I really need to share this with every dog lover, dog walker, dog trainer, and dog handler out there. We have an epidemic in the dog world right now, and I would like to call it 'Dog Covid Victim Syndrome'. So what am I talking about?
What is DCVS? There are many dogs out there that are just simply SCARED to death. Terrified to go out or do anything. I have not seen this in dogs in almost 18 years in this field, and it breaks my heart. And we all know why that is.
But it does make something very clear to me and that I have been pondering for a while now. We truly are the mirror to our dog’s behaviour. We have all feared this virus.
Well, we thought because we had to stay at home, getting a dog would be a great idea. And in all honesty, we never thought the lock downs would last this long. But after a year or more, who would have thought it would have such lasting effect on our dogs.
They watched us tense up around people, and put our masks on when going outside, heck even when driving in the car. They watched us be afraid of getting too close to others and avoid each other. They stopped going to the park to play with their friends. Everything changed for them. So naturally our dogs fear other people and other dogs and are now afraid of going out, seeing all those faces that stare down at them and talk to them, and worst of all... get close to them. Where did that mask go?
So, what should we do? What can we do about it?
Let’s start with dealing with our own fears. When we are around the dog, practice deep breathing and calming our energy. Dogs read our body language, so if we tense up, they read that as danger coming from somewhere? But they can't see it, so they are so focused on that, that anxiety reigns.
We need to focus on our approach to others and practice calm energy, and stand tall and confident. Smile, relax and show the dog that everything is okay. We help our dog cope with the anxiety by showing confident and calm energy while also not coddling and petting the dog in that scared state of mind. We teach the dog to simply just be, and breathe.
And the best thing to do in a situation where you are trying to calm and support your dog is to not speak when you communicate with the dog. The dog will your sweet words of support make you sound weak. A calm, slow, low tone is very helpful to put a scared dog at ease. It makes you seem strong and confident. A leader.
Learn to read their body language, so you can assess what state they are in. Set rules and boundaries so they are given the direction they are starving for, so they more quickly can understand how they fit in this crazy world of ours.
Being the pack leader in your dog’s life is essential, as it removes any responsibility the dog thought it had for your safety, the family’s safety, and help it trust that you got this.
They will feel secure, safe, loved, and respected. Now you will mirror your behaviour in your dog, and it will sense your calm confidence, and follow you everywhere. Pandemic or not!
There is no greater feeling than being trusted, respected and followed by your dog.
PRICELESS… 😊
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