10/11/2024
Taking a step back
After the last week or so of fireworks we’ve taken a step back. Knowing Murphy can be particularly worried about certain noises, but fireworks are a big one. I put a lot of management in place, washing machine running, tumble dryer, games, earlier meal times, and walks etc, but we have had to take a step back, ensuring I help him through any previous noises he was concerned with especially outside during these weeks, which can be difficult to preempt. That is not to say we are avoiding or failing but just jiggling certain walks around, offering more home activities and allow more recovery time at the moment from the last couple of weeks of fireworks.
It can be hard when facing particular challenges with our dogs, not necessarily knowing why our pup or dog has all of sudden changed, why they are doing the things they are doing, we might feel like more training is needed, but actually taking a step back and acknowledging that at the moment concentrating on the things you both can do, is more important rather than the things you can’t
Depending on the problems you and your dog are facing, they might not be coming back when called, pulling in lead, barking, lunging towards others, not wanting to go out for walks, we may feel that we are at wits end, embarrassed, become more frustrated as another day of what feels like hard work.
However, taking a step back
Vet checks - if your dog's behaviour has suddenly changed speaking with your vet, just to ensure your dog has no underlying pain or discomfort.
Keeping a diary to look back on and how you can make changes to help, whether it’s the time you walk, a certain area that you use. Does your dog seem more uncomfortable at certain times? Taking notes of how your dog feels, before, during and after a particular events and observe your dog's behaviour, recognising what you can do to help next time, but this can also provide information when working with a professional for support.
Take a break at home for a day or longer and offer enrichment, other activities to use their senses, time to rest, reduce their stress levels and prevent repeated exposure
Going back to basics enjoying time in the garden, secure areas taking the pressure off, revisiting the same environments with potential triggers.
Driving to locations rather than walking to them, spending time near your car to allow your dog opportunities to check out the area before walking to allow them to use their senses.
Slowing everything down and taking a step back is not avoiding, it’s not a failing but giving you and your dog chance to seek out the things that you can do together and enjoy at this time, allowing them time to recover, taking the pressure off from trying to train things they are already finding difficult, giving yourselves some time to take a step back, observe, as sometimes it’s clearer to see those things in front of us.
Photo of Murphy and me, hanging out near the car before a short wonder 🐾
