Southern Paws Training Newsletter

November 2015                                                                                                Issue Two

    The holiday season is just around the corner, and soon our homes will be filled with in-laws, turkeys, screaming kids, and mysterious wrapped boxes! While this time can be joyous, it can become very stressful for humans and our animal friends! Our stress levels can rise even more if once your aunt comes through the door your dogs begin to bark, and jump on her which scares her, sending the food flying. 

 

     Pets experience more stress than most people realize. The home environment begins to change: decorations, lights, people coming and going, moving furniture, extra cleaning, new smells and sounds, package delivery more often and each doorbell ring can seem like a home invasion. Change will often cause resurgence in problem behaviors like jumping up, stealing objects, eliminating indoors, counter-surfing, barking, or destructiveness. There are more hazards during this time such as exposed wires, choking hazards, and poisonous foods (chocolate)/plants (like Poinsettias). Remember crates, ex-pens, tethers, and gates should be used to your advantage during this time. Many people feel bad about restricting their dog's movements but it is essential in keeping your pets happy, safe, and away from trouble.

 

     The first step in setting your pet up to succeed is honestly assessing your dog. A dog who barks like crazy when the doorbell rings, but calms down and will lie on his bed as cued once people come in the house will require different training and management strategies than a dog who shows clear discomfort, fear, or aggression around newcomers. The best thing to do is hire a certified professional dog trainer, but if you only have a few weeks, trying to "train away" these behaviors in a short time is unrealistic, The best thing to do is to get your dog out of the house altogether, arrange a stay at a friend's house or board the dog at the vet's office or kennel. If these are not feasible options, grab the crate and head to the quietest room in your house:

 

     1. You can play some light classical music like Through a Dog's Ear. In 2002, Belfast, Ireland-based psychologist and animal behaviorist Dr. Deborah Wells undertook a research program to determine the influence of five types of auditory stimulation: human conversation, classical music, heavy metal music, pop music, and a silent control (no music at all).From Dr. Wells’s study, we came to understand that classical music had a marked soothing effect on dogs in animal shelters when compared to the other types of auditory stimulation. 

     2. Puzzle toys and chew items encourage chewing and licking, which have been shown to have a calming effect on dogs. A stuffed frozen KONG or beef trachea are great and take about 30 minutes or more. 

     3. Essential oils such as T-Away, Peace & Calming, lavender, or tangerine would be great to diffuse to create a calm and comforting environment, or you can put in a glass bottle and spray into the area. I've had great experience with spraying a blend on the bedding and into the air. You can also dilute the oil of choice and apply to by petting the dog's body. 

 

     If the dog is overly stressed when left alone, you can hire a pet sitter to provide comfort, and keep the dog occupied while the hosts are busy. 

  ***Remember, if there is any risk that your dog could bite or scare your visitors, take the extra precaution by crating and double-gating the confinement area!

 

Don't forget to use essential oils for yourself to uplift your spirits and emotions during this crazy wonderful time! I recommend Joy, Stress Away, and Christmas Spirit! Great for diffusing or applying directly for a scent nobody can resist! Get in touch with me to learn more.

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