Understanding Emotional Regulation In Dogs To Create Calm
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- Do you know how your dog or puppy self-regulates or dysregulates? Or how your dog self-soothes? Most dog owners don’t, and it could be the root of behavioral challenges around your home. Dogs show dysregulation or self-regulation much like humans. Your dog’s responses aren’t the same as choosing right from wrong but a reflection of emotional regulation. Today I’m breaking down what healthy self-regulation looks like and how to recognize and help your dog’s coping mechanisms for a happier, healthier co-existence.
🐾 In this episode...
00:00 How do dogs and puppies self-regulate?
00:45 Definition of canine self-regulation.
01:15 Dogs don’t think in ‘right vs. wrong’ terms.
01:42 Examples of self-regulation in animals.
02:20 Dysregulation in dogs.
03:02 Side effects of chronic dysregulation.
04:02 Resiliency and self-regulation.
04:30 Some dogs don’t learn to naturally self-regulate.
05:22 Signs of possible dysregulation in puppies and dogs.
06:10 Factors contributing to dysregulation.
08:18 Trigger stacking’s role in dysregulation.
10:28 Why dogs destroy things and what it really means.
10:48 3 ways dogs naturally self-regulate.
11:23 How This! self-regulates in my home.
12:01 Self-soothing behaviors and coping strategies.
12:52 Self-soothing behaviors and OCD.
14:51 Co-regulating benefits.
15:32 Strategy for co-regulating unwanted behaviors.
In the episode you'll hear:
• How to recognize self-regulation and dysregulation in dogs.
• The definition of canine self-regulation.
• That dogs don’t choose right from wrong.
• What dysregulation looks like in dogs.
• That resilience to stress is a byproduct of healthy self-regulation.
• That puppies or rescue dogs cannot self-regulate instantly.
• The possible signs of dysregulation puppies and dogs display.
• Factors that contribute to canine dysregulation.
• About my own puppy’s and rescue’s dysregulation.
• How environment impacts self-regulation.
• About normalizing certain conditions to help dogs.
• What “destructive” dogs are really communicating.
• The ways puppies and dogs naturally self-regulate.
• About canine self-soothing behaviors and coping mechanisms.
• How co-regulation facilitates self-regulation for dogs.
Resources:
1. UA-cam Playlist: The Emotional State of Dogs with Susan Garrett - • The Emotional State of...
2. Podcast Episode 64: Help! How Can I Tell My Dog He’s Wrong? - • Help! How Can I Tell M...
3. Podcast Episode 78: How to Train a Rescue Dog with Behavior Problems - • How to Train a Rescue ...
4. Podcast Episode 48: Potty Train Your Puppy in a Week (Easy 3 Step Process) - • Potty Train Your Puppy...
5. UA-cam Playlist: Puppy Essentials with Susan Garrett Dog Training - • Puppy Essentials with ...
6. Podcast Episode 204: Dog Behavior And Diet: Recovery For This! Beyond Dog Training Part 2 - • Dog Behavior And Diet:...
7. Podcast Episode 112: Stressed Dog? How Trigger Stacking Might Be Putting Your Dog Over Threshold - • Stressed Dog? How Trig...
8. Podcast Episode 200: Solve Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety With FRIDA: Expanding Calm With Functional Relaxation - • Solve Your Dog's Separ...
P.S. Subscribe to our UA-cam Channel so you get notifications of new videos!
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Dogs That is brought to you by Susan Garrett and the Say Yes Dog Training Team.
Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behaviour started at the University of Guelph where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science. Since then she has developed into a preeminent dog trainer and canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most successful agility competitors of the last three decades. She has won multiple Gold Medals at National or World Championship events with every dog she has ever owned over the past 30 years.
A natural teacher and an entertaining speaker, Susan is world renowned as a leading educator of dog trainers. Her understanding of how to apply science-based learning principles to both competitive and family pet dog training has been pivotal in changing how dogs are trained.
Susan is now helping many thousands of dog owners in 132 countries have the best relationship possible with their dogs. The real joy for her comes from bringing confidence to dogs and their owner through playful interactions and relationship building games that are grounded firmly in the science of how animals learn.
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Our Website: dogsthat.com
Facebook: / susangarrettdogagility
Instagram: / susangarrettdogsthat
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LinkedIn: / dogsthat
Pinterest: pinterest.ca/dogsthatcom/
Twitter: / susangarrett - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
Our series on dysregulation is now in a playlist - ua-cam.com/play/PLphRRSxcMHy0ZnXC_lczh942HhB0Vdo5v.html
Check out these resources to help your dog:
Understanding Trigger Stacking - ua-cam.com/video/Vxp2rQC8VMY/v-deo.html
Relaxation Protocol for Dogs - ua-cam.com/video/FRmLd4k5qGk/v-deo.html
Help for Separation Anxiety - ua-cam.com/video/nr-qRKBCPUE/v-deo.html
You can learn about my dog This! and our story together so far:
This!’s Story Part 1 - ua-cam.com/video/ph0ud1Xx9I8/v-deo.html
This!’s Story Part 2 - ua-cam.com/video/OhlV8M10O2U/v-deo.html
HUMPING.. omg the humping.
Hi Susan 😊 Greetings from Germany.
This was meant for me to see. I'm training an 18 month German Elo right now that ejaculates everytime time he gets excited. He doesn't hump/claw, he doesn't do it around other dogs (male or female). No dominance or mating drive. However, when he gets excited to see his favorite people, he walks in circles ejaculating for 1 Minute plus....indoors and outdoors. Therafter he is in a daze for 2-3 Minutes. He even gets "excited" when it's time to train. We worked on impulse-control through games. We can leave the room with treats on his paws and he waits for release, we can walk around hidden Liverwurst (his fave) and he reliably keeps his heel. He is sovereign around all animals - even reactive dogs. Clearly, I need to suggest an interrupting / alternative behavior. Any suggestions and ideas would be helpful. Thank you in advance!
