Author: Nicole Pitts

Did you know that even dogs can get the blues? Just like us humans, dogs can feel down, depressed, and stressed. They might not binge Netflix or eat a pint of ice cream like we might when we are feeling down, but there are specific symptoms we can look for in our dogs.

With symptoms of depression, dogs can become inactive or withdrawn, their sleeping habits might change, and they might not be enjoying things they used to, like playing. Stress can cause your pup to pace, whine, yawn, or pant more than normal.

If you notice any of these changes or new habits in your dog, the first thing you should do is contact your vet. Some of these symptoms could be caused by a medical condition like arthritis or a food allergy. Once you determine it’s not a medical concern, it’s time to figure out what’s causing these issues and get your pup treated.

Just like in humans, major life changes are stressful. Moving to a new home, welcoming a new person or pet into the household, losing a companion, or changing daily activities can trigger depression and stress. Other causes can be loud noises or boredom and frustration.

The easiest way to help your pup recover from this is to keep them engaged and doing things they enjoy. Reward tail wags and interactions with praise and pets. Make sure you stick to your routines and provide a safe, quiet place for your dog to relax. If a dog has recently lost a companion, sometimes getting a new pet can help. In certain cases, a dog will need medication in addition to the treatments above to move on from stress and depression. Be sure to contact your veterinarian if you don’t feel your pup is headed towards the road to recovery.

You’ve adopted a new dog and are ready to take them home, but what’s next?

Your main goal should be to reduce your dog’s fear, anxiety, and stress during this important transition. Naturally, you’ll be excited to have your dog join you at home but try to remain calm and relaxed in these early days. Here are the best ways to welcome your new dog without overstimulating them:

1.) Get all the supplies you’ll need before your dog arrives. You’ll need a collar with ID tag (the dog’s name and your phone number), plus a harness, leash, soft bed, and safe, sturdy chew toys like Nylabones and Kongs.

2.) Limit the area of your home that your dog can explore to one or two rooms. Let the dog settle into the smaller space at first before you allow them to roam. This helps them to feel more comfortable before exploring a large space with many unknowns. Set up a crate or playpen as a safe space, and make sure that electrical cords, cleaning supplies and chemicals, chewable items, and other hazards are kept far away from where your dog could access them.

3.) Limit the people and animals your dog meets at first. Don’t invite other people to visit until your dog is completely comfortable with your family. You can introduce other pets after the dog is more settled. Make sure you educate yourself and follow the correct protocols for introducing animals!

4.) Always feed the dog in a space separate from children and noise. Feed just enough that the dog can finish all the food. If food is left in the bowl, the dog may want to “guard” it and may react negatively if anyone approaches the bowl. When the dog has finished eating, remove the bowl so the dog won’t try to protect it.

5.) Stability and regularity help to ease stress in dogs, so arrange a schedule that the dog can become accustomed to. This should include specific feeding times, walk times, and the times you leave and arrive home from work.

6.) Once your dog is comfortable enough to explore the rest of your apartment or house, establish the rules so your dog will know what to expect. Are they allowed on certain pieces of furniture? Are any rooms off-limits? Do you want them to sit before you place their food bowl on the floor? Whatever your rules may be, make sure the whole family follows them to avoid confusing the dog. Most important is using positive reinforcement for the dog’s desired behaviors. Don’t punish or scold them for undesired behavior.

7.) Use consistent phrases to communicate what you want, and say your dog’s name before each command. These phrases can be “go potty” for outdoor elimination, “let’s walk” for going outside on a leash, and “come here,” “sit,” and “lie down” as you gradually teach them to move at your request. Speak in a calm voice and maintain eye contact with your dog when you say a command. And always praise your dog for responding correctly!

8.) Establish a veterinarian relationship as soon as possible. Take your dog’s previous history, medical records, and vaccine records so that your vet has a record of when certain vaccinations and regular care need to happen. Reward your dog throughout the visit to ease their fear.

9.) To avoid teaching your dog unwanted behavior, never allow anyone to play rough with them and vice versa. Always interact gently and firmly with your dog, and always treat them with kindness.

Myths can be fun in folklore, but they aren’t so fun when they prevent people from adopting a perfectly nice dog or cat from their local shelter.

So, what are some of the myths making the rounds today? And how can you feel more confident, in spite of the myths, about adopting your next pet from your local shelter? Let’s take a look.

Myth 1: Shelter pets are all sick
Ironically, animals in reputable shelters have something going for them that many household pets don’t: they are assured regular veterinarian attention so any medical issues they may have are addressed before they are placed for adoption.

