Why anxiety pills and relaxation protocols weaken your dog's resilience

[@groenenterv8297]

Thank you! Another clear explanation of real science from you. Yes, please do a breakdown of the studies. The dog training world needs to hear this from a real scientist with the academic credentials to be taken seriously. Also, with regard to the “biased narrative”, as well as the lack of rigour in the studies in question, could you also explain publication bias in your breakdown. It is a factor not well-known or understood outside academia. There is a naïve belief in the neutrality of those conducting the studies in those that do not understand the relationship between funding, studies, publication, promotion and the politics of academia and how this relationship affects publication bias. Again, this is something dog trainers need to hear from someone who indisputably has the background from working in academia to understand and explain this.

[@CharlieTheCaneCorso]

I love when science reenforces my common sense approach to dogs and dog training

[@gmelliot19]

When people talk about relaxation they are talking about desensitization (eg extinction or habituation of stress responses to specific stimuli / events) NOT about building resilience. Desensitization is about repeated exposure to specific stimuli. Systematic desensitization means exposing the dog to stimuli at a low enough level that it doesn’t elicit stress response, and gradually increasing exposure with time and repetitions. Flooding means exposing the dog to stimuli at a high enough level to elicit stress response but for a long enough duration or high enough frequency that the dog recovers and relaxes in the presence of the stimuli. When we talk about resilience it’s about how the dog responds to stress overall not to particular stimuli.

[@rehabilitatingbuzzy3281]

Yes! And that's why training is an art.

[@EauDeMichele]

Thank you 😊 We are constantly trying new ways to incorporate our high anxiety dog into our lifestyle. It is a real balance allowing her to experience new things without completely overwhelming her with fear of safety. When we got her at 3 months, she would completely empty her bowels if we left our yard with her. She’s two now and we’ve come a long way. This information is so valuable to us. I have watched and used many of the methods explained by Michael Ellis (loved your interview of him btw 👍)

[@alright..alright]

Yes please, would love a breakdown of the publications. Additionally, I'd would also appreciate an analysis of D.F. Tortora's study, 'Safety Training: The Elimination of Avoidance-Motivated Aggression in Dogs'. Why is this work often overlooked? What are the study's limitations, and could the method described potentially be a valuable tool for addressing aggression

[@dr.melanieuhde]

thanks I'll have a look

[@alesantelices]

Love this topic! Yes please, most cited publications!!!! Thanks! 🐶❤️

[@DanteCamacho]

Thanks, good video.

[@dr.melanieuhde]

Thank you!

[@tuffy2242]

EXCELLENT video!! Perfect subject, explained, supported, and illustrated beautifully! 💪👌👏 Thank you!

[@dr.melanieuhde]

Glad you liked it!

[@nickosathanasakis1548]

Yes please we want to see the breakdown .

[@loderammelaere8105]

Wow, yes please

[@fonsjonkers]

Fantastic video, thank you very much!

[@TrainingaBloodTrackingDog]

Give us the breakdown!! 😊

[@angelinacamacho8575]

with my dog what ive done since puppy hood was only reward him and give him attention when he is in a calm state of mind. my dog knows if he wants to do anything he has to be calm and in control of himself first. I also found that meeting his needs when it comes to stimulation and physical exercise play a huge role in stress management. dogs who are able to fulfill their natural instinct in a more constructive way are less likely to need anxiety meds. ive never had a dog (on my 3rd one now) who has needed anxiety meds because I give them what they naturally need in very creative ways. my dog learned to destress when off leash dogs run up to him (i live in peru where street dogs are common) by going to dog parks and learning how to deal with strange dogs who dont want to harm him. his resilience has built up significantly and now he wont hesitate to tell a dog off if they are too much for him but wont take it too far.

[@EauDeMichele]

I would love to see you interview Dr. Stephanie Yue Cottee. I feel like I’ve heard her referring to some of the same experiments.

[@wolfthiele6137]

I may have misunderstood, but I never thought relaxation protocols were meant to avoid stress (other than over-arousal). Based on what was prescribed to one of our cats I am sure anxiety medication is much overprescribed. A dog's life isn't easy under the best of circumstances (maybe some are ideal). How is this helpful? I would have like a mention that resilient dogs don't need need a prong collar.

[@wolfthiele6137]

Sorry to expand: having listened again this morning I am still under the impression that the implication is that we should intentionally stress our dogs similar to rats in lab ("controlled"), regardless of tool. I doubt it was intended that way but it sounds much like that. At a minimum it brings up ethical aspects. The Sapolsky quote also doesn't seem to support that approach because the dog can't predict or control. Teaching the dog to consent to nail clipping may not be necessary in most cases, but "thoughtful" may not cut it if your dog is already stressed (so the stimulus is too high). I do not avoid stressful situations and seek to help the dog to be able to better handle stress. But this discussion is much too general to be helpful. And the trainers I follow would likely also think you are mischaracterizing their work, even if it's +R.