08/11/2019
Allowing your dog to decompress and recover after a stressful event, or if your dog suffers from chronic stress and anxiety and for recent rescues is a must. Then and only then can learning begin.
A few words about stress and decompression.
When dogs experience stressful events their body undergoes a stress response (also known as “fight or flight”) during which the sympathetic nervous system is activated and stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, are released.
The following physiological changes occur: dilated pupils; increased heart rate & blood pressure; increased threshold for pain; inhibition of digestion, immune, and reproductive functions just to name a few.
It takes about 60-90 minutes for the body to clear the stress response (this can be longer for some dogs). During this time your dog may be unable to focus, respond to cues, or eat.
After all, if someone is running after me with a machete I won’t be too inclined to sit or look at you or solve even the simplest of math equations. There’s no time for that.
The stress response is activated by physical or psychological stressors, and by the *anticipation* of them.
Chronic stress, i.e constant activation of the stress response and spikes in stress hormones will lead to long-term immune system suppression, impaired healing, GI distress, changes in metabolism, reduced response to vaccines, and reduced ability to learn.
In fact, evidence shows that dogs living with chronic fear and anxiety have shorter lifespans. Stress can literally kill.
When we talk about keeping dogs under threshold and reducing their stress by reducing their exposure to triggers, this is why. It’s not a matter of opinion or convenience. It’s not optional. It’s simply imperative.
As is decompression. Allowing dogs adequate time to recover from stressful events by providing rest and activities that encourage relaxation is essential.
We can’t expect to change our dogs’ behavior without changing their environment, as no behavior occurs in a vaccuum. We have to look at the bigger picture and stress reduction and decompression are a central part of it.
For more information please see Stress in Dogs by Martina Scholz and Clarissa von Reinhardt; Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by Robert Sapolsky; and the study on the effects of stress on dogs’ lifespan here: https://centerforshelterdogs.tufts.edu/blog/can-stress-and-fear-affect-the-lifespan-of-dogs-what-about-humans/
