If dogs could write letters to Santa Paws, they would definitely ask for tasty treats and, maybe, a dose of calmness. The upcoming holiday season coupled with this ongoing pandemic may trig- ger anxiety, stress and fear in some once-mellow dogs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some pets who adjust and adapt, but there are others who are desperately trying to find ways to cope,\u201d says Dr. Lisa Radosta, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who operates the Florida Veterinary Behavior Service in West Palm Beach, Florida. \u201cStress will get worse in these pets if we ignore it.\u201d<\/p>\n
By definition, stress is the general term used to describe any physical, mental or emotional toll on a dog. Fear is a normal response to a real or perceived threat, and anxiety is the anticipation of a response.<\/p>\n
Stress, fear and anxiety can trigger medical conditions in some dogs, by weakening the immune system and causing gastrointestinal upset.<\/p>\n
Unaddressed, some rattled dogs may:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Or do all of the above and more.<\/p>\n Of course, there are traditional dog treats, made even more fun when it\u2019s a special seasonal treat. To add other items to the stocking that aren\u2019t so traditional but really show you care, Santa Paws (aka Dogster<\/em>) delivers a rundown of some healthy stocking stuffers to relieve holiday or just regular stress in your dog:<\/p>\n These toys can tap your dog\u2019s inner hunter. Encourage and praise your dog for ripping out the stuffing and extracting that coveted prize \u2014 the squeaker.<\/p>\n \u201cLet your dog take out the squeaker \u2014 it is great fun for your dog,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cKeep a supply of these toys and bring out new ones and toss away the destroyed ones. Your dog needs a healthy outlet like this. Otherwise, he will dig in your backyard, bark out the window and destroy your furniture.\u201d<\/p>\n Holiday Miniz 3-Pack Naughty and Nice Bones<\/strong> $9.99. zippypaws.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Holiday Brainey-Reindeer<\/strong> $8.99. zippypaws.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Available in sprays, plug-ins, collars and even in travel sizes, products like Adaptil contain synthetic calming pheromones specifically for dogs.<\/p>\n \u201cPheromones affect the dog\u2019s brain in a different way than other smells,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cThey are more connected to the emotional sections of the brain. People can\u2019t detect the smell of these products, but their dogs definitely can.\u201d<\/p>\n One diffuser covers 600 to 700 square feet, so don\u2019t go overboard on the number in your home. Help calm your dog by also spraying inside your car and his crate during road trips or drives to the veterinary clinic.<\/p>\n If your dog loves opening wrapped gifts, don\u2019t take it personally if he doesn\u2019t go gaga over this stocking stuffer.<\/p>\n \u201cMy dog, Maverick, doesn\u2019t get excited when he opens this gift,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cIt\u2019s like giving your kid vitamins for Christmas.<\/p>\n These stocking stuffers deliver hug-ability and comfort for those dogs who like sitting on or resting against a soft, plush toy that may look like a doggie pal.<\/p>\n These food puzzles are the canine equivalent of you doing a crossword puzzle. They require your dog to focus on the food mission, distracting them from perceived stressful situations.<\/p>\n \u201cFood is fun for a lot of dogs,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cLicki mats and snuffle mats can definitely encourage them to use their noses to hunt and forage for food. They keep dogs mentally entertained.\u201d<\/p>\n Try rotating each type so your dog doesn\u2019t get too ho-hum about the same food mat or puzzle.<\/p>\n Music with predictable tempos like classical genre can be calming sounds to an anxious dog. Playing music or white noise devices may help block out outside aggravating noises to your dog, such as delivery trucks or leashed dogs walking by in front of your house.<\/p>\n Thundershirts and other clothing brands were created to help reduce feelings of separation anxiety in some dogs.<\/p>\n \u201cThe concept is that pressure reduces stresses as it does in babies who are swaddled,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cJust make sure that you apply these pet shirts per the directions, so you put it on correctly.