Your kit-of-tools to
success is complete, you don’t need to go out and purchase anything - you
already have what you need…you just have to dust off and polish up your tools a
little. Your tools are - your patience, persistence, determination - your will;
and a safe, comfy, not too large space for your dog to stay. We will get into
the details below.
And please be further
reassured - the age of your dog does not matter, puppy, teenager, adult or
senior dog - all is possible.
Of my ten dog pack -
primarily rescues - two of the females were severely affected by thunder and
gun shots - Abby my German Shepherd x Belgian Shepherd and Tasha my Australian
Shepherd. Tasha also had separation anxiety.
If the air pressure
change signalled the on-set of a T-storm Abby would start to quiver, then
shake, pant and then tremble so acutely - her heart beat was as if she would
have a heart attack. I adopted Abby at 18 months of age - she arrived with this
anxiety. Tasha would also have these physiological symptoms. They would dash
about looking for a safe haven - jumping into the bath tub, wrapping around the
base of a toilet, moving from one place to another in search of safety - in
total panic, meltdown, shut down. With patience and the right type of care they
are both much better today.
The key to stop the
meltdown and shut down is to provide leadership - eventually you will see
improvement. If you have not already red these two articles you will need to in
order to have a full understanding of your role as guardian through the storm! Leadership,
Sensitivity,
Dogs
and Thunderstorms Part 1
FIRST PLEASE DO NOT ANTICIPATE - PLEASE STRATEGICALLY
LEAD
If, at the first sign
of rain, storm, thunder - you feel any negative thought/emotion anticipation,
even release a sigh - it will reinforce your dog’s reaction to the incoming
storm! To help break the pattern - the association ever little bit counts. Really
the first place to start is to switch your own association - switch your entire
psyche to focus on work. Being your dog’s guardian, leading - it is work. When
we remain in personal mode we are emotive, and this makes us ineffective as we
forget to disengage from emotion. Our expectations and communication becomes
clouded rather than clear. We get too close, too involved in emotion and
argument. When we switch our brain to working mode our expectations are
different than when we are not working. When we think work - we employ logic, we
direct, we are confident and calm.
Dogs want direction
not sympathy. If you see your dog start to react…ears go down, tail goes down,
a shiver, a whine switch modes immediately! Don’t feel sorry; instead switch to
work and action from a calm and determined perspective.
Timing as in many
situations is everything. The sooner you strategically intervene the better.
Most dogs that are
afraid of thunder (gun shots, fire works) go into flight mode, they run about
looking desperately for somewhere safe to go. Freedom to run about only makes
them more desperate.
If your dog is crate
trained, calmly, confidently bring your dog to its crate, guide your dog in and
close the crate door. Your dog may try to evade going into the crate - don’t feel
bad - just be calm, no panic, have no second thoughts - guide your dog in. Your
dog is simply struggling as they are in panic mode and are accustomed to fleeing,
remember if you have an ingrained habit it is normal for you to seek
fulfillment of that habit. If they have a favorite toy, you can put it in the
crate too.
If your dog is not
crate trained then have another small space in which you can confine your dog -
the space should be large enough to fit a comfy dog bed - no bigger no smaller.
If the space, crate
that you confine your dog in can be located in a quite corner within a space near
where you will be, coming and going that is fine. I tend to use a crate in the
kitchen or living room for this purpose. Don’t hide the dog away in some remote
space - you want them to learn not to cower and hide. While you work to get
them accustomed to normalizing storms they need to feel secure not sequestered.
Once your dog is in
the space or crate, walk away. Don’t say anything, don’t look, don’t touch, don’t
feel anything but calm. As you go through this entire process you need to think
‘thunderstorms are normal, and you, my dear dog need to get accustomed to such
storms and that is it’. And then you should go about your business in a normal,
relaxed fashion - forget how your dog feels and what your dog is doing. By
normalizing this in your mind, by relaxing and not treating the storm as
anything more you will help your dog to normalize.
Right now you may think
you need to stay by your dog’s side, that you need to touch them, say
affectionate things to them…but if you do these things you are telling your dog
that the situation is not normal. You are reinforcing their anxiety. Just think
about it. Instead if you settle them into a comfortable spot, get up and go
about your business - you are saying this is normal, be normal. This is what your
dog really needs. To feel from you that all is well, normal and safe.
You may be thinking -
but my dogs comes to get me and expects me to be there holding her and talking
to her. She only does this because it is the pattern you have set in motion -
you have not shown her what else she can do - relax - you have not shown her
where - in a safe, comfortable contained space. She has no other option. Give
her an alternative, be patient and allow her to adjust. Give her proper
direction - calm, confident logical - no playing into emotions hers or yours.
You may not see any changes the first time but be patient, just wait. This is a psychologically
driven situation - patience and confidence is key. The first time you may see
little change - don’t worry. Persist. Soon you will see your dog learn to calm
and sleep in comfort. Eventually they will not require such confinement.
Remember your most
effective tool is your own state-of-being - employ calm, confidence and logic. Lead
by the right example. Don’t engage in fuss, emotion and worry - you will make
your dog worried and stressed. This is all about changing your dog’s
association with thunder storms and your bad habits of supporting and enabling psychological
trauma with emotion.
