“Fear is the most damaging emotion a social species can experience. It causes permanent damage to the brain.”
Does it surprise you to know that too much fear, anxiety, or stress can cause health problems in dogs? Some dogs are terrorized frequently, such as attending inappropriate aversive dog training classes, or even a sick dog who needs to see the veterinarian frequently. Some caretakers have no clue their dog is even fearful.
A book and a movement
“From Fearful to Fear Free: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog from Anxiety, Fears and Phobias” is definitely the most important pet book of the year, and likely of the decade. The primary author is Fear Free creator, Dr. Marty Becker, with co-authors certified veterinary behaviorists Dr. Lisa Radosta and Dr. Wailani Sung, and certified pet dog trainer Mikkel Becker. It’s an easy-to-read book, written with pet parents in mind.
At the start of the book, there’s a quote in giant block letters, from a giant in veterinary behavior Dr. Karen Overall, “Fear is the most damaging emotion a social species can experience. It causes permanent damage to the brain.”
So why is this topic SO important? For starters, veterinarians can’t help pets they’re not seeing. Early diagnosis generally means a better prognosis (as well as financial savings). Veterinary check-ups have tremendous value.
Also, while of course, pet parents know their dogs, they may be unaware of many signs of fear. For example, a “tight-lipped” dog may not be trying to keep a secret but be afraid. Yawning can mean a dog is tired, or just got up from a nap but also can be a sign of anxiety or fear in a different context.
Fear Free at the vet
We know exactly why veterinary visits are down, and there are several contributing factors, including not understanding the need for checkups and cost. Pet caretakers check Dr. Google – and if all seems okay, they assume that their pet will be just fine. However, the principal issue is that if our pets are unhappy at the vet, we’re not likely to want to subject them to this unless they absolutely need care. As the human-animal bond has grown it’s no longer acceptable to allow our “fur babies” to feel so fearful.
How fearful is that dog panting and whining in the vet office waiting room? Or the dog shaking at the groomer? Or a dog excessively barking at a training class? Here’s how fearful these pups are: They likely think they are going to die.
It doesn’t need to be this way, which is what the core of the Fear Free movement exploding on veterinary medicine is all about.
Fear Free at home
Dogs and humans evolved together, and it’s always wonderful to behold and witness a child growing up with a dog. There are so many advantages – on both sides – when it’s right. And an entire chapter, “Dogs and Kids: Building a Fear Friendship” is devoted to this.
It turns out there’s increasing scientific evidence to substantiate that socialization and training are incredibly beneficial. However, that’s only the right kind of training. Discussion includes the use of equipment like shock collars and the truth regarding the price dogs pay for a lifetime when punishment-based methods are used. Or methods we might not even know aren’t beneficial, such as flooding, which is explained in the book. So, what techniques are proven to work, to motivate dogs rather than instill fear, anxiety, and stress?
Our dogs have that same neurochemistry soup in their heads as we have in ours, so addressing emotional health is as important (and intertwined) with addressing physical health. This sounds so simple and logical – and it is – but it’s not been done this way before. Fear Free is transformational.
Fear Free can begin in your home, aside from the book, you can learn more at www.fearfreehappyhomes.com.