Dogs are not reactive - we are! ‘Reactivity’ is quite the buzzword in the dog world. There are many ‘experts’ extolling their methods of dealing with ‘reactive dogs.’ I think it is time we reviewed our approach. We need to consider and understand, based on scientific evidence, how our and our dogs’ nervous systems respond to stress, trauma, or emotional states.
Certainly, from my perspective, many dog owners seem to be doing the wrong thing with their dogs. Most of the time, they have been ‘advised’ by a trainer or a behaviourist to follow a certain course of action. Some ‘experts’, an increasing number, offer ‘reactive dog’ courses where they will deal with these dogs in a group situation. Just think about that for a second, in a group? Not the best place for a dog with issues.
I meet people with ‘distressed’ dogs pretty much every day. Often, they are shoveling treats down their dogs’ necks and are, desperately, trying to avoid any interaction with other dogs or people. They cross the road or dive into the woods to get out of the way. This is, usually, accompanied by warnings that their dog is ‘reactive.’ Indeed there is an industry for producing warning vests of other items of attire to signal that a dog is reactive. In my view, and I understand there will be rather indignant reactions to this piece, is that labeling our dogs in this way is unhelpful to the owner and the dog. I touch on this a little later on.
Let me make one thing clear. In any training or behavioural situation there are two, prime, participants - the dog and the owner. I think, in many cases, the focus is always on the dog and less so on the human involved. This is where the science comes in.
Polyvagal theory is a framework that explains how the nervous system responds to stress, trauma, and emotional states. It was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, a neuroscientist, and psychologist, and it has been applied to various fields, including psychology, medicine, and animal behaviour. I will explain how polyvagal theory can apply equally to dogs as humans and how it can help us understand and improve our relationship with our canine companions.
Polyvagal theory suggests that the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which regulates the body's internal organs and emotional behaviour, has three distinct states: the dorsal vagal state, the sympathetic arousal state, and the ventral vagal state. Each of these states has its own set of physiological responses and behavioural patterns.
The dorsal vagal state is the oldest and most primitive state of the ANS. It is associated with immobilisation, shutdown, and dissociation (the action of disconnecting or separating or the state of being disconnected from the current situation). This pathway is activated when the dog perceives a life-threatening danger and cannot escape or fight back. This state can be triggered by severe abuse, neglect, or trauma response in dogs or, indeed, any adverse, past experience. A dog in this state may appear depressed, withdrawn, or unresponsive.
The sympathetic arousal state is the second oldest state of the ANS. It is associated with mobilisation, fight-or-flight, and hyperarousal. It is activated when the organism perceives a threat or a challenge and needs to take action to survive or escape. This state is often seen in animals hunting or defending themselves from predators, such as lions or wolves. In dogs, this state can be triggered by fear, anxiety, or excitement. A dog in this state may appear aggressive, activated, or restless.
The ventral vagal state is the ANS's newest and most evolved state. It is associated with social engagement, co-regulation, and calmness. It is activated when the organism perceives safety and connection with others and can relax and enjoy life. This state is often seen in animals bonding or playing with their mates or offspring, such as dolphins or elephants. This state can be triggered in dogs by positive interactions with humans or other dogs. A dog in this state may appear happy, friendly, or relaxed.
Polyvagal theory helps us understand that dogs are not just behaving randomly or stubbornly when in different states of the ANS. They respond to their environment and history based on their nervous system's wiring. By recognising the signs of each state and providing appropriate support and guidance for our dogs, we can help them move from a state of distress to a state of well-being.
Some of the ways we can do this are:
for dogs in the dorsal vagal state, we can provide a safe and comfortable environment where they can feel secure and protected. We can avoid forcing them to do things they are not ready for or may overwhelm them. We can also use a gentle touch and soothing voice to help them feel our presence and care
for dogs in the sympathetic arousal state, we can provide outlets for their physical and mental energy, such as exercise, play, or training. We can also use specially designed calming protocols (please ask a qualified canine behaviourist to take you through these).
We can also teach them coping skills such as impulse control, relaxation, or redirection to help them manage their environments – again, seek professional help and ensure that your behaviourist takes a complete history of your dog before embarking on any behavioural work. Every situation is unique and requires individual care and attentionfor dogs in the ventral vagal state, we can provide opportunities for social interaction and bonding, such as cuddling, grooming, or games. We can also use positive reinforcement such as praise, treats, or toys to reward their good behaviour and strengthen our relationship with our dogs.
Alongside other evidence-based behavioural work, we can better understand our dogs' needs and emotions by considering polyvagal theory in relation to our dogs' behaviour. We can also improve our communication and trust with them. Polyvagal theory shows us that dogs are not so different from humans regarding their nervous system's functioning. They also need safety, connection, and joy in their lives.
When considering Polyvagal theory it is clear that it should be applied to the human as well as their dogs. We need to understand that, by working on our own emotional states, in a number of challenging situations, we can, directly, influence the behaviour and emotional responses of our canine companions
Let me give an example. I met an owner, only yesterday. She had a small dog who was a rescue and aged about 2 years. She had rehomed him around 7 months ago. This little guy had a bright yellow label on his lead warning that he was reactive! I stopped a little distance away with my rescued charge, a big Lucher. I told her what I did for a living and we had a conversation. During this time, I got down low on my haunches and encouraged her to loosen the lead of her dog, who was barking and lunging. I didn’t reach for him or, in fact, acknowledge him and kept my distance. Her dog calmed and barked less until he came to a stop with the noise. At this point, using a very quiet and gentle voice, I held a small treat in my palm; he approached, calmly and took it. We did this a few times. Now, every dog is different and will require adjustments to how they are helped. This is an example of co-regulation - the humans were calm and speaking in lower tones and the situation was calm, this had a direct effect on this dog.
In my view, labeling dogs, both in our minds and visibly is counter-productive to helping them. Owners of ‘labeled’ dogs can fall into a specific mindset. Often a ‘fixed’ mindset is in evidence with owners with ‘perceived’ problem dogs - this is the belief that abilities and traits cannot change. The result is that active action is taken to avoid any situations that may affect the dog. This fixed mindset can limit our dogs’ potential to develop or change and, can make us frustrated and angry when they don’t meet our expectations.
Alternatively, we can strive to adopt a ‘growth’ mindset. This is a belief that our and, our dogs, abilities, and traits can be improved/changed with effort and learning. This mindset can help us understand our dogs better because it allows us to see our dogs as individuals who can learn new skills and behaviours with positive reinforcement and patience. The growth mindset can help us build a stronger bond with our dogs and help them to thrive.
In Part 2, I will be talking about the window of tolerance (the optimal zone of arousal where a person (or a dog) can function effectively and cope with stress).
This post has been written with the valuable assistance of Sue Wright https://www.firstintheq.co.uk For any help with relaxing and keeping calm with our dogs, contact Sue or Mike to see how we can help.
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