This is the best podcast I have ever listened to! Who thinks about THEIR emotions when talking about training a dog? Who thinks about arguments affecting their dog? Who thinks about relaxing before saying something to a dog? Susan does!! LOL This podcast has changed my entire way of thinking about my dog and that's priceless :) Thank you so much.
Thank you! 💖
i actually sought out therapy for myself so i could show up better for my pets, be a better caretaker and create a safe home for them to be themselves in. it's a work in progress.
Gallatin's dysregulation is overexcitement when he sees anyone new. He loves the attention but gets so excited and jumps up on people or other dogs which causes them to not want to give him attention. He will come to me and sit and laydown when called but breaks the down position within seconds to try to go back to get attention. He is one of the most loving dogs I have ever owned and is amazingly smart but just can not regulate when anyone new comes within his sight.
We have exactly the same issue 😀
Yes! I would Love more strategies and help! Our 8 month golden retriever, Murphy eats grass nonstop. I definitely appears to be a self regulating habit. He can’t even play outside. He’d rather have his head down and simply eat, eat grass. He’s not a grazer he’s an eater. It’s like a need. He’s done it since the last snow melted here in the Midwest and hasn’t stopped. We’ve tried adding toys, fetch, leave it and we are just at a loss. We can’t let him out by himself to just get some fresh air because we wouldn’t have a yard left and he’d be sick. We would love some ideas to help him. Thanks Susan!!!! We are in Homeschool and loving it!!!!
I think you tube must know what's happening in my house. We have just got a one year old dog to foster, he is under socialized and has little to no self regulation. Three days ago, when he arrived, he was up in my dogs faces, humping, mouthing, not resting at all, jumping up at people, and pacing. Fast forward and after some crate games, using a baby gate to make him a safe space where he can see us all but not get reinforcement for his behavior, and consistency, teaching him to wait at doors and gates, he is so much more settled and happy. Last night he voluntarily went into his crate to rest and although the rest time was short, he did so three times. I am so grateful for what I have learned from your podcasts and you tubes Susan. Thank you!
This was a very interesting topic! I have a rescue dog with the self soothing behaviour licking. She’s licking her paws, her back, the sofa, the floor… It seems as she does this as some sort of stress release behaviour. The licking has decreased during the time she’s stayed with us (almost a year), but it shows up from time to time. I would really appreciate a podcast episode with a deep dive in self soothing behaviours in order to understand this better. She gets food from a LickiMat, long lasting chews and she gets enough physical and mental stimulation living with us. I guess it just takes a while to get rid of all of her stress.
THANKS SUSAN FOR ANOTHER EXTREMELY VALUABLE PODCAST!! I'm a dog trainer and the small dog I had when I first opened the school, "Lily " frequently dysregulated by "humping" a stuffed dog puppet ( Folkmanis Airedale that I called Fifi). Whenever I was working with another dog who was getting clicks & treats, Lily would grab Fifi and quietly have her way, then lie down next to Fifi and chill. Clients were often surprised and embarrassed by this but I told them "it's just something that helps her deal with stress -- and I am happy she's doing it with Fifi and not anyone's leg". Then I invited another trainer to help me with my new puppy. When this trainer saw Lily doing Fifi, she said that was NOT good and I should take Fifi away. We put Fifi in a box and Lily lay down next to the box and let out a little whine...then she pawed at the box... it escalated to the most anguished cries, literally tearing my heart out. The trainer said "See, that's not healthy!" The trainer left soon after and I immediately ran to the box and gave Lily her Fifi, profusely apologizing to my poor sweet girl. She was so relieved to have her Fifi back, that I NEVER EVER again took it away AND I bought a SECOND ( identical) one to keep at home -- which I called Newfi ( for new Fifi). Lily used both Fifis to dysregulate, but preferred her original Fifi. My thinking was that "Life is sometimes hard to deal with. If you find SOMETHING that helps you get through the stress -- something that doesn't break any laws or hurt anyone (including yourself), that's a great gift! -- Cherish it and use it."
Lily was a brilliant, well-behaved little dog. It breaks my heart to think about those few minutes I took away her Fifi, but thank you Susan for this valuable Podcast! I feel validated in my decision to give Fifi back and buy Newfi. ( although the other trainer still disagrees with my choice).
💕💕💕💕💕💕
This is so sweet. It comes back to the idea that “good” vs “bad” behavior is largely a human made construct that has nothing to do with wellbeing
Yes - I have an insecure dog and I’ve been working to help him learn to relax. A lot of what you said clicked - I think we are stuck in co-regulation and would love to hear more about moving him into self regulation.
I encourage my puppies to learn to play with toys on their own instead of always needing interaction. Some of the time I will interact with them physically with a toy, some of the time I will only verbally interact with them with a toy telling them to "get it" or "kill it". Once they get going on it I decrease my influence so that they're getting the positive energy release just from themselves playing with the toy. I found this really helpful as self-regulation tactic. Then as adults when they need to get rid of some energy, they're always allowed to go play with their toys.
For stress relief, all my dogs have their own crates that they can choose to put themselves in when they need space to themselves. This helps them when guest dogs or humans are around or when something is happening in the house that they dislike (like vacuuming).
