How well are you able to learn, manage your emotions, and make rational decisions when you are chronically stressed, anxious, frustrated, and sleep deprived?
Probably not very well is your answer!
But, it is an expectation that is so often put onto our dogs.
So many of our working breeds in pet homes are living in emotional turmoil because they lack one essential skill…
Independence.
Whilst some breeds are naturally very independent, our Gundog breeds have been bred to work in partnership with us which makes them fabulous companions.
But this predisposition to be dependent on us for constant stimulation and attention means that as their caregivers, we are entirely responsible for developing their ability to be independent at home and comfortable without us, for their welfare, and for our sanity.
Being at home all day and rarely having to leave them alone is not a reason to neglect this. In fact, it’s even more of a reason to push it to the top of your priority list.
A dog who lacks the ability to cope without constant attention and stimulation…
Will not be getting enough sleep
Will experience intense frustration anytime they don’t get immediate access to something they want
Will find it hard to chill out and relax in the house
Will spend their time looking for mischief - stealing, pacing, mouthing, barking, constantly asking for something
Will not cope with being separated from you while you are home
May not cope with being home alone
Will be chronically stressed, anxious, frustrated, and sleep deprived every single day
It’s a tough one for us because we think the kindest thing to do is to have our dogs with us all the time at every opportunity, but when you start to understand the impact this has on our busy working breeds, you’ll probably start to agree that it is anything but kind, and in fact, it is incredibly detrimental to their welfare.
Whether you have just brought a new puppy home or you feel like you are already in this cycle with your dog...
Here are some things they need you to do for them:
Create a den and condition it to become their happy, peaceful, independent zone.
Find some calming, long-lasting food activities they love, e.g., frozen stuffed Kongs, lickimats, marrow bones, natural long-lasting chews (go and see our friends at the Heart of Raw for ideas!).
Quality exercise sessions that are packed with activities to challenge them mentally and meet their breed-specific needs.
Minimise unguided, free time in the house if they cannot yet manage themselves.
Create structure to their day by maintaining a continuous cycle of quality exercise / activity sessions of physical and mental exercise, followed by a lower energy activity such as searching for food in the garden or settle training, followed by time in their den with a long-lasting food activity and a good quality sleep (not a power nap!).
Switch them from a processed diet to a fresh, natural diet to help them regulate their glucose levels better.
Minimise mindless high-arousal activities such as spending their walks repetitively ball chasing, chasing every dog they see, or free hunting.
I cannot stress how important a quality daily structure is for our young working breeds in pet homes. Once they are adults with the skills they need to get through life, you can start to relax, but our young dogs need you to structure their day.
If you have a new puppy and want to get on the right track from the start, or you are worried that you're already in this unhealthy cycle with your dog, you can book a free call in here.
Liz Whelan GTA-AD 020 ABTC-ATI
Owner of DogScentric
Accredited instructor with the Gundog Trainers Academy (GTA-AD 020)
Accredited Animal Training Instructor with the ABTC (ABTC-ATI)
FdSc Canine Behaviour and Training (Hull University)
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