Reputable shelters like Atlanta Humane provide all age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming, and regular flea, tick, and heartworm prevention to all animals while under their care. All pets are also spayed or neutered prior to adoption. And last but definitely not least, Atlanta Humane provides a healthy pet examination that includes a personalized medical assessment and treatment plan if needed before you take your new best friend home.

Myth 2: All shelter pets are old
Many times, you hear this one mentioned in the same breath as myth #1 and, frankly, it just isn’t so. According to the Shelter Animal Counts national database that is updated regularly by shelters throughout the US, of the roughly 1.3 million dog and cat adoptions they tracked in 2022, 41% were of animals classified as “youths” or aged 6 months and younger. So, if you have your heart set on adopting a puppy or kitten, be assured that shelters are viable resources.

And speaking of puppies and kittens…

Myth 3: Puppies and kittens are awesome!
OK, this one is pretty true! Puppies and kittens are cute, loveable, fun, and fabulous … except when they aren’t. They cry during the night, poop on your nice rug, tear up the expensive Nikes® your kids left out (again), and require lots and lots of attention to gently teach them not to do all of the above. Puppies and kittens can make a great addition to your family, but potential adopters should recognize that they require a time and energy commitment that an older dog or cat may not.

And what about those “older” dogs or cats?

Myth 4: Older pets cannot bond with new owners
Not true! While adult pets may take more time to warm up, given time, attention, and a regular schedule that meets their physical needs, an adult animal can become a wonderful loving addition to your family. They also often have the benefit of already being housebroken, litter box trained, and skilled in basic commands like “sit.”

Myth 5: All shelter pets have behavioral problems
This is probably the most common misconception out there. Many people believe that all shelter animals end up there because of something they did that is inherently wrong, bad, or unacceptable.

In reality, the data shows that 75% of the time, the most common reasons that pets end up in shelters have nothing to do with the pet themselves but rather other challenges that the owners are facing. These include having too many animals in the household (that batch of kittens you weren’t expecting), housing issues (landlord doesn’t allow pets), caretaker or family member health issues (allergies, new baby, death of owner), and financial challenges (lost job). And while it is true that some pets are surrendered due to personality or behavioral issues, many times these animals have had no training to help them understand how to co-exist with humans or the family selected a pet that was inappropriate for their lifestyle (a big, energetic dog in a small apartment).

Your best bet is to visit the shelter and spend time with the adoptable pets, even multiple times, to get a sense of their character and appropriateness for your family and lifestyle. Also, ask shelter employees and volunteers about the pet you are most interested in adopting. They spend time with the adoptable pets on a daily basis and get to know their quirks, likes, and dislikes.

Lastly, Atlanta Humane offers a Foster First Program. This program gives you the opportunity to take an animal home for up to 14 days prior to adoption. This means you get to see how your potential new pet will interact on your home turf before deciding if they are the perfect fit for you and your family. As an added bonus, you’ll have the full support of the Atlanta Humane Foster and Adoption Teams in case you have any questions along the way.

The bottom line is that each pet comes with their own unique personality and it takes time to get to know them, just like it would with a person.

Myth 6: Shelters only have mixed breeds
The predominant shelter pet is not going to be AKC-registered purebreds. And purebreds that do end up in shelters do not stay long. But Atlanta Humane makes it easier for you to find the breed of your dreams through the Pet Alert program. Just sign up and you will receive real-time notifications when dogs or cats who match your selection become available for adoption.

That being said, what’s so wrong with a mixed breed? Some argue that with a purebred animal, you know exactly what you are getting. But please reference myth #5! All pets come with their own unique personality. And while there are some general traits exhibited by certain breeds (goofy, fun-loving Golden Retrievers), a “golden mix” doesn’t necessarily lose these traits simply by being mixed with something else.

Myth 7: Adopting from a shelter is difficult
It is estimated that between 10% to 15% of pets adopted from shelters are later returned to the shelter. This is obviously difficult on everyone involved: the family making the hard decision to surrender their pet, the shelter staff, and the pet themselves. No one wants this to happen.

To ensure a good pet-to-family match and prevent as many returns as possible, shelters do have an application process. It’s not hard, but it does ask for some self-reflection and honesty.

For instance, while you may in theory think you would love a big, active dog, if work constraints prevent you from regularly walking and exercising that big, active dog, this could be a recipe for disaster that leads to undesired pet behavior as a result of excess energy. It can also lead to the return of an otherwise good pet.