They always have old raw bones available to them for chewing as well. This helps regulate that need to just mouth something. One of my dogs knows how to ask for something that's appropriate to chew on... He brings a shoe or a slipper to a human and puts it in their lap. This was of course an accidental training from when he was a puppy and we always replaced anything he wasn't supposed to have with something he could chew on.
I got my JRt at 5 weeks. She was abandoned. I have done all I know to teach her. One of the biggest challenges I had with her was biting. She is doing really well and even most times she wants to bite she runs for a toy. I dont have the damage to my house that you see with chewers. She is 17 weeks and I realize more is coming. I keep her busy and active with naps in between and that seems to have worked so far.
Tfs.
Thank you Susan, such an central topic for all dog owners! Yes please, expand on this and on how to help dogs move from dys- to co- to self-regulation! We have a variety of dysregulation/coregulation behaviours, if defined as wide as you did in the podcast. Here two problematic ones as examples:
- crossing dogs onleash | we have worked so intensitly to move from full blown dyregulation (rectivity) to co-regulation and self-regulation. But progress is unnerving slow and we are stuck at co-regulation in specific contexts (narrow, frontal crossing; big, dark dogs)
- barking when postman/strangers pass by | tried to countercondition that, co-regulation works good (e.g. send to hotzone when people come), but we are stuck at co-reg. If I'm in a different room and not there to help her / tell her what to do, she still can't deal with it
THANK YOU!
Water is my Aussie puppy’s zen place. He will sit like a statue for an hour watching the waves and ducks and never barks at them. He loves when it is storming and waves are crashing up on the wall. We keep the door open all the time and he will just go out there of his own accord when his getting overwhelmed with too much dog play.
We had to put up a fence to keep him from swimming too far out on his own. I also chuck kibble around for all the dogs to forage after lots of play.
If he gets too amped up at the dog park playing with other dogs I take him to the dog beach and sit on a bench and read while he hangs out in the water, when he is calm he comes out and we walk quietly home.
I think in winter he will exchange water for ice and snow
In the house I started by having him by going to his bed with a beef cheek. Now he just goes to his bed on his own.
Lick mat was genius! So crazy how you are creative to help dogs and owner become happy to find common ground.
Brilliant. Just what we needed with a new dog joining the pack. Thank you
Awesome, Vivien, congrats on your new dog, have fun! 💕
I sure need more on this topic please!❤Thank you so much for your help and advices.
Many people still blame dog behavior problems to domination as if it's just how the dog is born and there's nothing you can do about it. I am glad to hear on this vedio that I can do things together with my dog to re-direct his energy and emotion and to help him to live a happier life in human's society. And I myself am also a happier person when I know my dog is happy.❤
Yes - would like to hear more! I’m wondering if what I think of as reactivity in my dog, is dysregulation. He lunges and barks at things that move, especially bikes or joggers, kids running, anyone coming toward us outside. (Then again he IS a border collie…) Today at the vet clinic we waited outside on the bench and I saw him as a calmer dog not reacting as much to all these things - I was working on having him lie down in a settle position. A vet tech came up to him and petted him with only happy reactions from Kep. Dogs and people walked in and out and Kep kept his cool for the most part. (A boy running was too much.) I’m thinking I need to find places to go sit like this to help, as Susan said, “normalize” the thing that causes problems.
I loved this episode and would love to learn more about moving from disregulation ->coregulation ->self regulation. My mini Aussie is super vocal (barking) to demand a chew stick after dinner, to play tug, and (separately) the door to be opened for her to go outside when it’s walk time. These are all fine activities, but I would love to move toward a more polite ask (she gets super obnoxious with her bark/demands). My older Papillon tends to lick fabrics, and I would love to figure out an alternate option (haven’t been able to find something as a replacement that he accepts). Thank you!!
Yes, please, I would love to see more on this topic.
Thanks so much. My dog Toby loses it with greeting people he knows and loves. It is basically barking - very loud and annoying, and then jumping on me if I hug anyone. He can re-direct himself to a stick or toy sometimes, but then drops it and barks. I can see him looking at me, and I think he wants me to help him, but I don’t know how. We have a great boundary system for when my clients arrive at the house, but it does not work for family and friends - he goes berserk and cannot regulate himself or do what I ask him to do even for a reward. An episode addressing this specific issue would be great.
Yes, I would like to always learn more from you! What a great episode, but then they all are : )
My guy is afraid during thunderstorms that are very close. He used to panic bark and travel around the house, in and out of the shower. He couldn't settle. I did help him through crate-training (thank you, team Recallers) so he would put himself in the crate, but still bark if it became too loud. Recently, our now-adopted foster used to lie under my desk at my feet. Badger is now using this technique, on his own volition, to calm himself instead of the crate. He is as quiet as a mouse.
Irregular sleep patterns are something I recognized subconciously and started to regulate - now my rescue has 2 distinct sleep times every day that I try not to interrupt: over night (~9pm - 7am) and mid-workday (~10:30am - 4pm). She definitely makes worse choices if her mid-day sleep schedule is interrupted!
I'd love to hear more about both co-regulation and self-regulation, especially for over-excited dogs!