Notes:
Additional Assistance
If
you require additional support and guidance I would be pleased to assist you
via my In-Person or On-Line Services…
Dog Obedience Training
and Behaviour Modification Services:
- In-Person sessions are available via this service
- On-Line consultation and sessions are available via this service
- Unbiased Diet, Nutrition, Product Advice is available via this service
- Diet, Nutrition Wellness Plans are available via this service
Please note - this article is for information purposes and is not a substitute for an in-person Session with me. When
working with dogs I use many techniques - it is important to note that
this article may touch on one or several techniques but not all. I
select the technique that I use for a particular dog based on my
observations of the dog and an intuitive, instinctive assessment of that
dog's and its human's individual requirements. For example when I am
working with a dog that is hyper sensitive
and very physically reactive I will not use voice or touch. I use a lot
of therapeutic touch on some dogs, others require the use of herding
techniques and so on. Each and every technique must be combined with:
- an understanding of the real intelligence, sensitivity and capability of dogs;
- an understanding of how to read a dog's face and a dog's overall body language;
- an understanding of the full spectrum of ways that humans communicate and dogs communicate;
- understanding and recognition of the individual that is each dog - no two dogs are the same...taking a 'cookie cutter' approach to techniques is not the way to work with a dog;
- a complete recognition and understanding of all the elements that feed a behaviour and create an issue:
- the vast majority of people can only identify one or two elements...which vastly inhibits the ability to resolve behavior issues;
- behaviours do not exist in isolation - there are always many elements that feed a single behaviour, there all always multiple behaviours that create a behavioral issue;
- self-restraint and discipline on the part of the human who is directing the dog;
- sensitivity, awareness, intuition, instinct and timing on the part of the human who is directing the dog;
- to understand, connect with and adapt quickly and effectively to a dog's learning requirements you must be able to employ the same tools a dog uses - acute sensitivity, awareness, instinct, intuition and timing;
- kindness, endurance, consideration, patience, persistence, perspective, the ability and know how to let the past go, the ability to set realistic expectations at any one point in time;
- the creation of structure, rules, boundaries and limitations for each situation at the macro and micro level;
- understanding of all the elements that make up an instruction and direction to a dog...there are multiple steps involved in an instruction - not just one!
- absolute honesty - if you cannot be honest with yourself you will not be able to communicate clearly with a dog.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note -
1.0 Use of Foods, Herbs, Nutraceuticals and Alternative Medicines:
When choosing to use any of the items or protocols in the article above, it is your responsibility to ensure safe use of the item/protocol. Food, herbs, nutraceuticals and alternative medicines all have drug interactions, most have health issue contradictions, some have side effects. Use of substances and protocols are your responsibility. Prior to use of any substance or protocol make sure you do your research - check for all cautions, contradictions,interactions, side effects. If in doubt do not use the substance or protocol. If the substance, or protocol is contradicted for your animal do not use. If your animal has an underlying condition you are not aware of substances may conflict with that condition.
2.0 The Real Meaning of Holistic…
Food, herbs, nutraceuticals and alternative medicines are NOT ‘holistic’ they are a substance and MAY, or may NOT be ‘NATURAL’. It is important to keep in mind that the supplement industry is just as unethical as BigPharma, the Food and Pet Food Industry, and unfortunately many veterinarians.
If you use a ‘natural’ substance (i.e. an herb) you are using a natural substance, this is not synonymous with holistic.
Holistic is a way of approaching life, and within that - overall health, and wellbeing.
Please do not expect a natural substance to miraculously remedy a health or behavioral situation. A natural substance may be used to treat symptoms. However, if the factors causing the underlying issue are not properly identified, analyzed and addressed you do not have a remedy.
Remedy requires a comprehensive approach that identifies root cause, seeks to remove items that trigger, cause or otherwise contribute to issues, and builds a complete, and detailed approach to immediate treatment, remedy, and maintenance of long-term health = holistic.
I offer extensive consultation services - Holistic Diet, Nutrition Wellness and Holistic Behavioral, for people that are serious about looking after their dogs and cats holistically. If you want to engage my services you can contact me via email or phone.
If you are looking for additional free advice, please refer back to the articles on my site, do not contact me via email or phone - personalized service is for my clients / patients only.
3.0
Want to Leave a Comment?
Comments are reviewed prior to publishing. If your comment is deemed appropriate for this site your comment may be published.
Questions may be answered if, and when I have time to do so.
Wishing your dog and cat the best of health!
Karen
the Ottawa Valley Dog Whisperer
Holistic Behaviorist - Dogs
Holistic Diet Nutrition Wellness Adviser – Dogs and Cats
karen@ottawavalleydogwhisperer.ca
Canada, U.S.A. North America
1-613-622-1139 (off)
1-613-293-3707 (cell)
Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, UK, UAE, Scandinavian Countries, South America, Central America and elsewhere around the world
00-1-613-622-1139 (off)
00-1-613-293-3707 (cell)