The application process is designed to give you the chance to really think about the type of pet you want as well as the type of pet that will work for your individual lifestyle. You may be asked things like what is your desired activity level in a pet? Do you want a pet that can run a couple of miles with you daily? Or do you want one that is happiest snuggling on the couch with you? Does your potential pet need to be comfortable with little ones running or crawling about? Will they be the only pet in the household or need to be comfortable sharing your attention with other dogs or cats?

There will also be practical questions about your living situation. If you live in an apartment, do they allow pets or have restrictions that might impact the pet you can pick? And there will be questions about your commitment to the ongoing health of your new pet that will require regular maintenance vet visits and preventative medications or treatments.

The process and the questions are all geared towards making sure you find the best match not just for now, but also throughout the lifetime of your new best friend.

The joys of spring are upon us: warmer weather, longer days … and thunderstorms. For many dog owners, this time of year is both a blessing and a curse. We appreciate the long sunny walks with our furry friends but dread every rumble and pop-up shower as they turn our otherwise easy-going dogs into panicked, panting messes that we are powerless to comfort.

It isn’t completely clear what causes this seemingly irrational fear of storms (loud noises, wind, changes in barometric pressure, increased static in the air, etc.), but without intervention, it can worsen over time and greatly diminish your pet’s quality of life.

Even before the first drop of rain or flash of lightning, your dog may start to exhibit signs of storm anxiety, including excessive panting, pacing, trying to hide, or trying to escape. As the storm progresses, so does their level of fear, which can lead to destructive behavior that is harmful to both your dog and your home.

There seems to be a consensus among experts that the best way to help decrease your pet’s anxiety is to plan and act ahead rather than wait until the storm is upon you. This means always being aware of the weather forecast, especially during storm season, and acting accordingly. Strategies include:

1.) Having a safe place for your dog to hide that is selected by them. This could be the basement away from noise and flashes of light, a closet, under a bed, their crate with a blanket draped over it, or even a bathroom or bathtub. While a bathroom and bathtub are seemingly random places, there is some thought that the tile or porcelain helps lessen possible shocks your dog may be feeling from increased atmospheric static. Wherever your dog chooses, allow unrestricted entrance and exit from that location so they do not feel trapped. For example, if it is a crate, leave the door open as some dogs have been known to try to scratch or bite through the crate to escape in their terror.

2.) For some dogs, a special compression garment like a thunder shirt may be helpful. It creates a sensation of being swaddled like a baby and should be placed on your dog as soon as or before anxious behavior begins. Allow your dog to wear the garment periodically prior to needing it and provide positive reinforcement like treats while they have it on to build up a positive association.

3.) Play soothing music or a sound machine that can help distract them from the thunder and lightning crashes. Research shows that classical music is one of the more soothing genres for pets in shelters, so break out the Bach and Mozart even if it isn’t your favorite and avoid the heavy metal, which can just add to their stress.

4.) Experiment with dog-specific synthetic pheromones. Pheromones are chemical substances that are naturally produced and released into the environment by a dog, and it affects the behavior of other dogs. Synthetic pheromones like Adaptal™ are designed to mimic a mother dog’s natural nursing pheromones to promote a feeling of calm. They are odorless to humans and can be delivered into the dog’s surroundings through a plug-in diffuser, collar, or spray.

5.) With the help of a professional behaviorist, try desensitization techniques during winter or other times of the year when there are no thunderstorms. These include playing recorded storm sounds at a low level while distracting your dog with play, treats, or cuddles. As they become less reactive to the recording over time, the volume can be slowly increased.

6.) Work with your vet to develop a medication plan that can help lessen anxiety. Medications tend to work only if they are in your dog’s system a couple of hours prior to the anxiety-inducing event. Since summer storms can be unpredictable, this may mean planning daily preventative dosages during high storm season even when no storms occur.

It is not unusual for a pet owner to need to use more than one of these strategies to help decrease their pet’s storm anxiety. Have patience, be calm, and seek professional help when needed. Above all, do not punish your dog for their storm anxiety. They are not acting up; they are terrified and will only become more anxious and confused if you punish them for attempting to relieve their fear.