Those are great observations and a great way to help your dog! 💕 Stay tuned for our next Shaped By Dog episodes this week 😊
As someone with Autism it is very easy for me to recognise when a dog is emotionally disregulated due to (for example) overstimulation from one or more of their senses. I see it in dogs all the time, but the owners do not recognise it at all because they can not relate to it. People sorta 'get' a dog getting overstimulated by loud sounds or lots of sights going on, but that's about as far as their understanding goes. Absolutely no one is talking about tactile overstimulation or scent overstimulation, which is something I personally struggle with a lot. Some examples are; Dogs being asked to down or settle on hard surfaces while it doesn't feel comfortable on their ellbows and other parts of their body. Dogs wearing too much, too heavy and too tight gear (collars, harnesses, clothing etc.) that is overstimulating them. Dogs disliking the texture of the ground they're expected to perform on (e.g. concrete or pebbles or a slippery floor), dogs feeling slightly stressed because of long leashes getting caught around their legs, tethered or crated dogs feeling claustrophobic, dogs feeling overwhelmed by the strong smells and change in air pressure inside malls/shops, dogs being trained in a fenced off dog potty area that is absolutely filled with smells of other dogs which is continously distracting them, dogs not liking certain body movements that they are expected to perform as a trick (e.g. a hand touch with their nose)
I absolutely DO want to see more on this topic. One of Annie's self-regulating behaviors is nibbling on her feet. Does it make sense to say that she does and doesn't have good self regulation? For example, through crate games, she's pretty good and holding position even when challenged, but when someone comes to greet her, even someone she sees every day or week, she is just beside herself with wiggles, whiny vocalizations, turning around and around in circles, and the like. Even with all of our training efforts It is still next to impossible for her to regulate that energy. After that initial greeting, she's able to settle back to a normal threshold. Meanwhile, I see Zaila (1 y.o.) still developing that self-regulation when I ask for a behavior and she'll vocalize, quite humorously, even as she contorting herself to offer the behavior. 😀Anyway, I think this is a great topic area!
My puppy has just turned 1 and he still suckles on his toys. It's very cute, but I did wonder if it was normal. Good to know it's a healthy behaviour. He's my first dog, I'm so pleased I found games based training and have been able to give him the best start ❤ we are currently making our way through Home School the Dog and would would recommend Susan's training to everyone! 🐶
Moving beyond coregulation!!
Great episode. I would like to learn more co-regulating and then how to support him in self regulating. My Neutered male Aussie, he is very vocal and a singer, that's except when he gets over excited/stressed then it can whine and when it comes to a jogger or some, squirrels and some, dogs, either walking in our city neighborhood or at the park. Then its more like a screaming turkey gobble sound and off the charts escalation and falls into stress. Not aggressive but excited turns to a bit cray cray. He is going to be 3 in Sept.
I have been using some of your other episodes to help. Now We only go to the park for a little off leash run when we have it to ourselves for a few minutes. we play tug for the Tug command and the "let" command (let go) he likes it and its a great way to help him self regulate when he's excited and knows to settle and come down from that. a work in progress but he's happier. Times he see's a dog coming or going by or jogger off in distance, he looks thinks about it makes some talkative noises and its no sweat, and sometimes he's hit a stacked trigger day.. thank you
Yes i would like to know more! i have a wonderful Mini Schnauzer. Only two behaviours drive me crazy. # 1 which has been created through trauma as a young dog. When a cycle is coming close she goes into panic mode. I am always trying to mediate her response. If the cyclist stays 3 feet out, she gets through the event with no problem. Not the case when her sight line indicates it is coming straight at her. #2. seeing another dog brings on her desire to call out for socialization.
This was really interesting. I'd love to learn more. Gonna watch my Blu to learn how he regulates.
Thanks a lot, like everything I read or watch from you, it’s ALWAYS helpful and giving me new ideas !
I would be very interested in 2 things: a) if you could share how you’re working with Belief and her emotional state when she sees people and loses her mind (or do you already have made a podcast about the subject?)
b) some advices for dogs that self-regulates with licking and scratching etc. (mine does it, especially in the morning, when he asks to go out -by ringing his bell- and then has to wait a bit until I’m ready to go for a walk). He’s almost 10 and this is a behavior he started one year ago, I would say.
Yes, please more on this subject. I have a cattle dog mix, we live on a ranch with my horses. He cannot contain his excitement around the horses (until we can head out on a ride). He will bark excessively and is now starting to snap his jaws when barking. He is kept in a kennel (which he happily goes into when we are at the barn) but he shakes with desire to get out and go for a ride with the horses. When we leave the barn and horses, he self regulates by running thru the fields, barking at birds in the sky. I know much of this is genetics but he is my dog and I need to work with the horses too and we need to figure out how he can relax until he is asked to go on a ride with us, or until I am done at the barn. If I leave him elsewhere on the ranch he barks excessively.
Susan, I would love to know more, I think we're stuck in co-regulation with a dog who chews. Thank you for making me aware of this, so helpful.
I can relate w Belief’s excitement behaviors! Would love to learn more about how you’re helping Belief. Thanks!❤
I would absolutely love a more in depth episode 🙋♀️
Yes I would love to hear more on this topic.
PLEAAAASE I need more of this. My nearly 2 year old husky boy has big sensory overload issues, and I really need some ideas to move on from co-regulating to self regulation. He does well with relaxation techniques once he has zoomed out his frustration ( which isn’t always ideal if we are out on a walk when he triggers, as I can’t always let him off leash safely to do that) so I know that is the key to maybe helping him self regulate, without the zoom! He does a version of this often by lying down, but it’s not the full trip, because he is actually fixating on distant movement, ( always worse in wide open spaces) which is just another trigger, right? This is the hardest behaviour I’ve ever had to deal with in any of my dogs. I just want him to be able to have a nice, relaxing walk, and not feel so stressed. P.s as you say - always worse when he’s tired. Poor boy
Thank you Susan! Very interesting and much needed! I would ABSOLUTELY LOVE to learn more about how to help my pup self-regulate. She is a GSD/Lab and we have been working on reactivity as well as her obsessive behavior. It's one of the biggest issues I've had with her, trying to help her learn to self-regulate. She just gets wired and runs, barks, obsesses with her ball, etc. Thanks again and I look forward to hearing more on this topic!
