Stress happens, especially with sporting dogs – dogs that hunt hard, travel often, and spend time in close quarters or wide-open spaces with other canine athletes.
Purina Senior Veterinarian RuthAnn Lobos, DVM, CCRT, CVAT says, “Anticipating the stressors, knowing signs of physical and psychological tension, and being proactive – from puppyhood to senior status – can help manage or mitigate the effects.”
“Before about 20 weeks the puppy’s brain is still forming and interpreting environmental stimuli and interactions with broad openness,” Dr. Lobos says. “That’s the time to expose them to all the things you want them to be calm and nonchalant with as adults – the crate, bicycles, the garbage truck, vacuum cleaner, babies crying, senior citizens, toddlers, big dogs, little dogs. Giving puppies the proper exposure and the tools to manage and process the stressors in a positive way will set them up for a resilient, successful life!”
Changes that challenge dogs to adapt create stress. Examples include boarding a dog, sending a sporting dog to a trainer, adding another dog or human to the household, or moving to a new location or environment.
Dr. Lobos adds that mild-to-moderate “controlled stressors” including exercise, training and obedience can be positive and aid in development.
“Puppies are learning about their world and what is ‘normal’ and controlled stress can teach them resilience and adaption,” Dr. Lobos says. “Exercise is a natural form of stress and teaches the body to adapt and grow.”
Travel is another stressor. Start with short trips in a crate with a “fun” reward when you reach your destination – like a run, walk or swim – along with a kibble.
“We are teaching them to go from ‘flight or fight’ mode into process, embrace and develop,” Dr. Lobos says.
Here’s Your Sign
Anxious behaviors in a dog are often signaled by pacing, excessive barking or panting, inability to “settle” and reluctance or refusal to accept treats. Signs can be subtle, like lip licking or yawning, or more severe like diarrhea and destructive behavior like chewing or digging.
Left unchecked, stress and anxious behaviors can become a habit or routine and get worse over time. Severe stress can also impact performance. Dr. Lobos recommends seeking advice from your veterinarian anytime their escalating reaction to stressors becomes a concern.
“The more proactive you can be in teaching your dog to be resilient, the easier it will be,” she says. “If stressful behavior has slipped beyond mild to severe, seeking professional help with a combination of behavioral, environmental and potential pharmaceutical interventions may be needed.”
Dr. Lobos says a multi-faceted approach is often needed to calm dogs and manage stress.
“I’m a fan of combining medications and training in severe cases,” she says. “In a perfect world, the owner may be able to wean the dog off of medications after training is adopted.”
Gut Check
Dr. Lobos emphasizes the importance of gut health.
“Physical and mental stressors can cause shifts in the balance of the microbiome – the organisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract, increasing the number of potentially pathogenic bacteria,” she says. “This shift can result in the clinical sign of diarrhea or even subclinical signs like loose stool and malabsorption of nutrients over time, adding up to poorer health.”
She notes the GI tract is also the largest immune organ – 70% of a pet’s immune system is in its gut – and keeping a stable, diverse microflora population is critical to overall health.
Purina scientists have helped advance the scientific field of gut health by demonstrating that specific probiotics can improve indicators of gut health and reduce severity of stress diarrhea.
Dr. Lobos points to two Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Supplements – FortiFlora® and Calming Care – that can be beneficial for dogs and cats in times of stress or anxiety.
“FortiFlora is the #1 veterinarian-recommended probiotic brand to support digestive health*, and a great option for situational stress like travel, exercise and environmental change,” she says. “FortiFlora also helps when our sporting dogs make bad dietary choices in the field.”
Dr. Lobos says Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Supplements Calming Care is another great tool, especially if the stress seems more related to a behavioral condition. A study presented at the Veterinary Behavior Symposium showed that 90% of dogs receiving B. longum 999 (the probiotic in Calming Care) showed an improvement in displaying anxious behaviors such as excessive vocalization, jumping, pacing and spinning. Dr. Lobos notes that the Calming Care supplement should be administered consistently, and it may take up to six weeks to see results.
Calm Before the Storm
Thunderstorms and loud noises – think fireworks or improper introduction to firearms – push some dogs to the limit.
Dr. Lobos recommends early and gradual exposure to household noises like clanging pots and pans and outdoor noises like lawnmowers and all-terrain vehicles.
Use common sense when introducing loud noises – start gradually and at a distance. Dogs with storm anxiety should be given a safe, confined and comfortable place to ride out the storm. Distractions with treats, toys, and background noise – like music – can also help. And if the next-door neighbor is planning a fireworks display on the 4th of July and your dog can’t tolerate fireworks – the best course is probably a road trip – thereby removing the dog from that environment.
Dr. Lobos adds that some dogs may develop stress and anxiety late in life.
“It could signal the start of cognitive changes and decline,” she says. “Again, be proactive and consult your veterinarian.”
Take a Stress Break
Rest is often an overlooked strategy – especially for sporting dogs that compete, hunt, or train on a daily basis. When fatigue sets in, the ability to process and manage through stressors decreases. Providing ample downtime enables the dog to recharge and relax.
Dr. Lobos says sporting dogs deal with physical and psychological stressors throughout their lives.
“Early exposure in controlled, positive environments can give our dogs the tools to navigate, mitigate and adapt through those scenarios,” she says. “As an owner, recognizing the physical signs and behaviors that indicate your dog is experiencing stress is also critical for your dog’s overall health and well-being. The myriad of adventures are endless with a calm, confident and mentally resilient dog.”
For more pet health tips, follow Dr. RuthAnn on Instagram.
*Relevation Veterinary Tracker, 2023.
