Editor ’ s Review
The Stress Factor in Dogs :
Unlocking Resiliency and Enhancing Well-Being
Written by Kristina Spaulding , Ph . D ., CAAB Published by Dogwise , 403 S . Mission St ., Wenatchee , Washington , on June 8 , 2022 ; 202 pages . Where to purchase : Dogwise , $ 24.95 paperback ; Amazon , $ 24.95 paperback , $ 23.70 Kindle ; Target ( online ), $ 24.95 ; Barnes and Noble , $ 24.95 paperback , $ 9.99 ebook .
Kristina Spaulding , Ph . D ., CAAB , has long been a familiar name for members of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers . She ’ s a regular writer for APDT ’ s Chronicle of the Dog , has been named APDT Member of the Year ( 2019 ) and served on that association ’ s Education Committee . She is a certified applied animal behaviorist and earned her doctorate in biopsychology following her undergraduate degree in wildlife ecology . Now she has taken her scientific observations and research to focus on stress in dogs , which may be the “ big bang ” of wayward dog behavior .
As Kristina explains in her introduction , the birth of this book began with a tan and black dog named Onyx , a fluffy puppy that had been found on the side of the road with his siblings . By the time Onyx was adopted , he had been passed from one rescue to another for four months . Dedicated to his new puppy , Miquel tried to socialize Onyx with daycare , puppy classes at a big box store and individual trainers , who failed to help the pup . Alas , time did no favors for Onyx , as he grew increasingly anxious and aggressive , biting Miquel , his new wife and their miniature poodle . After several serious bites , Miguel made the decision to have Onyx euthanized . Dr . Spaulding wondered what the outcome could have been for Onyx if all of the people who had been in the pup ’ s life – rescue volunteers , dog trainers , veterinarians and staff – had considered how stress would impact his behavior .
It is Onyx ’ s story that shaped the premise of the book , how stress can manifest itself in your dog ’ s behavior as aggressive , excessive barking , fear and anxiety and high arousal and reactivity . The book also explains dogs need more in life than just their basic needs are met . As Dr . Spaulding explains : “ You can think of welfare as eliminating negative emotions and experiences and well-being as increasing resilience , positive emotions and experiences . If we really want to maximize quality of life for animals , then we want to focus on both welfare and well-being .”
The 202-page , eight-chapter book features a foreword by Irith
Bloom , a fellow APDT Education Committee member and esteemed dog trainer who has collaborated for years with Dr . Spaulding . “‘ The Stress Factor in Dogs ’ is a distillation of knowledge Kristina has amassed over many years of working both in academia and with clients ,” Irith writes . “ In it , she lays out the relevant science on stress and behavior , both in general and as it specifically applies to dogs . She explains in clear terms why a lot of problematic dog behavior happens , and what to do to help dogs succeed in human homes .”
In explaining stress , Dr . Spaulding uses research to explain different types of stress , described as good , tolerable and toxic . As her chapters delve into each type of stress , she uses examples to easily demonstrate how good ( eustress ) stress can benefit a dog , or how chronic / toxic stress can contribute to less than desirable behaviors . Chapter 2 breaks down stress hormones and how chronic stress results in physiological responses , i . e ., dogs with high anxiety often suffer more frequently with skin issues .
So why do some dogs shake off stress like water and others become overwhelmed in dealing with the anxiety ? Just look around you . There are people who can handle high-stress jobs , such as air traffic controllers , a type of job that would overcome others with constant dread and anxiety that would create ulcers and insomnia . Even puppies born to mothers who underwent severe stress during pregnancy tend to be more anxious . And all of that toxic stress
The APDT Chronicle of the Dog | Winter 2022 59