🌲Visitors over the holidays - consent petting and more.
Puppy class is in Jan! Come and learn some skills.
Canine Christmas Visitors - what to think about 🐶
A save haven can be a dog's own room, a cosy crate, a place behind the sofa - when they are there visitors don't disturb and look in or touch them .. a safe space is not just for Christmas!
🎄Christmas hazards can include chocolate grapes and mince pies.🍇 🍫
Will chicken make it all better? Decompression is key, aswell as having an excellent understanding of body langauge. Lili Chin's book Doggie language is brilliant!
Is your dog stressed in the car?
Car travel can be stressful for many dogs but of course, trips to the park, vets, groomers and holidays can all be reasons you may need to travel in the car with your dog. Heart and respiratory rate can change when a dog is stressed.
Stress can activate the HPA Axis (the Hypothalamus – Pituitary – Adrenal – Axis). Stress can involve an increase in neutrophils. Neutrophils are a white blood cell, they can increase when attempting to deal with an infection or inflammation.
Lymphocytes are also a white blood cell, they can decrease in stress related travel – which can result in a high risk of infection.
Glucocorticoids can also be released (these are steroid hormones and control metabolism in muscles and bone.. they can also affect mood and sleep as they affect the brain too). Therefore a dog can be more grumpy and less able to relax after a car trip.
Catecholamines can also be released – they are created by nerve cells and high levels can result in pounding in the chest and anxiety.
So potentially, stress related travel can make a dog poorly.. behavioural and physical health are linked.. one always affects the other. That’s why it is so important to work on vet referral and with a qualified behaviourist… it’s not always as simple as putting a dog in the car with a kong and classic fm!!
References
Chmelíková et al., 2020. Salivary cortisol as a marker of acute stress in dogs: a review. Domest Anim Endocrinol. 72:106428
Talking about my thoughts on bringing in dog walking legislation. At the moment there is no legislation in dog behaviour and training either which means anyone can call themselves a behaviourist. Thank you to Roger and Nina for talking to me on BBC Breakfast.
Is your dog stressed in the car?
Car travel can be stressful for many dogs but of course, trips to the park, vets, groomers and holidays can all be reasons you may need to travel in the car with your dog. Heart and respiratory rate can change when a dog is stressed.
Stress can activate the HPA Axis (the Hypothalamus – Pituitary – Adrenal – Axis). Stress can involve an increase in neutrophils. Neutrophils are a white blood cell, they can increase when attempting to deal with an infection or inflammation.
Lymphocytes are also a white blood cell, they can decrease in stress related travel – which can result in a high risk of infection.
Glucocorticoids can also be released (these are steroid hormones and control metabolism in muscles and bone.. they can also affect mood and sleep as they affect the brain too). Therefore a dog can be more grumpy and less able to relax after a car trip.
Catecholamines can also be released – they are created by nerve cells and high levels can result in pounding in the chest and anxiety.
So potentially, stress related travel can make a dog poorly.. behavioural and physical health are linked.. one always affects the other. That’s why it is so important to work on vet referral and with a qualified behaviourist… it’s not always as simple as putting a dog in the car with a kong and classic fm!!
References
Chmelíková et al., 2020. Salivary cortisol as a marker of acute stress in dogs: a review. Domest Anim Endocrinol. 72:106428
Pain
Pain can contribute to problem behaviour. Always work on vet referral when working with a behaviourist