<\/p>\n Figure out your dog\u2019s napping and snuggling styles before shopping. \u201cMy dog has a little arthritis in his elbows, so I bought an orthopedic bed for him in colors that match my home\u2019s interior \u2014 gray and blue,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cI paid attention to how he sleeps \u2014 flat on his side spread out \u2014 so I could buy a bed that was long enough to match how he sleeps.\u201d<\/p>\n New research is showing that the benefits of catnip for cats can also help some dogs calm down. Geralynn Cada-Ragan, a certified professional dog trainer, is part of the team at Meowijuana that recently added a lineup of items for dogs called Doggijuana that contain dogginip.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you put dogginip in a dog\u2019s food, mix it with peanut butter on a licki mat or in a toy, you up the attraction factor and make these items more appealing to a dog,\u201d she says. \u201cThis is another way to distract a dog and help him get that extra amount of calm.\u201d<\/p>\n Dogginip<\/strong> $9.99. doggijuana.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The popularity of people using cannabidiol (CBD) products to ease anxiety, pain and other issues is sparking use on their pets. CBD items come in treats, soft chews, sprays, tinctures and capsules for dogs, but these products are not regulated and do vary in quality.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do not know what dose is right for dogs for CBD, and we certainly do not know how safe CBD is,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cThere may be promising research on the use of CBD for epilepsy and arthritis, but its use has not been proven yet for behavior issues.\u201d<\/p>\n Zylkene is an over-the-counter food supplement that contains a calming natural milk protein. It is most effective when given before a stress-inducing event, like the arrival of holiday houseguests, because it does not cause drowsiness.<\/p>\n Paw CBD Peanut Butter for Dogs<\/strong> $69.99\/600mg strength. cbdmd.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Suzie\u2019s CBD Soft Chews<\/strong> $24.95. suziespettreats.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a dandy gift idea you can\u2019t wrap and stuff in a stocking \u2014 treat your dog to a workout every day.<\/p>\n \u201cDogs need a balance of physical and mental exercise,\u201d Geralynn says. \u201cTake your dog for a brisk walk or a run to help them get their energy out. Or, if the weather is bad, train them by having them go up and down the stairs or back and forth on a long hallway. A tired dog is a good dog.\u201d<\/p>\n Focus on building your dog\u2019s can-do confidence and unleash positive feedback when he masters a new trick or pops into a sit without hesitation.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep in mind that our dogs are experts at smelling our body chemistry,\u201d Geralynn adds. \u201cYour level of stress can make your dog more stressed.\u201d<\/p>\n Houseguests can also trigger unwanted emotions in some dogs. Days or weeks before guests arrive, train your dog to head for a sanctuary space, a safe, private spot. It can be a spare bedroom, walk-in closet, laundry room or other space away from the hustle and bustle.<\/p>\n \u201cYour dog needs and deserves a place to go that feels safe and where he will not be bothered by visitors,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cCondition your dog now that this is his safe, calm place by tossing in treats and putting his favorite toys in that space.\u201d<\/p>\n Based on his response, strive to increase the time he spends inside this closed space.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are giving your dog an agreement that this is a sanctuary that he can go to and will not be bothered by visitors,\u201d she says. \u201cBe patient and supportive, because one of the pillars of preventive behavioral medicine is independence training.\u201d<\/p>\n You and your dog need and deserve a calming holiday season \u2014 one that is full of jolly and no folly.<\/p>\n The post Stuff the Stockings with Care<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n The post Stuff the Stockings with Care<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n If dogs could write letters to Santa Paws, they would definitely ask for tasty treats and, maybe, a dose of calmness. The upcoming holiday season coupled with this ongoing pandemic may trig- ger anxiety, stress and fear in some once-mellow dogs.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are some pets who adjust and adapt, but there are others who are desperately trying to find ways to cope,\u201d says Dr. Lisa Radosta, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who operates the Florida Veterinary Behavior Service in West Palm Beach, Florida. \u201cStress will get worse in these pets if we ignore it.