The Dog Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [7]
Our dogs often seem to be able to shoo away the blues, turn sadness into gladness, and restore self-confidence. They do seem to care about our moods. They calm us down. They listen without interruption or judgment, just like a psychologist.
Dogs make great therapists because they provide unconditional empathy, positive regard, and genuineness. They are great listeners who don’t judge. They allow us to talk out a problem and to let off some steam, which reduces our distress and lowers our blood pressure. This unqualified acceptance allows dogs to touch all types of people, from those experiencing mental or physical illnesses to those who live alone or who need motivation to leave the house and get some exercise.
Ginger has plenty of canine company. Throughout history, dogs have served as confidants and emotional support systems for many people, including the famous and infamous. When Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in the Castle of Fotheringhay in England, she was denied human contact except for a priest and a servant woman, but she was permitted to keep her terrier, Geddon. As she approached the gallows to be beheaded, Mary hid her dog under her long skirt because she wanted him to be with her to the very end.
During World War II, General Dwight D. Eisenhower took Caicca, his Scottish terrier, with him during his North Africa tour. In letters to his wife Mamie, Eisenhower remarked that Caicca was the only companion he could really talk to and the only one who would not turn the conversation back to the topic of war.
For everyday problems, nothing beats a canine pal. I know that when I return home feeling drained or depressed, my mood quickly lifts when Chipper greets me with a full-body wiggle, clutching her favorite toy in her mouth and wagging her tail.
Solution for Serious Shyness
Q We recently rescued an extremely shy greyhound named Cyrus from a farm where he was kept in a barn for nearly the first year of his life. He and a bunch of other greyhounds were virtually isolated from the rest of the world and left to starve by an uncaring breeder. Cyrus acts anxious and submissive, and often cowers or slinks away when we try to pet him. He is afraid of everyday sights and sounds like vacuum cleaners and televisions. What can we do to boost his confidence and conquer his shyness?
A Cyrus has a lot to process after his many months inside a very small world. He is still transitioning from those bad puppy days and has yet to realize that your home is both loving and permanent. It is important that you exercise lots of gentleness and patience with him while he adjusts to his new life. When I adopted Chipper, she was just over a year old and had lived in three shelters and one husky rescue camp. Like Cyrus, she lacked exposure to items and activities most dogs take for granted. She paced nervously inside my house. On her leash, she would walk side to side, seeming to be on the lookout for a place to hide. If I spoke loudly, she would go belly-up and cower. It took about six months of consistent obedience training and consistent daily routines for Chipper’s true personality to begin to flourish. These days she is a happy, confident jokester, always ready for a car ride and eager to make new friends.
The same transformation can happen with Cyrus. Time is your ally as you and your family strive to earn Cyrus’s trust. It is common for submissive dogs to cower, avoid direct eye contact, and try to make themselves look smaller to avoid conflict. In extreme situations, they will tuck their tail between their legs and expose their bellies. In dog language, these actions convey that the dog poses no challenge to you — whom he regards as higher in the hierarchy.
Cyrus will gain confidence if he learns the household rules with plenty of TLC and support. Start by not forcing him into any scary situations. Try to move slowly around him and let him know that he can trust you to act consistently. Establish a routine for him