Scottsdale Health September 2019

Do what your dog
likes, not what
you think they
like
Some dogs like dog
parks, others don’t.
Some love hiking,
others love puzzles.
Pay attention to signs
of stress or displeasure
in your dog, and
signs of happiness.
reliever, but the
study showed the
dog’s activity level
did not affect their
cortisol levels.
Finding a low impact,
but high value activity,
like curling up
together with a good
book, can provide a
relaxing environment
to help you and your
and so are dogs.
Breaking their standard
routine will
add stress to your
dog, so stick with
a strong schedule.
Having a routine also
helps many people
de-stress, because
there is less to forget
when you’ve done it
a hundred times.
be car rides. Keep an
eye out for triggers
that increase their
stress and find ways
to eliminate them.
Take a new walking
path, hold your game
night at a friend’s
house, skip the road
trips until you both
are in a less stressed
place in life. You
cortisol levels much
better than one who
may be obese or
dealing with other
health concerns. A
combination of high
cortisol, abnormal
weight, and underlying
medical issues
can lead to longterm
or immediate
problems in your
cortisol spikes in
your dog when they
sense your rough day
can be unpleasant,
but not a danger.
If you had a bad
day, hang out with
your dog and relax
without worry. If
you’re consistently
stressed, you may be
passing that stress
We all want the best for our families and pets. Working as a team to decrease stress
is yet another way to strengthen the human animal bond!
You will quickly figure
out what they enjoy
and what they dislike.
By focusing on activities
you both like,
you’ll bond better and
be more relaxed.
Find a good book
and read together
Many people use
exercise as a stress
dog de-stress. Even
a Netflix binge can
be helpful. Maybe
avoid scary movies
so you don’t accidentally
spike your
adrenaline.
Routine, routine,
routine
Humans are pattern
creating animals,
Find those
triggers
Everybody has triggers
that set off their
stress level; loud
noises, long hours,
telemarketers. Your
dog has triggers,
too! Maybe it’s the
neighbor dog on your
walk, maybe it’s new
visitors, it could even
can’t always eliminate
all their triggers,
but keep their stress
down by doing what
you can.
A healthy dog is
a happier dog
Watch those extra
treats and extra
pounds. A healthy
dog can handle high
dog. Don’t forget,
you can’t outrun your
mouth, and neither
can they; staying
healthy starts with a
healthy diet.
A hard day is
rough, a hard
month is a
concern
Acute stress or
along to them, and
will need to increase
your de-stress activities
together.
We all want the
best for our families
and pets. Working as
a team to decrease
stress is yet another
way to strengthen
the human animal
bond!
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