\u201d<\/p>\n By definition, stress is the general term used to describe any physical, mental or emotional toll on a dog. Fear is a normal response to a real or perceived threat, and anxiety is the anticipation of a response.<\/p>\n Stress, fear and anxiety can trigger medical conditions in some dogs, by weakening the immune system and causing gastrointestinal upset.<\/p>\n Unaddressed, some rattled dogs may:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Or do all of the above and more.<\/p>\n Of course, there are traditional dog treats, made even more fun when it\u2019s a special seasonal treat. To add other items to the stocking that aren\u2019t so traditional but really show you care, Santa Paws (aka Dogster<\/em>) delivers a rundown of some healthy stocking stuffers to relieve holiday or just regular stress in your dog:<\/p>\n These toys can tap your dog\u2019s inner hunter. Encourage and praise your dog for ripping out the stuffing and extracting that coveted prize \u2014 the squeaker.<\/p>\n \u201cLet your dog take out the squeaker \u2014 it is great fun for your dog,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cKeep a supply of these toys and bring out new ones and toss away the destroyed ones. Your dog needs a healthy outlet like this. Otherwise, he will dig in your backyard, bark out the window and destroy your furniture.\u201d<\/p>\n Holiday Miniz 3-Pack Naughty and Nice Bones<\/strong> $9.99. zippypaws.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Holiday Brainey-Reindeer<\/strong> $8.99. zippypaws.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Available in sprays, plug-ins, collars and even in travel sizes, products like Adaptil contain synthetic calming pheromones specifically for dogs.<\/p>\n \u201cPheromones affect the dog\u2019s brain in a different way than other smells,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cThey are more connected to the emotional sections of the brain. People can\u2019t detect the smell of these products, but their dogs definitely can.\u201d<\/p>\n One diffuser covers 600 to 700 square feet, so don\u2019t go overboard on the number in your home. Help calm your dog by also spraying inside your car and his crate during road trips or drives to the veterinary clinic.<\/p>\n If your dog loves opening wrapped gifts, don\u2019t take it personally if he doesn\u2019t go gaga over this stocking stuffer.<\/p>\n \u201cMy dog, Maverick, doesn\u2019t get excited when he opens this gift,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cIt\u2019s like giving your kid vitamins for Christmas.<\/p>\n These stocking stuffers deliver hug-ability and comfort for those dogs who like sitting on or resting against a soft, plush toy that may look like a doggie pal.<\/p>\n These food puzzles are the canine equivalent of you doing a crossword puzzle. They require your dog to focus on the food mission, distracting them from perceived stressful situations.<\/p>\n \u201cFood is fun for a lot of dogs,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cLicki mats and snuffle mats can definitely encourage them to use their noses to hunt and forage for food. They keep dogs mentally entertained.\u201d<\/p>\n Try rotating each type so your dog doesn\u2019t get too ho-hum about the same food mat or puzzle.<\/p>\n Music with predictable tempos like classical genre can be calming sounds to an anxious dog. Playing music or white noise devices may help block out outside aggravating noises to your dog, such as delivery trucks or leashed dogs walking by in front of your house.<\/p>\n Thundershirts and other clothing brands were created to help reduce feelings of separation anxiety in some dogs.<\/p>\n \u201cThe concept is that pressure reduces stresses as it does in babies who are swaddled,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cJust make sure that you apply these pet shirts per the directions, so you put it on correctly.<\/p>\n Figure out your dog\u2019s napping and snuggling styles before shopping. \u201cMy dog has a little arthritis in his elbows, so I bought an orthopedic bed for him in colors that match my home\u2019s interior \u2014 gray and blue,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cI paid attention to how he sleeps \u2014 flat on his side spread out \u2014 so I could buy a bed that was long enough to match how he sleeps.\u201d<\/p>\n New research is showing that the benefits of catnip for cats can also help some dogs calm down. Geralynn Cada-Ragan, a certified professional dog trainer, is part of the team at Meowijuana that recently added a lineup of items for dogs called Doggijuana that contain dogginip.