can safely leave him unattended!
When muzzles are used for the right reasons they can be a positive tool but they are not a replacement for training your dog!
The next time you see a dog in a muzzle please realise that they probably have a very responsible owner who is doing their upmost to keep their companion and others safe. When more people begin to use muzzles in routine training, for travelling and even as an opportunity to do something fun with their dog, then their appearance will become less startling and hopefully, the stigma of the “aggressive” dog will disappear!
Remember to have fun with your training – Lots of positive reinforcement (rewards) and no force, fear, pain or intimidation!
o changes in life, preserving homeostasis of cells, leading to continued survival of the species. However, severe and prolonged stress causes harm to our mental and physical health and to our relationships.
Is your dog stressed when you take him to the vet? Is you dog stressed when you clip his nails? Does your dog dislike wearing a muzzle? Is your dog stressed by the presence of children?
Louise Stapleton-Frappell & Jambo Staffy Bull Terrier 