My German shepherd just had her 12th birthday.
Zumi and I have been through a lot together over the last dozen years. She has been a puppy ambassador, my demo dog for obedience and tracking classes, my sidekick when I did a few TV appearances and, of course, my constant companion who protects me from everything from charging bulls to jumping spiders.
Even in her senior years she is still the first one out the door in the morning and always finds a stick or ball for me to throw. But her hips are not her friends these days. After a good walk she spends a lot of time finding comfortable places to rest. I really don't like asking her to move once she has gotten comfortable. It takes such effort for her to get up and move and she is getting a bit cranky. So I kind of let sleeping dogs lie.
I have always believed that dogs should be given a place that they can call their own. A place they feel secure they won't get stepped on, shoved aside or told to move. A place they can sleep without chaotic activity waking them up before they get a chance to close one eye. A place that is quiet enough they can listen to the activity around them without being disturbed by it.
Dogs, just like humans, need quiet time now and then to rejuvenate and rest. Dogs that live in a busy household with kids and friends coming and going and constant activity around them can get stressed and cranky. Dogs that are older, tire more quickly or have the aches and pains of arthritis, inflammation or other health issues are often uncomfortable and therefore easily irritated and less tolerant of constant noise and activity around them. Young dogs and puppies who are struggling with impulse control issues, or who become overstimulated very quickly, need a time out spot to calm down.
It's easy to overlook our dogs and not consider the fact that they may be stressed in certain situations. If you experience feelings of impatience or stress in any given environment you can guarantee that your dog is feeling the same way to some degree. But since most dogs are very stoic with their emotions of discomfort, their needs often go unnoticed. It's easy to recognize when our dogs are happy as they freely express joy and affection. When it comes to stress or fear, they can sometimes hide those emotions and look relatively calm on the exterior, but inside there is a raging stress battle going on.
Heavy panting and pacing are two clear signs that your dog may be stressed. They may act unusually clingy, start pawing, shiver or jump. Some dogs may even begin compulsive behaviours like licking or drinking water excessively. And then there are dogs that simply do nothing, or that look like they are doing nothing, but their bodies are tense and ready to react at any second.
In the home, a time out spot can be anywhere away from activity, loud noise and people. A crate in a room not often used, such as an extra bedroom, den or home office, is ideal. If a crate is used the door of the crate can be shut so the dog feels safe and humans can't reach in and bother it, but the door to the room can be left open. This way the dog can observe and hear what is going on and still feel included in the pack, but not right in the thick of things.
If a crate is not used, then a comfortable bed for the dog to rest on in a quiet part of the home with a closed door will do. If the room or crate is left open, often a dog will give itself a time out when it learns it won't be bothered in that spot and needs a quiet place to rest. When the dog has regained its composure or has rested adequately it will join the group on its own.
We all need a little Zen time now and then - even our faithful companions.
Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her through her website k9kinship.com.
