Post Traumatic Stress in Military Dogs

Here’s an interesting article about Gina, a military bomb-sniffing dog, and her experience with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Having witnessed this in many dogs, I know how long of a process it can be to help the dog be comfortable being a dog again. So, while the article is informative, I am greatly disappointed to read the dog is being rehabilitated so it can go back into service. I don’t know about you, but knowing that would be enough for me to be sure I didn’t heal completely. I wish Gina could make that choice.

SERVICE DOG SUFFERS FROM IRAQ WAR

Do You Have a Guard Dog?

Not all dogs are good at being guard dogs.  A barking dog is a huge deterrent to anyone entering a place they aren’t invited to enter.  Mac, a large Labradoodle, is boisterous and can be intimidating because of his size; however, I am almost certain his bark is his way of saying, “hey, look at me…I can bark.”  End of story.  How do you know if you have a guard dog?

Where a dog chooses to lie down and rest, tells you a lot about their protective instincts.  Ever notice how they seem to pick the same area or position even when you encourage them to lie elsewhere?  Perhaps they choose the foot of the bed rather than snuggling up next to you.

I am not only referring to whether they are on the sofa or on the floor, but rather where they choose to be positioned in relationship to you.  If I’m on the computer or seated in a room working, one of my dogs will almost always have her back to me and she is facing out so she can keep a watchful eye on what is happening around us.  She instinctively will position herself as the guard.

Another dog, will always have his back to something (a wall or the couch) when lying down.  He is able to watch what’s happening around him while keeping his back protected.  He is far more concerned about his back than mine!

It is interesting to watch and learn from our dogs as they share their pack instincts with us.  They are paying a lot more attention to their positioning in relationship to us than we may know.  My lovely Chapin, a sweet Pit Bull, would have gladly told anyone who cared to break in that I was upstairs and that my purse was in the kitchen, but please don’t make her get up from the chaise lounge.

If a guard dog is all you want, maybe you should try a home security system.  If you get a dog as a deterrent because of their bark, most will do a good job of that.   They will also be a great companion and given healthy attention and guidance, be there for you whether or not they will protect you from all harm.

In this pack, I have what I refer to as the early warning system (barkers) and the backup – the ones who might do more than just bark.  I hope I never have to find out!