The future of dog guardianship is: proactive. And this newsletter is packed full of useful knowledge.

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Did you know…

“Even if a pet's fearful behavior is manageable in the beginning, it's not likely to improve without help. We might hope that our dog will ‘grow out of it’, but most often that is not the case. Dogs who are anxious and fearful generally escalate and may show aggression if not helped”.
- From Fearful to Fear Free: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog from Anxiety, Fears, and Phobias. By Marty Becker DVM, Lisa Radosta DVM DACVB, et al.

Fear is one of the most damaging emotions a social species can experience. And it can occur at any age! But too often, we dismiss signs of fear, stress, or anxiety in our dogs and in ourselves, or fail to treat the underlying experience that’s causing the behavior.

We all want to raise confident, healthy, and outgoing dogs, but few of us know what to do when that isn’t the case. Let’s make 2024 the year of proactively supporting our dogs, ourselves, and those around us so we can all navigate fear with confidence.

Knowledge Nugget
The Stress Factor

In the book "From Fearful to Fear Free," why do you think the authors say, "a stressed and fearful animal is more prone to disease and infection"?

Think about which option(s) you would select. An explanation will be available at the bottom of this email.

• A) Rising cortisol levels suppress the immune system

• B) Dog is more likely to eat what it isn't supposed to

• C) The dog may suffer from digestive upset

• D) The dog is less likely to receive medical attention from a veterinarian

Hot Tip: Preparing for a confident year

Tip 1: To minimize the chances a dog will develop fear through experience, engage in continuous socialization beyond the two key "Fear Stages”. “Socialization” isn’t just about positive interactions with humans and dogs; consciously provide your dog with positive experiences to various sounds, sights, and textures, much of which can even be done at home. This ongoing effort is vital for their well-being, akin to how we need to stay active for fitness.

Tip 2: A “positive experience” is determined by your dog’s starting confidence level. You want to introduce things to your dog at a rate that you confidently know will allow them to remain calm, with loose body language, able to eat, and able to respond to your cues.

Tip 3: It’s okay to comfort a dog that’s fearful or anxious and, while doing so, it’s important that you maintain confidence since your dog will be influenced by your emotional state (AKA “Social Referencing”). As a society we have made significant progress in understanding mental health illnesses in humans, so let’s apply that understanding to our dogs as well.

What I’m Reading

• From Fearful to Fear Free - This is the first and most authoritative book on the subject of reducing Fear, Anxiety, Stress (FAS) and increasing "happy and calm" in dogs. Since pets communicate nonverbally, this book will help you recognize if your pet is suffering from FAS

• Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World - Humans are social creatures: In this simple and obvious fact lies both the problem and the solution to the current crisis of loneliness. In his groundbreaking book, the 19th surgeon general of the United States Dr. Vivek Murthy makes a case for loneliness as a public health concern

Key insights from my readings are translated into useful knowledge nuggets and lessons in the Pack Animals app. We find relatable inspiration from human and canine professionals alike. Have an idea of a useful resource I should read? Let me know!

Pack Animals Spotlight
Dr. Lisa Radosta

Dr. Lisa Radosta is a board certified Veterinary Behaviorist, and co-author of the book From Fearful to Fear Free, which we referenced in this newsletter.

Veterinarians are passionate and caring individuals, and they are also stretched thin with patient visits and caseloads. Dr. Radosta educates dog guardians so we can understand the Fear Free movement, how to advocate for our dog, and steps that can be taken at home to make the veterinary experience more enjoyable for all.

Knowledge Nugget Explained
The Stress Factor

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