It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it
All dogs should have some training so that they can have the freedom they need to be able to be let off the lead, where it is safe to do so, and so they are not a nuisance or danger to themselves or others. How you train your dog – and how you relate to them day-to-day – will have an impact on their mood.
Reward-based training methods and handling improve the bond between a dog and their owner. Heavy-handed methods that rely on punishment can however leave the dog feeling unable to succeed, resulting in a loss of confidence in their owner, and producing a state of learned helplessness. These dogs may appear quiet and well-behaved, but may actually be experiencing a very low mood state and chronic stress where it is far safer to do nothing.
Recognising the problem is the first step to solving it, then do a canine mental health assessment on your dog.
Once you have done this check, you should have a clear idea of what your dog needs from you to lift their mood and find ways to do this. If you are unable to make the changes (such as in the case of house moves etc) be aware that your dog is struggling and give them more TLC than usual and lots of fun things to do to distract them and support them through the changes.
If your dog’s mood or behaviour has changed suddenly and you can find no reason why this may be happening, visit your vet to check for clinical causes.
Once your dog has a clean bill of health, consult an accredited experienced behaviourist who can look at any behaviour changes or issues, and help you transform your dog’s mood, behaviour and life for the better.
Content provided by PRO PLAN – The Kennel Club’s partner in dog nutrition.
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For dogs and humans, winter brings the fun of snowball fights and sports like skijoring, but it also means fewer hours of daylight. And in people, that can lead to the winter blues or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression with a seasonal pattern. Have you noticed your dog’s behavior change during the winter months?
As dogs share similar moods and brain chemistry with humans, it’s reasonable to think they might suffer from seasonal affective disorder, too. Read on to learn if the winter is getting your dog down and what you can do to prevent it.
Signs of an unhappy dog Signs to watch out for include is your dog:
A dog’s bond with its family is very strong and changes to their social dynamic can strongly affect them, such as divorce, bereavement (human, canine and sometimes even feline), children leaving home, or even a change in working patterns. Dogs don’t understand where their friends or loved ones have gone and of course we can’t explain it to them so that they understand.
It’s not just grief that can affect a dog’s mood however. If you are suddenly less available to your dog, such as returning to work after a break, or starting a new job – it can hit them hard. They rely on you totally for company, security and love, and can feel your increased absence keenly.
At this time of year there can be several causes of a dog’s apparent sadness, including something similar to – Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). However, something far more likely to cause behavioural problems are changes to a dog’s routine.
Our dogs have certain hard-wired needs that we need to fulfill to keep them healthy and happy. A major one of these is exercise and physical and mental stimulation. Not only that but they need the right kind of exercise, and this can often be breed or type dependant.
Through the winter – especially the long, wet winters we have been seeing in recent years – it can be hard to give dogs the exercise they need. Dark mornings and evenings, and muddy, wet walks, can make taking the dog out seem like a chore. As a result, many dogs are getting less exercise or fewer walks than usual, and aren’t getting to do the things they truly love.
In other cases, owners don’t realise just how much exercise their dog needs, or what types of things will keep them happy. All dogs are different and so finding out what fulfils a dog’s hard-wired needs can be the key to a contented dog. It’s similar to someone who loves nothing more than doing yoga being forced to only do marathon running! Yes, you’d be getting the exercise you need, but you wouldn’t be enjoying it, and would probably be feeling pretty fed up about it!
A lack of being able to do the things they have been selectively bred to do, or just the things that they love, can result in a whole host of behaviour problems, some of which will present a lot like depression.
How to cope with SAD and darker winter days
As we enter the season of winter weather, gray skies, and chilly nights, many of us are missing the sunny skies that come with spring. Seasonal Affective Disorder is common in humans this time of year. But, Could SAD cause the winter blues in our dogs, too? Experts say yes! Luckily, it’s easy to help your dog overcome the chilly-weather doldrums.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that commonly occurs in humans, especially in the winter months when we spend less time outdoors, have minimal access to bright, sunny days, and have fewer hours of daylight each day. While the disorder commonly causes depression-like symptoms in humans, evidence suggests that dogs, too, are affected by the lack of sunlight this time of year.
The dark, gloomy days and longer, colder nights of winter can cause dogs to develop Seasonal Affective Disorder, just like humans. In dogs, symptoms include lethargy, neediness, behavioral changes such as aggression and inappropriate pottying, and a general feeling of “blah.” In extreme or extended cases, even hair loss can occur.
A survey by the British veterinary organization, PDSA found that 1 in 3 dog owners notice their pet becoming less playful and appearing down or depressed during dreary winter months. Some symptoms that may indicate your furriest family member is experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder include:
So, how do you combat Seasonal Affective Disorder in your dog? The same way some humans find relief – with artificial sunlight! Light boxes commonly used by humans for SAD have been found to be effective in treating dogs, too. The premise behind the light box is that it fills a room with artificial sunlight to help balance the body’s production of melatonin, thus keeping sleep cycles and moods in check.
Light boxes vary in size and price, but are typically used for 30-45 minutes each day for optimal results.
In addition to light therapy, providing your dog with mental stimulation (for example, fun training exercises, brain games, treat puzzles, or scent games) can work very well toward building his confidence and lifting his spirits until the sun is shining again.
Does your dog experience Seasonal Affective Disorder? What types of changes do you notice in your pet?