Thank you @donnarunnestrand7228 , you are so welcome! We now have the videos on dysregulation in a playlist - ua-cam.com/play/PLphRRSxcMHy0ZnXC_lczh942HhB0Vdo5v.html
Wow did that hit home! I want to share this with so many people, not just dog owners! Amazing insight!
Thanks for sharing, Christine! 💕
Great episode! I recognize many of these behaviors. It would be awesome to do a follow up. I have a 10 yo Beardie girl who's recently had her world rocked by becoming an only child. We lost our senior Beardie 8 weeks ago and Lily is lost without another dog. She's never been alone and we're all on a journey together to discover who she is. She's always been a sensitive-thinker type that acquired storm phobia after a bad hailstorm years ago and that has morphed into separation anxiety (hello trigger stacking!). I would love to know more ways to help her emotionally. She's also a suckler, but will chill in an open crate in my office.
I struggle with an 11 month old male who struggles with self regulation! As a puppy he did as well and seemed to work past it for the most part (over excited when one of us comes home) but now that he’s in adolescence it has returned worse than before.
I would greatly appreciate learning more on how to help him get through this.
We are in Recallers and the games have helped a lot. But I’ve had trouble transferring the value to me so when he gets over aroused he totally tunes me out…😢
I would like more about al kinds of selfregulating.
One of my dog mounts his furry toys and blanckets when things are not going as he is used f.e. visitors, moving funiture.
My other dog does excsesdive licking furniture and also people. Thanks for the tip of a lickymat. I will try that
Thanks so much for this! I've been looking for answers for situations that cause stress for my 18-month-old dog. Although Recallers and Home School The Dog have really helped training, I've known that I was dealing with stress and, although I've tried many things - counter-conditioning, alternate behaviors - I haven't had much success. This is very helpful.
This was so interesting and eye opening, thank you. 😊
Would like to hear more about interventions for disregulation
Another great podcast & definitely on my shortlist of favourites. I love how Susan combines the science with lots of relatable examples. Dash (my wee Cocker) and I are home-schoolers and our training is coming along quite nicely but there are certainly a couple of areas where we need to work harder. One of those is greeting visitors. So when I heard Susan talk about how Belief reacts with visitors I could relate immediately because it's Dash all over (minus the incontinence thankfully!) And it doesn't matter who the visitor is or how often she sees them. We have tried silence and stillness. We have tried using hotzone. We have tried managing the greetings outdoors where there is lots more space for 'joy' but nothing really diminishes the excitement so I would dearly love to know more about the strategies Susan is using.
hi Susan thank you for your amazing podcast!!!my 14years old dachshund used to lick her paw after meal....I provide her a lick mat and it works perfectly
Oo yes deinitely want to know more! How to move to co-regulation and then self-regulation! Particularly for a pip whos signs of stress are a bit less typical and/or more subtle!
My pups signs of dis-regulation seem to be having to sniff every little nook and cranny, not zoomies but having a hard time sitting still! She seems to need to constantly move around, and sniff or watch every little thing in the room.
Also, some paw-licking, scratching, and "flea biting" that I'm not sure if it's due to an unknown allergy or to help her self-soothe
My dog scratches his bed, the floor, the carpet, like he's trying to dig a hole in it. Re. licking the floor after eating, my dog often does that. I believe that it's Victoria Stillwell who said it's a sign of heartburn.
Would love to learn more! My puppy shreds and digs on his bed- he won’t relax or be able to fall asleep on his bed. Only when I remove it is he able to relax, but he loves other dogs beds 😂
Oh so many things! Great episode.
Regulating body heat and excitement by laying in a stock tank after working!
Regulating excitement and frustration by holding a toy or stick in their mouth while watching other dogs work or play.
I helped them learn to regulate their excitement and reactions to other dogs by laying or sitting down to watch work or play.
I would like to learn more about this topic of emotional regulation. After listening to this podcast and reflecting I am trying to identify where we may be co-regulating and would love more ideas on how to progress to self regulating.
I would love more info on how to go from co-regulation to self soothing! My GSP loves digging in the bed when it’s time to go to sleep. It doesn’t matter how much exercise she’s gotten that day, it happens every single night. She also will do full 180 spins while we’re on leash walks, not sure what that’s about.
Susan, this podcast was awesome. Now I understand some of my dog's behaviors better. She has Addison's disease (adrenal failure) for which she receives appropriate medication. She is a very sensitive dog. And, she has two behaviors that drive me nuts. One is digging, digging up her bedding...and my mother's hand hooked, original design rug (management strategy: I pick it up). She also rubs on the furniture fabric when feeling "emotional." Would love more on this topic, thank you. 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪
Thank you for all your talks on emotional regulation, I would love to have more information about going from co-regulating to self regulating. Some of the dysregulation I am seeing is nipping and jumping when I come home or when guests come to my. I have a 14 month old mixed dog with both terrier/herding breeds with other breeds, but I think she gets so excited that she can't not bite/nip and jump. It is an inhibited bite and I have taught her to pick a toy that she carries in her mouth so she does not bite me or others, but she puts the toy in my face or somewhere on the body and still jumps. If I turn my back to the jumping, she goes to the nipping and running between my legs. I know she is just excited, but I am a little lost on what to do next. Getting a toy works, but it feels a little more like in the co-regulating category rather than in self-regulating, but maybe I am wrong. Thanks for all you do and encouraging positive relationships with our furry friends.