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you put dogginip in a dog\u2019s food, mix it with peanut butter on a licki mat or in a toy, you up the attraction factor and make these items more appealing to a dog,\u201d she says. \u201cThis is another way to distract a dog and help him get that extra amount of calm.\u201d<\/p>\n Dogginip<\/strong> $9.99. doggijuana.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The popularity of people using cannabidiol (CBD) products to ease anxiety, pain and other issues is sparking use on their pets. CBD items come in treats, soft chews, sprays, tinctures and capsules for dogs, but these products are not regulated and do vary in quality.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do not know what dose is right for dogs for CBD, and we certainly do not know how safe CBD is,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cThere may be promising research on the use of CBD for epilepsy and arthritis, but its use has not been proven yet for behavior issues.\u201d<\/p>\n Zylkene is an over-the-counter food supplement that contains a calming natural milk protein. It is most effective when given before a stress-inducing event, like the arrival of holiday houseguests, because it does not cause drowsiness.<\/p>\n Paw CBD Peanut Butter for Dogs<\/strong> $69.99\/600mg strength. cbdmd.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Suzie\u2019s CBD Soft Chews<\/strong> $24.95. suziespettreats.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a dandy gift idea you can\u2019t wrap and stuff in a stocking \u2014 treat your dog to a workout every day.<\/p>\n \u201cDogs need a balance of physical and mental exercise,\u201d Geralynn says. \u201cTake your dog for a brisk walk or a run to help them get their energy out. Or, if the weather is bad, train them by having them go up and down the stairs or back and forth on a long hallway. A tired dog is a good dog.\u201d<\/p>\n Focus on building your dog\u2019s can-do confidence and unleash positive feedback when he masters a new trick or pops into a sit without hesitation.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep in mind that our dogs are experts at smelling our body chemistry,\u201d Geralynn adds. \u201cYour level of stress can make your dog more stressed.\u201d<\/p>\n Houseguests can also trigger unwanted emotions in some dogs. Days or weeks before guests arrive, train your dog to head for a sanctuary space, a safe, private spot. It can be a spare bedroom, walk-in closet, laundry room or other space away from the hustle and bustle.<\/p>\n \u201cYour dog needs and deserves a place to go that feels safe and where he will not be bothered by visitors,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cCondition your dog now that this is his safe, calm place by tossing in treats and putting his favorite toys in that space.\u201d<\/p>\n Based on his response, strive to increase the time he spends inside this closed space.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are giving your dog an agreement that this is a sanctuary that he can go to and will not be bothered by visitors,\u201d she says. \u201cBe patient and supportive, because one of the pillars of preventive behavioral medicine is independence training.\u201d<\/p>\n You and your dog need and deserve a calming holiday season \u2014 one that is full of jolly and no folly.<\/p>\n The post Stuff the Stockings with Care<\/a> by Arden Moore<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
Stuff those stockings<\/h3>\n
Toys with squeakers<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s36700.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/squeaker-600x356.png\")
Pheromone diffuser<\/h3>\n
Cuddly stuffed toys<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s36700.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/3-600x351.png\")
Snuffle and licki mats<\/h3>\n
Calming music<\/h3>\n
Special clothing designed to calm dogs<\/h3>\n
Comfy dog beds<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s36700.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2-600x439.png\")
Catnip for dogs<\/h3>\n
CBD treats and Zylkene supplements<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s36700.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/4-1-600x398.jpg.optimal.jpg\")
The gifts that keep giving<\/h3>\n
\n
Stuff those stockings<\/h3>\n
Toys with squeakers<\/h3>\n
Pheromone diffuser<\/h3>\n
Cuddly stuffed toys<\/h3>\n
Snuffle and licki mats<\/h3>\n
Calming music<\/h3>\n
Special clothing designed to calm dogs<\/h3>\n
Comfy dog beds<\/h3>\n
Catnip for dogs<\/h3>\n
CBD treats and Zylkene supplements<\/h3>\n
The gifts that keep giving<\/h3>\n