Dogs and Stress

Do dogs get stressed? Can they sense stress in their owners? And are they the ultimate stress-busters?

In many ways, dogs are just like people. Just as some humans get more wound up in certain situations than others, so it is with dogs. Some canine companions are naturally chilled, whereas others become all tense and twitchy at the slightest provocation.

Classical treatment
If your dog is highly strung, you should consider playing music to him. Not just any music, mind you, but classical music. Research has shown that dogs (in common with other animals, including cats and even chimpanzees!) respond particularly well to soothing classical sounds. Bach beats the barks, you could say!

Choose music that doesn’t have too many dynamics (no great changes in volume or tempo – a classical guitar or harp piece is believed to be best), and within a few minutes your dog should slip into a far more calm, serene state.

However, do not be tempted to leave the television or radio on when you are leaving your pet alone in the house. People often do this in the belief that the background noise provides ‘companionship’ for the animal. However, because of the natural changes in dynamics between different songs or different TV programmes, it can actually do more harm than good – meaning you come home to a dog that is anything but relaxed!

Do dogs sense stress in people?
Yes, is the short answer. However, some dogs are more highly attuned to their owners’ feelings than others and are correspondingly more likely to react to changes in human mood. For some dogs, this manifests as anxiety and a desire to keep out of the way, while other dogs will try to get even closer to their owners in an effort to comfort and soothe them with their presence.

Surprisingly, though, despite innumerable accounts from dog owners, scientists are not convinced that dogs can sense stress (or other moods). The boffins claim that there is a lack of hard evidence supporting the claims.

Doggy stress-busters
Again, the evidence is largely anecdotal, but it is compelling. Stories abound of dogs wagging their tails and licking their owners’ faces in an effort to cheer them up. And it has been scientifically proven that pet ownership helps reduce high blood pressure in humans. According to David Frei of the Delta Organisation in the US, ‘Watching your pet’s silly antics can make you laugh and help relieve stress’.

In addition, dogs reduce feelings of loneliness in people who live by themselves, particularly the elderly, while the sense of companionship has also been shown to help combat depression.

All in all, the reasons for having a dog just keep getting better!

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