Let your dogs help you cope with the lockdown due to corona virus.Taking care of one’s pets benefits not only the non-human animals but humans too.
The advent of corona virus has led to multifarious stressors for individuals, including a disruption of their routine lives and schedules. The uncertainty regarding the spread of the virus, the lockdown, economic changes, reduced activity, and social contact has led to rising mental health issues and concerns. These psychological strains impact one’s behaviour and interactions with one’s family members, including pet dogs. The stressors affect not only the humans, but the dogs too, who can understand and pick on the changes in their human’s emotions. In fact, dogs are known to be able to identify changes in their human’s emotions and even slight changes in their facial expressions, which other humans might not be able to identify. There is a simple way to address this, which is mutually beneficial for humans and pets alike!
As professionals and officials all over the world work hard to bring the ongoing pandemic under control, we are required to stay indoors. This means no more long walks and outdoor time. However, simple indoor games can be used to engage them. A lesser-known fact is that this engagement is further beneficial to humans too and can improve the way they cope with these uncertain times. Most dogs are food motivated, which can be very advantageous for us. Hiding treats around the house is a great way to stimulate the dog’s senses, especially olfactory, as they hunt for these treats and stay active and engaged for a long time.
Depending on the dog’s capabilities, these treats can be hidden in easy to locate or more difficult spots, such as under a carpet. For dogs not motivated by food, toys, or any other possessions that they are drawn towards, can be hidden. A rope or long toy can also be tied to a pole, railing, or firm surface for the dog to tug on.In case, space is a problem, treats can be hidden inside a piece of cloth that can then be folded multiple times with treats inside each fold. This can further be made more difficult by hiding it inside a box. However, ensure to supervise all activities to ascertain that the dog does not harm itself or ingest any other material while searching for the treat.
Activities help to mentally stimulate the dogs:
These activities help to mentally stimulate the dogs and activate the use of various muscles and nerve endings in their mouth. Their senses are involved in searching for treats or toys which further helps to release pent up energy. These activities help to reduce stress, boredom and keep them active. This further enables them to rest and sleep better. Engaging in such physical activities is not beneficial for the dog alone! Humans too, gain from it. Dogs have been known to provide a great source of distraction and entertainment. This distraction takes the person’s thoughts away from their issues and troubles. These individuals can then begin to gain self-monitored control over their anxieties and worries.
An act as simple as petting and cuddling with one’s pet can help reduce distress, sadness, anxiety, lower heart rate and blood pressure. It further improves social interactions, feelings of pleasure and companionship. Positive physical contact helps release a chemical called oxytocin which also impacts one’s immune system, which is much needed in the current scenario. It helps to increase the threshold for pain, reduces inflammatory effects, and provides anxiolytic effect, further reducing anxiety and related symptoms. Oxytocin is present throughout the nervous system and plays an important role by impacting other neurotransmitters and chemicals which regulate various important functions.
Stressful periods increase the production of cortisol which can compromise the cardiovascular functioning and immunocompetence. This impacts the individual’s ability to fight infections. Engaging interactions with dogs can help reduce this stress greatly by reducing levels of cortisol as well. This reduced level of cortisol also aids decision making and memory. It reduces anxiety, depression, improves emotional processing and relationships. The humans will be more active and stay motivated for longer. There has been evidence of reduced aggression and self-harming tendencies too. Such interactions have not only immediate short-term effects but also a long-term impact. They have had a reduced number of health concerns and lesser visits to the doctor.
Schedule your day and interactions with the dog:
An enhanced sense of responsibly and improved empathy followed. Individuals have reported better overall health and well-being. Yes, the benefits are multifarious, but one must be mindful that one day, this lockdown will end, and routines are going to go back to normal. Hence is it very important to schedule your day and interactions with the dog, as close to the usual routine as possible. This means that individuals should consider giving the dogs enough alone time in their daily routine, as they are used to. Even if it means around 2-3 hours of leaving the dog on his own, to catch up on sleep and ensuring that there is no movement or noises that will disturb them.
With everyone at home due to the lockdown, it is essential to take into consideration the impact of the number of people present on the dog. Overburdening them with excessive movement and contact should be avoided. This will stress them further and prevent the required 14-16 hours a day of sleep, recommended for them. Taking care of one’s pets benefits not only the non-human animals but humans too. This lockdown let your dogs help you cope!
Unnati G Hunjan
8th Block, Koramangala, Bangalore- 95
Email: unnatihunjan5@gmail.com
Mob: +91-9545959282
About the Author
Unnati Hunjan is a psychologist, an animal-assisted therapist. Neuropsychology and animal-assisted interventions are the major focus of her PhD, under the guidance of Dr Jayasankara Reddy, Christ University, Bangalore. In these fields, she has conducted numerous workshops, courses and presented on national and international platforms. With her initiative at Therapeutic Paws, India, she is aiming to bring about the much-needed awareness about animal-assisted interventions and the ethical ways to practice it.
