Why are dogs now experiencing the same illnesses, diseases, and issues that humans have? It is disconcerting to me that dogs of all ages and breeds now have reserved for them a shelf in the medicine cabinet.
As dogs age, it is understandable they will experience arthritis, kidney and heart problems, and other accepted aches and pains that go along with getting older. They may need to take something - aspirin, naturopathic treatments, etc. As more and more humans are diagnosed with stress related, anxiety- based illnesses/diseases, it makes sense that our dogs will eventually be affected.
Most of you have heard that what the human feels travels down the leash. Cesar Millan speaks of it so clearly when he talks about dogs as Beings of energy. They feel what we feel and then some. If you are anxious and nervous the dog feels that. If you are overly excited, they feel that. Are we inadvertently giving them more than they can process? While we go to a yoga class, are we forgetting that the dog may be internalizing our negative energy and what we should have done is both gone for a long walk or run?
I believe that humans are responsible for the development of the diseases now being discovered in our dogs. Do they travel down the leash? They do, so to speak. Humans have the ability to shut down to feelings. Our bodies manifest diseases (dis-ease) because of it. We take medications, over the counter and otherwise to help us keep going. If we live in this state of unrest for too long, it affects everything and everyone around us. Why not our dogs?
Think of it from a dog's perspective. Dogs are excellent at being dogs. They lack the ability to overwork, to worry excessively about things they can't change, or to wonder if and when they can retire from a job they hate. Humans, however, can and do all of the above. We are even generous enough to share this stress with our best friend - our dog. Soon, we find that the dog has issues with anxiety, depression, and worse cancer. I'm not saying that dogs aren't predisposed to illness depending on their breed and genetic factors. However, dogs are now experiencing human illnesses and disease like never before.
Statistics also show that being around a furry friend can have a calming affect and even contribute to lowering blood pressure. Dogs aren't in our lives to take on our stress and spend endless hours in the vet's office and on medication. If you are stressed after a hard day, take your dog for a long walk. Remember that you are sharing your feelings with them - good and bad.
Gayle Cousineau
divadogtraining.com/blog divadogtraining.com/blog
Dog Training and Behavior Modification for Dogs and Their Humans
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