10/30/2024
A significant proportion of dogs I work with, reportedly biting 'out of nowhere,' were previously trained to remain in 'place' near triggers. Compelling a fearful dog to stay stationary amidst frightening stimuli often culminates in heightened stress and eventual reactivity. Instead, our focus should be on establishing safe environments and teaching them effective coping mechanisms.
CANINE COMMUNICATION: SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL SHUTDOWN
As guardians of fearful, anxious and reactive dogs, we need to be very mindful that a lack of obvious behaviours doesn't necessarily mean that they are feeling safe and relaxed. When a dog is overwhelmed, he won't always show this in the way we might expect. Yes, some dogs might bark and lunge and feel able to express themselves, while others might shut down and internalise their fear. Previous experiences, as well as how safe and supported they feel, will play a large part in how they respond.
Dogs which are regularly over-exposed to triggers, such as being expected to maintain a sit, down, stay, focus etc in proximity to things which worry them, will result in the dog being flooded, regardless of whether they appear to be calm. Emotional shutdown and learned helplessness is a huge risk.
Flooding can occur whether or not it is intentional, so we really need to broadcast the message that the appearance of calmness doesn't equal relaxed, and quietness doesn't mean that they are coping. You can read more about this in the blog post linked below:
https://www.trailiepawsforthought.com/post/canine-emotional-shutdown?fbclid=IwAR3xBNxkiH-CXP130PlK5lUxlzLXY5s8J8xqSq7NB0paMvSmOwNJ7_2hLJE
A dog suffering with learned helplessness may even appear to be well-behaved and seem far less of a problem than a dog who reacts noisily and lunges on the lead. Think of the scenario at the vets, where the dog is removed from his guardian in order to be treated because he "behaves much better", isn't able "to guard" his human, is "much easier to handle", etc. Removing the dog's trusted person will often lead to the dog not feeling safe enough to express himself. Be aware that, just because your dog exhibits signs of stress around you but not someone else, it does not mean that your dog feels any more comfortable when with them - he is likely suppressing his feelings, and the behaviours which communicate his internal state.
It is possible for fear to go unrecognised in these cases when the typical signs that we expect to see are not present; however, a complete lack of behaviours denotes a profoundly distressed dog. Sometimes, unknowledgeable trainers may even mistake this state of shutdown for calm and relaxed behaviour, often labelled as “calm, submissive”. Luckily, we know better, thanks to science!
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