Office Dogs by Stephanie Rousseau

Author:Stephanie Rousseau
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Dogs as pets
Publisher: Veloce Publishing Ltd
Published: 2019-06-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 3

Stressors

Too much stress is the primary cause of many of the behavioural problems I encounter in dogs. Stress in dogs is a rather interesting topic, as we usually associate stress with negative experiences. The first thing to remember about stress is that, physiologically, ‘good’ stress and ‘bad’ stress have the exact same impact on the body.

Stress occurs when the body enters a ‘fight or flight’ state as a result of danger or pain, or perceived danger or pain, or when the body needs to prepare for some sort of action. As the body prepares for this, it gears up those of its functions that will be of use in such a situation, and switches off the ‘house-keeping’ functions not necessary for immediate survival. The body is designed to enter this alert state occasionally, and then return to a state of calm in which homeostasis can occur. Problems arise, however, when the body spends too much time in this aroused state, as there is not enough time spent in ‘house-keeping’ mode. As a result, the body cannot maintain a state of homeostasis, and becomes vulnerable to a host of problems .

The adverse effects of stress on the body include –

increased heart rate

release of the anti-diuretic hormone ADH, resulting in the need to urinate (the body’s way of jettisoning excess weight in preparation for action)

impact on the immune system, resulting in illness, or even auto-immune disorders in some cases

pain is not felt so acutely as a result of adrenaline in the system, making injury more likely

because the body is primed for action, the dog is more likely to react to stimuli (this could be other dogs, cyclists, joggers, cats, etc)

gastro-intestinal upsets such as loose stools and vomiting

reproductive disorders

Homeostasis

The process by which the body maintains an internal environment that is optimal to survival

Cortisol – the body’s main stress hormone – is released in times of stress, and can cause extensive damage to the body. Cortisol is released at a slower rate than adrenaline, but stays in the system longer, which means that when stressful events occur frequently, cortisol levels can remain elevated for extended periods of time, resulting in cells in the body being killed. Cells in the brain are particularly susceptible to the effects of cortisol, which not only kills brain cells, but also inhibits the production of new ones.

So, how can we ensure that a dog’s experience of the workplace is as stress-free as possible?

The journey

Your journey to work may take a little more planning with your dog in tow. Keeping the journey as stress-free as possible will ensure that your dog gets off to a nice calm start in the office!

Travelling by car

If you’re planning to drive to work, it’s important to ensure that your dog is comfortable in the car. If he’s unused to travelling by car, gradually acclimatise him to this.

Perhaps start off by scattering some treats in the car, with the doors open (whilst it’s stationary, of course!), so he can potter around the car at his ease, having a nice time.

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