How to support your dog Emotionally

Lots of people may think that pet dogs have a great life, lazing around, walkies, days at day care and all sorts of adventures and enrichment with us in and out of the home. We come home and see them all relaxed and think- Jeez thats the life hey! The thing is, there are lots of things which could cause them stress, which we may not even be aware of. I am a huge advocate for forming a deep bond and communication with your dog to understand their mannerisms and individual character. But thats not what I'm here to talk about today. I want to discuss a stressor for many dogs, which is Control and Choice. Just sit with that for a moment... what control, or choices does your dog make? We tell them what to do, feed them at certain times, they go to daycare on certain days. Now I know your dog can't exactly call up daycare and re-arrange his days to suit him... we are their guardians, and, I'd say relalistically 70% of these day to day things are essential to maintain a routine and for health reasons for our dog. like going for a walk at a certian time due to work commitments etc. BUT.. the other 30%....this part comes from things like, allowing your dog time to process things, like time to sniff on walks.

It also comes from, giving them a choice. maybe let them lead the way they go on a walk. of if you offer herbs and oils like me.. give them a choice. This indicated their preference and needs, while also nurturing their sense of self and purpose.

Much like us, if we don't have a good sense of self and our purpouse in the world. This can lead to low moods and a host of psycological symptoms. We must know who we are, what our role is and a knowing of our values, so we can operate effectively, with as little psychological damage as possible!

So I encourage you to think about how much we lead their lives, and start to nurture them leading us. A big thing is being present with your dog. I literally wince when I see an owner with headphones in while they are walking their dog, or using that time to catch up with Social media, their nan... No susan, be present with your dog. Be present as it is a gift to them. Watch them sniff, understand what they are working out, their body language, where they want to go. Talk to them. maybe let them lead you sometimes.

I personally don't have a choice with a Bloodhound.. Hounds in their very nature are designed to lead us, on the hunt or whatever purpouse they are bread for... Hounds lead for us to follow. Bloodhound bread for their scent function, their scent leads the way and we follow them Gundogs however, they generally love the appraisal and want to work for the gratitude of the owner. They do things to please us, to work with us and for us. Which is great in the field, training and for sporting. They were bred to work with us, to retrieve or point or flush. Emotional Support is often so overlooked, but the applying a couple of these little ideas can really improve your dogs welbeing, so try it out, work with them, let them lead you, give them a choice. Nurture their character. Dogs certainly never cease to amaze me!

Lots of love

Daisy