Sometimes trust is given; other times, it is earned. With fearful cats, earning trust is a process but anyone who has ever befriended a fearful cat knows there is no greater reward. Fearful cats are often under-socialized, meaning they have had little to no human interaction. When approached, these cats will exhibit behaviors like hiding, hissing, and even swatting. They will run away, attempting to avoid any human contact. But all is not lost. Fearful cats can learn to trust humans if you are willing to put in the work. Here are some ways to get started:

Limit the space: If given the choice, fearful cats will hide from humans. When bringing a fearful cat into your home, confine the cat to a small room with limited opportunity for hiding. A bedroom is ideal. Assess the room for all possible hiding spots and block off as much as possible. If they can fit in or under it, they will find a way. The more places that are available to hide in, the longer it will take for the cat to acclimate. They will not come out of hiding if they don’t need to. In saying that, keep in mind that no cat likes to feel exposed. Ensure the cat does have a shallow hiding spot. This could be a cat tree with a tunnel or other covered space, a covered bed, or a box. Choose something that is easily accessible to you and the cat. You don’t want the cat hiding in the back of a closet or underneath the bed, where it becomes difficult for you to work with the cat.

Give your time: The more time you are able to spend with the cat, the quicker the socialization process will be. It starts with simply being in their presence. At the beginning, give the cat space and allow them to get used to you. Don’t rush to make contact with the cat. Soon enough, the cat will begin to walk around and learn that you are not an immediate threat. The first goal is for the cat to accept your existence. This may take hours to weeks. When this happens, the cat will start cautiously exploring, eating, and/or using the litter box around you.

Avoid contact: To humans, direct eye contact is a sign of positive communication. In the animal world, it can be seen as a threat. When establishing a relationship with a fearful cat, avoid direct eye contact. If the cat is staring at you, look away. If the cat approaches to sniff you, ignore the cat and allow them to explore you with their nose. If the cat is highly fearful, don’t worry about trying to touch them. Right now, the goal is to get the cat to accept you into their space.

Discover what the cat values: Explore if the cat is treat or play-motivated. Most cats–even fearful felines–will display signs they are interested in one of these. If you are lucky, it will be both! Use the treats or playtime to your advantage to engage the cat. The cat will start redefining your relationship when positive things like treats and toys are associated with your presence.

Begin touch therapy: Potentially, the biggest hurdle to work through is making contact. Approach the cat with your finger to let him smell you. If he accepts your finger, try touching his nose. Slowly test out the cat’s willingness to touch. Fearful cats are not all the same. Some are more open to being touched; however, reluctance is expected. Take your time and be patient with the process. Touch therapy can take weeks before the cat makes a conscious decision to be petted. Never hold the cat down and force touch. Simple techniques you can try are:
• Grazing his tail as he walks by you.
• While playing or eating, stroke his back.
• Use a toothbrush. If you discover the cat is highly resistant to the approach of your hand, a toothbrush can be a powerful tool to desensitize the cat to touch. When they are distracted (with play, eating, or simply walking by), graze the toothbrush on their back gently. Over time, the cat won’t even pay attention to it. Keep progressing until you can use your hand.

Even brief touches make progress. With each touch, the cat is learning this is not something they need to fear. Don’t give up and you will be surprised at the progress made.

Slow down your movements: Once the cat accepts petting and limits their time spent hiding, you can start allowing them to have more access to the home. An often-overlooked action is consciously slowing down your movement. When the cat expands their territory and is able to roam freely around the home, they will likely continue to exhibit fearfulness. Slowing your movement down can help immensely. For instance, if the cat is lounging on a table and looking out the window, slow your movement as you pass by so the cat can observe and assess that there is no threat. If he is laying beside you and you need to get up, slowly get up instead of jumping up off the sofa like normal. The goal is to help the cat understand there is no need to run and hide every time you walk by or move. As you move by the cat, try talking sweetly, petting them, or simply ignoring them altogether. Observe their behavior and learn when they feel the instinct to run. Sometimes, pausing all movement may also help improve fearful tendencies. When a fearful cat has warmed up to you but psychs himself out and scampers off to get a few feet away, try simply standing still. Oftentimes, a fearful cat at this stage will look back, see you are not moving, and walk back to you. It’s a learning process for the cat, and slow movements will help establish confidence and trust. If they can interpret what your movement is going to be, they will not take off running. The goal is to help the cat learn they are safe.

Forcing action limits progress: Do not force a cat to do anything. If the cat shows resistance, back off and try again later. If the cat is hiding, allow him to make the choice to come out. This is not to say that you can’t approach the cat in its hiding spot to touch it, but don’t force him out of his safe space. Don’t force touch if the cat shows signs of aggression.

Never chase: Never chase a fearful cat. This will regress any progress you made.

Fearful cats can integrate into a home and become fulfilling companions. Being a fearful cat does not mean that they are incapable of giving or receiving love. Fearful cats can thrive. They need time and the patience of a loving home. The next time a fearful cat pulls at your heartstrings, look past the fearfulness and consider their potential instead. All they need is a little time and patience. You will not only earn the cat’s trust but also a lifetime of loyalty.