Hi @user-od7tf6uv5s, we have a playlist for greetings that will really help - ua-cam.com/play/PLphRRSxcMHy3KQXSC-3IzEdBgBetrl2YP.html
I would love to hear about teaching self regulation! Please do an episode on this!
Yes more please!
Yes I would love more info on self regulation
My guy whines gets frantic at brekkies and dinner , total panic like he won’t be fed
He was hungry as a young pup 4-8 wks what I find is if he can get a bit of food while I am making their meal he gets calmer if he can be petted that helps him also
He is now almost 7 yr
Absolutely love to know more
This is information that is very welcome. I have a 13 year old terrier/dachshund mix rescue, Fritz, who mops the floor with his tongue every day. Mostly he likes surfaces like hard floors or leather furniture, but he will also lick pillows, dog beds, toys or himself if nothing else is available. I've wondered if its boredom or anxiety, or even a deficiency of some kind. Your explanation of self regulation feels closer to the truth and I would certainly like to learn more. Thanks for this!❤
Yes I would like to hear more about this topic. I have a dog that licks her paws. Thought it might be allergies but medication and cleaning paws have not resolved the problem. Also excessive barking can happen when seeing people and dogs.
Would love to know more! Thanks so much for all you do for us to help our dogs❤🐾
💕💕💕
Me! I would like more on this topic! A student in many of your classes, and a small town trainer. My two dogs don’t have any issues but I found your experiences fascinating, and would LOVE to expand my toolbox for these future challenge’s from THE trainer of trainers
Thank you! We're grateful to have you in this awesome community❤️
My deaf dog does a big play bow stretch when he is unsure of what is next, like when I am putting on my shoes or coat. My younger, more nervous dog barks. I guess I am currently co regulating by having her run to her bed for a treat when she is unsure of things.I would love to hear more about how you transitioned to self regulating with your dog
I’d love to learn more as I have new puppy arriving in a couple of months !
This couldn't have come at a better time. I have a rescue that appears to have PTSD.
She keeps getting in fights with my mastiff rotti mix who never loses a fight and is very reactive in certain situations.
I need to reassure them both and get them both to stay calm and not feel threatened by each other. My other 6 dogs are fine. It's just these two that have suddenly developed this problem. They used to play nicely together and the mastiff/rotti always used to protect the rescue.
What on earth happened?????
Sigh. 😔
I would definitely be interested in getting more tips on how to move from dysregulation to coregulation to self regulation.
this is so timely... My 2 1/2 year old BC boy is also a suckler
this being said, he has incredible ability to self regulate in most other situations: good heelwork, stays, startline waits (even from young), focus and works through distractions, IYC, etc. Its just this one issue of greeting key favourite people that is completely out of control
I understand it I am having a lot of difficulty changing it
Great podcast! I have a dog that gets over-the-top excited when anyone comes to visit. I have tried getting her to go to her bed or to her crate and wait until she stops barking before I give her permission to say hello but it only works if I co-regulate. the visitor has to sit down and then when I give permission my pup runs over to them and she gets lots of loves. She barks like crazy with excitement as she runs to the visitor. She also gets too excited during any transition, ie, we are sitting in the living room and then get up to go to the kitchen etc. Any ideas for help will be greatly appreciated.
I would love to know about your new visitors protocol for Belief. I have watched the Barkentine Chronicles, but my dogs are much too excited to have made that practical so far. Thanks!
Mine is a common one: Pupster (now one year old) will be wrestling with a puppy pal or seeing someone down the road and he will start to bark, bark, bark as he gets wound up. We’re intervening with “Hush” and “No”, but that’s so negative - it’s saying “quit being wound up” as if that’s a choice on the Cola Machine of Life. His isn’t an alarm bark - more of a “YAHOO!” Bark, bark bark.
How do we anticipate, defer, turn down this behavior? It’s not every time he plays or goes for a walk. Being hungry does seem to ramp up the barking, but we need some more tools for when there’s a full stomach and still so much enthusiastic barking.
The idea of using lick mat to replace behavior of licking the furniture. Brilliant! On the other hand my other dog chews the mat it self.
Yes, I would like to learn more. My BC 4yrs old will suckle on a fluffy toy in the evening rather than pester for games and 'work to do'. Leaves the room and self isolates. Also dysregulates... lots of barking throughout the day at front door any noise and she loses it! Stops if I am quickly present and ask her to do something different, in compatible. These days she can nearly always distract herself from her 'stranger danger', if people enter the property by finding a toy to present to them. In the past I've usually suggested she finds something. She will more often these days 'hop it up' and take herself off. Thanks Susan... Great podcast again. 👏
Would absolutely love to learn more.
yes- we have a "wound up" dysregulation behavior which seems to be connected to separation anxiety of sorts. Whenever I leave, even to just get the mail. Our rescue dog(who was clearly over socialized we realized after watching some tater salad videos) .. she turns into Tigger. Bouncing, jumping, pouncing and running. No treat will help. We've tried IYC like we did with the UPS guy. that worked for UPS but not for whenever I come and go. And the secondary struggle is she "stirs the pot" with her dysregulation behavior and winds up all the other dogs.
My dog gets so excited when people come to our home she can’t settle. She licks anyones exposed skin! Especially the grandkids!
Reading my mind again, Susan 😊This is what I was just trying to explain to my husband concerning our new puppy, George. Even though I made similar point ie, baby/toddler expectations, you explained it so much better while expanding deregulation points of how we as adults express. Thanking you ahead of time for helping us adults become more aware of our own behaviors and hopefully more understanding of our animals needs and behaviors. ❤(Hope this makes sense.)
