Resilience

“Achieving a positive outcome in the face of adversity.” Bruce McEwen

Stress impacts our world in more ways than we realize, and the same goes for the dogs in our life. Understanding these impacts is the first step in understanding our dogs.

Old-school methodologies would have us punishing our dogs for exhibiting signs of stress, which may result in compliance in the moment, but worse than suppression, it will compound fear responses and deteriorate your relationship with the dog. Thanks to authors like Kristina Spaulding, who has expertly distilled the latest knowledge on stress and neuroscience, we can help our dogs become more resilient and emotionally-stable. Whether your goal is performance-based or simply having a well-adjusted family pet, a resilient dog is much more likely to meet expectations.

At 140 pages (without citations) this concise read is highly recommended for anyone struggling with behavior issues. Herein you’ll learn a clear definition of stress, what happens physiologically during acute and chronic stress, how it may impact behavior, as well as some specific protocols to address issues in a way to acknowledges and supports the dog. You’ll also learn ways you can provide opportunities to build a more resilient, emotionally-healthy dog. Honestly, I think every dog guardian should read this book.