At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that threatens to derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives. 
Verified by Psychology Today
Updated July 16, 2023 Reviewed by Jessica Schrader
If you’re feeling socially anxious and cranky lately, you’re not alone. Researchers are seeing a worldwide uptick in mental health problems—and even your dog could be feeling it.
For humans and dogs alike, many mental health challenges trace back to the COVID pandemic. Not only did we lose loved ones and incomes, lockdown periods and quarantines deprived us of opportunities to connect personally and enjoy in-person relationships and activities. We got out of the habit of interacting in real life and young children missed out on play dates, school, and other important social practice during critical developmental periods.
In a trickle-down effect, puppies and dogs also faced new stresses due to COVID:
So how can we help our puppies and dogs stay mentally balanced? Here are three ideas:
Anyone under stress can benefit from a pressure release valve. Have you ever done something as simple as tapping a foot, chewing a pencil, or squeezing a rubbery stress ball? For dogs, chewing is innately rewarding and relaxing. One small study considered the emotional state of dogs in social isolation when given four different distractions. They compared a hollow rubbery toy filled with kibble, a device that dropped kibble at intervals, the same device accompanied by a recording of a friendly-sounding person talking, and a long-lasting chew toy. The dogs preferred the long-lasting chew toy, staying calmer and engaging with it longer. It’s easy to improve our dog’s mental health just by giving them a long, satisfying chew.
All of us get cranky when we’re not feeling well, and dogs have limited ways to clue us in when they’re feeling uncomfortable and in pain. A dog can’t tap us on the shoulder and whisper that they’re struggling because of too much attention, a belly ache, or a sprained hip. But they might pull away, urinate, destroy objects, growl, snap, or even hump to communicate. We can help by paying close attention, because anywhere from around 30% to 80% of behavioral problems are linked to medical problems. If a dog is acting up, consult the vet and ask for a careful exam. Thyroid imbalances and arthritis, for example, can lead to aggression. Sometimes, medication itself may be the hidden cause. For example, corticosteroids contribute to mental imbalances and aggressive behavior in both people and dogs.
Pets have so little control over their daily routine—we tell them where to go, what to do, what to eat, and when to relieve themselves—that we can ease a significant amount of their stress and anxiety by giving them more choices. For example, a dog could choose where to sniff while outside on a walk, or whether they want to sit right next to you or a little further away. Rather than insist on petting them when and how you want, watch what the dog requests through their body language. Are they turning their head away when you reach out your hand to them? This suggests they are declining. Are they leaning toward you or nosing your hand for petting? This means they are eager for contact. If you can let them come to you and be flexible about how long they are willing to be touched or play, you will improve their mental health.
References
Kindred, Reuben, and Glen W. Bates. 2023. “The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Social Anxiety: A Systematic Review.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20 (3): 2362. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032362.
Sacchettino, Luigi, Claudia Gatta, Andrea Chirico, Luigi Avallone, Francesco Napolitano, and Danila d’Angelo. 2023. “Puppies Raised during the COVID-19 Lockdown Showed Fearful and Aggressive Behaviors in Adulthood: An Italian Survey.” Veterinary Sciences 10 (3): 198. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10030198.
Takagi, Saho, Hikari Koyasu, Madoka Hattori, Takumi Nagasawa, Michiro Maejima, Miho Nagasawa, Takefumi Kikusui, and Atsuko Saito. 2023. “Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Behavioural Tendencies of Cats and Dogs in Japan.” Animals 13 (13): 2217. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132217.
Ribeiro, Luana de Sousa, Guilherme M. Soares, Emmanuel Arnold, and Maria C. Nobre e Castro. 2023. “Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Behavior and Physical Health of Dogs in Rio de Janeiro State: Reflections on the Quality of Life of Dogs and Their Owners.” Journal of Veterinary Behavior 60 (February): 37–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2022.12.001.
Gregory, Rebekah Kim. 2023. “Animals Other than Human Animals and Their Claim to Equal Consideration in Coronavirus and Criminological Study: Examining Harm to Domesticated Dogs during COVID-19 in the UK.” Social Sciences 12 (4): 195. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12040195.
Mills, Daniel S., Isabelle Demontigny-Bédard, Margaret Gruen, Mary P. Klinck, Kevin J. McPeake, Ana Maria Barcelos, Lynn Hewison, et al. 2020. “Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs.” Animals 10 (2): 318. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020318.
Notari, Lorella, Roxane Kirton, and Daniel S. Mills. 2022. “Psycho-Behavioural Changes in Dogs Treated with Corticosteroids: A Clinical Behaviour Perspective.” Animals 12 (5): 592. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050592.
Flint, Hannah E., Megan Atkinson, James Lush, Alysia B. G. Hunt, and Tammie King. 2023. “Long-Lasting Chews Elicit Positive Emotional States in Dogs during Short Periods of Social Isolation.” Animals 13 (4): 552. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040552.
Wendy Lyons Sunshine, MA, is the author of Tender Paws: How Science-Based Parenting Can Transform Our Relationship with Dogs and co-author of The Connected Child and Raising the Challenging Child.
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At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that threatens to derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives.
