Stress on you, means stress for your dog too!!
Don't stress out your pup!!!
We are living in some turbulent times. The economy is on the skids, people are losing their jobs and in some cases their homes. What people had saved for education or retirement is quickly diminishing due to the volatility in the stock market. All of these factors, coupled with the pending election have people majorly stressed out. You aren’t the only one who feels the stress. Your dog feels your stress and reacts to it as well.
If you are not up to your usual self, your dog can sense that and dealing with it can be difficult for him/her. Remember, they exist to make you happy and if you aren’t happy, they know it. They may act out and behave abnormally because they are reacting to the emotions that you are showing. Dogs who are under stress for long periods of time can develop physiological, behavior and anatomical responses. Studies on shelter dogs demonstrated that excessive noise from barking that went on for long periods of time would cause stress in many of the shelter dogs. They would get physically ill and many would act out in ways that were not common for them.
Chemically, the responses that dogs demonstrate as a result of stress are very close to that of humans. Stress causes the body to release adrenaline and cortisol hormones. These chemicals cause heart rate and respiration to speed up, and suppress the immune system. And even though we believe dogs do what nature tells them to do in the reproductive sense, stress can lower the urge dogs have to mate. This lowers reproductive hormones that can lead to cardiovascular disease in the dogs.
So while we all are going through some tough times right now, remember the ones who love us most unconditionally need us too. Try and keep a positive attitude, smile and play with your pooch. It will be good for both of you.
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