More please!
My 7 yr old aussie stretches a lot. I think that is him self-regulating.
Keen to learn more😊
This was great explanation of regulating dogs behavior would love to learn more about topic. My dog is high steam working dog who I keep busy with lots of work. She is amazing, and so loyal and close to me. When my husband goes to talk with me my dog gets extremely hyper & wants the attention from him. He does give her plenty of attention through out the day but for that moment she gets uncontrollable and settles when I grab her collar! What’s up with this behavior. I’ve tried putting her in the kennel while we talk until she settles, if I hold her collar she sits quietly until we are done talking.
Oh my goodness, Susan. Did you post this today just for us? Thank you! Learning about emotional regulation and dysregulation is so important, and you’re giving us the keys to unlocking the language of our pets to help bring ease and comfort in our lives together. You and y’all rock!! So well timed. ❤
I would sure like more information. I have a 6 year old Aussie who I think is just about perfect. I likes to make his bed. I just thought it was a quirk. He scratches at his bedding and throw rugs around the house. I live alone in an old trailer house, so I just let him. He has right to be comfortable. But if there is something that I can do to help him be more comfortable in his own skin, I would sure like to know more. Thank you, Susan 💕
Yes to more on the topic of co-regulation and building towards selfregulation! ❤
My dog self soothes by digging in the home as well as outside (we managed indoors to refer him to his bench where he can dig), he eats/grabs bunches of grass, he liks the floor and fabric as well and he sniffs outside after a tense meeting with another dog. The first two are almost compulsive according to the behavioural doct. He HAS to dig as soon as he sees sand and with more tension he digs in other surfaces as well and the grass eating, he gets very focussed on. I have trouble navigating those two on walks.
Thanks again for an amazing video!
Count me in for wanting to know more. And cookies for you Susan and your team you are brilliant educators and there is no reason for anyone to not start to understand dogs or themselves through all of your generosity and the resources you have for us.
Yes! Dysregulation inthe house with Golden Red Magic Toby - shreds his stuffies,licks his legs,itches.also seeing timid behavior, flight if anything is dropped or tipped over. He’s a high emotion red head, --holding a toy in his mouth for meet n greeting people when doing therapy dog work. What a gem this UA-cam! Can’t wait to watch the whole series.
Hi Alison, and thank you for your kind comment! We love that these podcasts are helping you and your dog ❤️
We recently adopted a 10 month ( now 12 month) Maltese Shih Poodle mix ZiggyThe owners gave him up for adoption as he was too hyper for their three year old. If the three year old ran away to avoid Ziggy jumping up ,pawing and mouthing, Ziggy would think it was a game and became more hyper. Ziggy has settled down since he has been in our place but still gets hyper even after long walk and play and starts jumping up on my husband and barking demanding he plays. Distracted for short while, but any attention and it is full on. I take him away and we lie peacefully on the bed after redirecting him to chew on a toy. However soon as he sees my husband he is back baking jumping. My husband very active and does do way more with him. I wonder if he sees him as another dog to play with. Ziggy lived with a pug and during the day the two of them only had each other as company. Ziggy has the same reaction with other dogs and when they will not play can start to attack. At present we have him on lead with other dogs and soon as he ramps up we take him away. We praise any calm behaviour with the other dogs. Not use if this behaviour is exacerbated by new home and owners. Otherwise he is a loving friendly little dog. Also he is our first dog that runs away from putting on his harness, collar, lead etc.
Thank you
In the car, when I reach my destination and put the car in park, my dog goes nuts, barking, loudly! until I open the door to let him out. I've tried everything to correct the behaviour and eventually gave up. He won't even accept a treat when he's in that state. It does look like intense anxiety, and he does seem a bit anxious in the car, like he can't relax, yet he loves it when I tell him we're going in the car, and he jumps in no problem. I had a two-hour drive home after picking him up from the breeder and he cried all the way home. The crying and whining and eventually, barking, used to be a constant in the car. Now it's only when I reach my destination, unless home is the destination. He doesn't react to coming home. So there was progress in the last three years.
Hi @danib9845, thank you for tuning in! We have a video on the topic of dogs barking in cars to help - ua-cam.com/video/XVnjKYoz5WA/v-deo.html
EXCELLENT Podcast!
Much appreciated! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for these helpful tips !
I will begin journaling behaviour and links to the “thing before the thing”.
I have a 2 year old bloodhound how goes redline when someone comes to the door…. Especially children !!
He is completely unmanageable and I cannot even get him into his kennel.
He is so afraid.
I have watched your video about how you took one of your dogs to a park/pathway and worked on distance conditioning.
Will this work for us too in the house and outside ?
My border Collie suckles his fleece blanket at night, lays in the tile shower to be alone, and we still are experiencing digging holes, and holes and holes, in the field along with barking and digging by the front fence when we are done playing in the field ( this one is a bit of an issue!).
I’d LOVE more self regulation tips! My almost 10 month puppy has always exuberantly “made her bed” when it’s time to settle down at night. Not circling and patting at her bed “or the couch” but growling, 2 paw digging, couch cushions flinging. I’ve know this habit is just a sort of wind down for her but I really can’t come up with an alternative that would scratch the same itch for her. She does love digging and we have implemented “tango’s sand box” which is the hole she gets to keep in the back yard. I’m just not sure how to stop the inside digging.
My 5 1/2 year old MAS sucks / mouths our hands or forearms, always has, and it seems to be when she's very soft and loving. Is so funny, a bit unwanted at times or by some people, but its such a different way of self expression so we've allowed it as her own special form of showing love
YES I would like to learn more!
