Stress In Dogs

I would normally have a Fit Dog Friday post for everyone today, telling you about some sort of fun adventure and exercise we've had during the week. Unfortunately, this was the 4th of July week and we've had a rough week with two very stressed out dogs and we didn't do much. We didn't go on any adventures. We stayed at home, only taking short leash walks around our complex. That way if we heard any bangs we could hussle home where the dogs feel safe. I wanted to make sure the dogs were feeling better after being traumatized for several days in a row by explosions of fireworks in the neighborhood before taking them anywhere. We finally managed a short walk at the big park last night after the girls seemed to be more calm.

It can take several days for the stress hormone "cortisol" to work it's way out of a dog's system and I know from experience that when Phoenix has been stressed out she will make poor decisions. Zoe will tend to be hyper vigilant when she's been stressed and she has a hard time following my cues. When dogs are really scared they are unable to learn so it's better to let them calm down before attempting any training. I would prefer them to both be feeling better and back to normal before we do any off leash stuff. Both dogs were completely worn out anyways from being so stressed out and on edge that they spent most of the past few days sleeping.

So let's talk about stress. 

Out of Cookies!!!

"What happened to the cookies!?!"

Have you ever seen one of those funny shirts that says "Out of Beer, Life is Crap!"? Well we are officially out of cookies and both dogs have agreed that life is crap!

"Out of Cookies!! Life is Crap!"

Sisterly Love

I love it when I can get the girls to pose together! It makes photo shoots so much more fun!

Happy Wordless Wednesday everyone!

Fallout from the 4th of July.

While families are having barbecues and celebrating by blowing up the neighborhood, we sat in our hot apartment in fear of opening the windows that the booms would be even louder. Zoe huddling in terror in the bathroom and Phoenix either glued to my side of hiding behind the recliner, every 2 seconds the sky sounded like it was falling. Boom after boom until early in the morning. The entire weekend consisted of booms with only a bit of relief during the hottest part of the day. By the end of Monday, I started to feel punished by the fireworks as well. Watching your dogs having a panic attack with no way to comfort them is the worst feeling in the whole world and I started to feel jumpy at the booms, too.

I feel so badly for all of our dogs at this time of year. I wish there was a way to explain to them that it was dumb humans celebrating and that the booms can't hurt them. I can't imagine how our war vets must be feeling with all the booms going off, too. It must be so hard for them! I wish people would be more considerate and keep their celebration to the day instead of extending it for days on end and I worry about all the misplaced pets in shelters. I wonder if they will find their owners again. At least my dogs had the luxury of being tucked safely inside.

Since the celebrations started, Zoe does not want to go outside. When we get outside she mostly refuses to walk. I have to really coax her to go. She gets to grass, goes potty and then attempts to drag me back inside. Phoenix has been pretty much the same way. Neither dog is comfortable going out. Zoe has also been refusing her meals and we have to really beg her to eat or add toppers to her food to get her eating. I am really hoping that people will stop lighting stuff off and that my dogs calm down soon.

Dog Training Requires Patients!

Everyone loves a KISS!

Hi everyone! Today we are joining the Positive Pet Training Blog Hop! This month's them is "training mistakes" but any positive training posts are welcome. Thanks so much to the hosts and be sure to click around on the linky list to see the other ones!

Ah... training mistakes. There's so many places I could go with this but I'm going to take you on my own personal battle with myself. Fighting the "Frustration Demon."