Dogs have some incredibly developed senses. They detect odors from 10,000 to 100,000 times better than we humans do. They hear sound that ranges from 40-45,000Hz and can pin point it with their mobile ears (whereas we humans hear sound from 20-23,000Hz with our stationary ears). They see well in dim light and even have a way to taste the air.
Although I have tried to imagine what it must be like for our dogs to live in environments that our human senses may not even register, it was only recently that a shy dog taught me a valuable, “real world” lesson in sense-itivity.
Do You Kiss your Mother With That Mouth?
Hank and Hercules are two of “my” shy shelter dogs. They were being transitioned from one kennel to a new, more spacious run, and I wanted to make sure that they were adjusting to their new routine with as little stress as possible.
As I started my car for the trip to the shelter, I noticed a pack of gum that my husband had left in the cup holder and decided to enjoy a piece during the ten minute drive. I do not typically chew gum, and found that the flavor was a bit strong for me, so I threw the gum away before I got to my destination.
I walked in to Hank greeting me eagerly and Hercules leaping up to get my attention. I was thrilled to see both dogs wiggly, waggy and willing to interact with me. As I settled on the floor so Hercules could stand in my lap for his customary inspection of my face, he leaned in for his licking frenzy, (which is a privilege reserved only for Hercules) but stopped when he got to my mouth. He took a sniff, politely turned his head, then quietly walked away.
It had taken a long time to develop our relationship so that Hercules was uninhibited enough to voluntarily come into my personal space and initiate contact; it is his unique way of connecting with the people he trusts, and I count myself fortunate to be among them. What stopped him in his tracks? My best guess is that the lingering smell of the gum proved to be so overwhelming that he couldn’t continue what had become a cherished ritual for us both. My minty fresh breath may have actually driven Hercules away!
The good news is that when I arrived the next day, Hercules acted as if nothing had changed: he greeted me, climbed into my lap and thoroughly washed my face with no hesitation. Hercules’s behavior illustrates the point that to a shy dog, EVERYTHING, even the smallest change, matters.
5 Sense-able Questions To Ask Yourself When Interacting with Shy and Fearful Dogs
If your dog is struggling with his environment, put yourself in your dog’s paws and ask these sense-able questions:
What does my dog see?
Is there something that appears to be out of place to your dog, either in the larger environment (i.e. a person, fire hydrant, truck or trash can in the distance) or close by (i.e. mail stacked on the steps, pillows on the floor, visitor sitting on the couch or a broom propped up against the wall)?
Are you wearing different, unfamiliar clothing or a hat, bracelets that jangle, new glasses or heavy boots that change your gait? Although dogs need to be within 20 feet of an object to identify it by sight (whereas we humans an identify the same object at 75-80 feet), they can more easily identify objects by the way they move.
What does my dog smell?
Hair gel, deodorant, shampoo (for you and your dog), conditioner, perspiration, tooth paste, soap, lotions, cosmetics, perfumes and medications can all be detected by our shy super sniffers. Have you changed your personal care products recently?
Are you using harsh cleaning products in your home and around your dog’s safe space? Do you live near a city, industrial park, landfill or construction site? If you can smell it, your dog can, too… one hundred times better than you!
What does my dog hear?
The doorbell, refrigerator, appliances, phone, computer, kitchen timer, house and smoke alarms, mower, the next door neighbors, wind in the trees and sounds that are too high pitched for the human ear can all make our dogs cower. If it’s loud for you, it’s unbearable for your dog.
What does my dog feel?
Unfamiliar surfaces like vinyl, carpeting, wood chips, water or grass can throw our dogs into sensory overload. Petting our dogs may feel good to us, but does it feel good to our dogs? Safety equipment such as collars, leashes, harnesses, and muzzles need to be slowly introduced with positive associations. Just clipping a leash to our shy dogs can be traumatizing.
A fuzzy fleece coat may make us warm and cozy, but our dogs may feel stressed and uncomfortable when confined in their jackets. Changes in weather, especially barometric pressure, can also contribute to our dogs’ emotional state.
What does my dog taste?
Kibble, soft food, home cooked or raw; our dogs do have preferences, and it’s our job to figure them out.
Dogs also have a unique ability to both smell AND taste odor at the same time via Jacobson’s Organ. What’s wafting towards him on the breeze?
Once you have identified potential triggers (the sounds, sights, touches, tastes or smells) that concern your dog, you can then acknowledge his worries and remove the trigger, remove the dog or slowly desensitize him so he is less likely to be afraid (of the former trigger) in the future.
With practice, you will be much more aware of what your dog experiences, which in turn allows you to give him the time, appropriate distance and proper training he needs to become less sense-ative.
Photo Credit: Pixabay / SD-Pictures
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