We love our dogs like family, so when they start showing signs of anxiety, aggression, or depression, it’s natural to worry and wonder how to help. While treats and belly rubs go a long way, some behavioral issues run deeper and may need more than just affection. That’s where animal therapy comes in. Once reserved for humans, therapy is now an increasingly common and effective option for pets, too. But what does it actually involve? And how do you know if your dog really needs it?
In this guide, we’ll explore the world of animal therapy, signs your pup might benefit from professional help, and what to expect if you take that next step.
Dog Therapy: Does it exist?
Much has been discussed about the healing power of animals to treat the battered human soul. Less has been written about the benefits of psychological therapy for dogs. Believe it or not, dog therapy does exist and is a great tool for pet owners concerned about their pets’ psychological state.
When speaking about pet psychology, the correct term translates to “pet behavior counseling”. Thus, dog therapists are described as pet behavior specialists. These pet health practitioners are trained and certified in tackling the various negative behaviors that could be detrimental to your dog’s general well-being.
Learn About Pet Behavior Counselors
Pet behavior counselors are trained to evaluate and modify animal behavioral issues, such as aggression, anxiety, or compulsive habits. They use science-based techniques and train pet owners on how to address their pets’ emotional and environmental triggers.
They strive to improve the pet’s well-being by strengthening the human-animal bond through positive behavior strategies, such as positive reinforcement. They use methods aimed at modifying a pet’s behavior and helping them adapt to their environment.
Does my dog need therapy?
Every behavior issue your dog may have must be discussed with a veterinarian first. Many issues that we may call psychological are likely to have an underlying health condition at their root. So, it’s crucial to consult every behavior with your primary care vet to rule out important health conditions such as pain, neurological disorders, hormonal imbalances, and infections. Once that is ruled out, you can ask your vet to recommend a reputable pet behavior counselor.
Behaviors that can be treated with a pet behavior counselor:
- Aggression
- Depression
- Excessive fear
- Separation Anxiety
- Compulsive behaviors, such as digging and chewing
- Phobias
- Difficulties with socialization
Going to a Pet Behavioral Counselor
Once you’ve ruled out underlying medical conditions through your vet and been directed to a reputable pet behavioral counselor, you will take your pet to an initial evaluation consultation. This initial session will be very similar to a traditional talk therapy session, where you will discuss your dog’s past and present behaviors. In this initial evaluation, the pet behavioral counselor will gather critical information to apply focused methodologies to treat the undesired behaviors.
After this initial conversation, they will observe your dog and perform certain tests to evaluate your dog’s response. They will ask you probing questions to determine what may cause the behavior and what lies behind the triggers.
Positive reinforcement and counter-conditioning
Once your pet has been thoroughly evaluated, with enough historical information provided by you, the pet behavioral counselor will design a custom plan to address the undesired behaviors and hopefully teach your pet new behaviors. You will be instructed on behavior response, and perhaps on cues for simple training that you could do to address the behavior.
Alternatively, the pet behavior counselor may also apply more complex methodologies, such as counter-conditioning. This method involves exposing the dog to a trigger and gradually applying positive reinforcement. For example, a dog who is aggressive towards other dogs or strangers will be exposed to their triggers (other dogs or people) and be rewarded through positive reinforcement when they are calm.
Psychiatric Treatment for Dogs
In some very specific instances, a Pet Behavior counselor may determine that the use of psychiatric treatment could be beneficial. This instance should be treated with extreme scrutiny on behalf of the practitioner and taken with supreme care on behalf of the pet owner. Some psychiatric drugs, such as Trazodone and Neurontin, have been used to treat anxiety in pets, with positive results.
However, make sure this option is thoroughly discussed with your primary care vet. Never treat your pet with psychiatric drugs without professional supervision.
The Science Behind Dog Therapy
Behind the science of dog behaviors lies a complex web of factors involving genetics, learning, environment, and physiology. Deeply understanding these factors takes years of study and personal experience. Pet behavior specialists invest a large part of their careers in understanding the ins and outs of pet psychology and the mysteries of the mammal brain.
How dogs process emotions, intelligence & memories
A dog’s intelligence and memory are stored in their frontal and temporal lobes, while their emotions are found in their limbic system. Dogs also have a privileged scent organ, which plays a role in memory storage, applying sensory systems of association that process memories.
These tools are all used by pet behavioral scientists to study and treat pet behavior, in search of new paths to solve inappropriate or detrimental behaviors and improve pet wellbeing and adaptability.
The Pavlov experiment and conditioning
In the late 1890s, a Russian psychologist famous for his experiments on dogs discovered a concept known as classical conditioning. The experiment is known as “the Pavlov experiment” and involves the study of a dog’s reaction to a stimulus. A dog would be exposed to neutral stimuli (in this case, a bell that would ring), and then exposed to memory-infused stimuli (in this case, food).
The response in the form of salivation was analyzed, determining that dogs would associate the bell with the food, producing the behavior of increased salivation. Thus, a dog was conditioned to “salivate” through the stimulus of the bell. Much of the pet behavior and training methodologies used today are based on this principle.
Alternative Types of Dog Therapy
Many minor behavior issues can be treated through alternative means of therapy. These holistic approaches can also be great additions to traditional therapy, even medical therapy (but should never be a replacement for specialized and focused care). These include practices such as Dog Chiropractic therapy, which applies massages and petting to soothe your dog.
Alternatively, music therapy can significantly benefit pets with anxiety, with numerous playlists on YouTube specifically designed to calm them. Even art therapy has garnered significant attention, with reported benefits for treating complex trauma in rescued pets.
Furthermore, all practices that involve spending quality time with your pet will go a long way in improving their general well-being. Doga (yoga with your dog) is another excellent way to spend quality time with your pup and, in the meantime, find a healthy practice for both of you.
The Human-Dog Bond
Our friendship with dogs runs deep—they have journeyed from the wild wolf pack into the warmth of our cuddles. As our officially recognized Best Friends, dogs deserve to feel loved and secure by our sides, even amid the stresses of modern life. Wise as they are, they’re still vulnerable to external conditions and can display highly complex personality traits.
When we offer them a forever home and prioritize their happiness, that love often reflects on us—we begin to treat ourselves with the same care we give our loyal companions. In this way, our dogs become our teachers, guiding us as we guide them, helping us both find healthier states of mind.