This is sooooo timely! Zeke loves loves loves to SNIFF… he will sniff almost all day! He would rather sniff or chew than retrieve… this is a lab, not a hound! He will sniff Every armpit, every butt, every crotch, almost every baseboard, Every inch of the yard, every piece of air! He will try to sniff during the entire walk. I play scent games with him and give him snuggle mats, treat ball, but I think I understand now that this might be dysregulation. He has just begun this obsessive sniffing within the last month. He’s now 8 months. Something else to note: As a wee puppy, he always noticed every little change. (Oh No! The hose was moved! Oh no! I have to check it out! ) He was properly socialized from birth and had puppy culture and neurological stimulation with the litter. However, It’s interesting that you mentioned sleep. He is back to getting more sleep. He slept far more when he was younger. My husband thought he shouldn’t be sleeping so much as he got older. But I’m going by the dog in front of me and NOT age or what other dogs are doing at his age.
He wakes up more content with more sleep and I noticed he is eager to train and ready to concentrate on learning the games. He’s much more calm, and now I know why! Lol I also noticed that If his schedule is off and he doesn’t get his nap in…(for example, out playing, travelling or out and about in the car), then watch out! Mr Kissy face turns into Mr Bitey Face! ❤
This had been so helpful Susan. I have learned something new today… that it could be him, or it could be other factors making it worse causing Zeke to be incapable of self regulating.
Thank You 😊
I honestly think this could be a course!
My puppy Fuji is a 7 month old Dachshund x Australian Shepherd who lives with our housemate and his dog Thor who is a 2 year old British Bulldog. Recently Fuji has become more possessive of his toys, environment and food and has been lashing out at Thor more regularly. Thor has a very gentle manner but does invade Fujis space getting in his face all the time which is in his nature to do so as his nose is at the same level as his eyes and Fuji growls and eventually bites him which is very upsetting for all pet owners in our house. I’ve given Fuji so many toys, a lovely dog bed or four which he always eventually chews through and rips out the stuffing, I’ve given him lick mats but he eventually chews them apart and is always on edge when we take him for walks. My puppy is not desexed so I wonder if this has a lot to do with his behaviour? I would love any assistance anyone could kindly give me as I am at a massive loss. I’ve also contacted dog trainers but they never seem to follow up with me.
Trish, in Alexandra Horowitz’s book, Inside Of A Dog, she talks about the way dogs go for a walk and sniff all the things and then come home and have a nap. That’s apparently because a dog takes in so many different scents in a minute that they aren’t processing them properly in the moment, but instead they’re kind of taking them in ready to be processed later. Then they go home and it’s when they have a nap that they’re filing all the smells away in some kind of huge sniffer database dogs have, (which incidentally holds a crapload of smells but which they can also retain and retrieve for a stupidly long time). So if your dog is sniffing all the things all the time (this was the point to this really long reply to your comment), it might be part of the reason he is also sleeping more. It might not be too, and @dogsthat might like to weigh in here with their thoughts, but I thought I’d share this bit of info because I found it interesting. The book is brilliant and really worth a read.
Thank you for another great episode on another important topic! I'd love to hear more about helping/teaching dogs to regulate when guests arrive. My 18 month old rescue dog struggles with the arrival of new people, but rather than over the top excitement like the clip of Belief, she barks, gets piloerected, and alternates between approaching to sniff and springing away from the arriving guest. After about two minutes she settles down, but we've found that once she has had that experience, she tends to be more on edge for the rest of the day. She's been with us for about 8 months now and has made amazing progress on so many fronts (thanks to HSTD and now Recallers!) but we continue to struggle with coming up with a solid strategy and plan for this challenge.
My dog disregulates when I'm near, but not engaged with him. It gets worse if I'm doing better training, 2-3 x 5 minute sessions daily on top of what I call bare minimum activity 1-2 mile walking daily. It's like he can't tolerate that I don't play games with him 24-7. If I'm gone at work, no problems, but if I'm in the house, or worse yet go out in the backyard without him he loses it, whining progressing to barking, jumping...a total melt down. Annoyingly it gets better if I just stop training sessions, but then we make no progress in learning desired behaviors. He's set up a perfect storm where I'm reinforced by calmer behaviors if I simply ignore him more and just stick to bare minimum physical exercise. He likes to shred cardboard and paper to self sooth. He also likes to nest (my couch has scars), but he shreds dog beds. I'm honestly contemplating medicating him because we all feel crazy.
This is absolutely perfect timing in so many ways!! I have two male border collie brothers who are now 16 months old. Dexter is very relaxed but a bit of a bully with his brother Astro.
Astro is very skittish, has some behavioural issues we are working on. Long story short, he recently has shown that he is very scared of his brother Dexter late at night and avoids him at all costs? Dexter is good at reading Astro for the most part but it breaks my heart that this is happening.
I would like to learn more about how to move from coregulation to self regulation
Please ! It would be great to know more on this topic. My Pumpkin vocalizes a lot when she is by herself in her expen and I am doing other things even in the same room.
My 1 year old Boston terrier suckles and kneads. I think it’s the cutest thing. In the morning while I’m having my coffee she’ll be on my lap with a stuffy toy suckling and kneading. And at night as we’re winding down for the day she’ll do it and go to sleep.
I would LOVE to learn how to help my 6 year old Cavalier learn to self sooth. She has always been an anxious dog and over the last year has become increasingly more and more light obsessed. I would to help her self sooth instead of looking for light that’s not even there. 🙁