Emotions and moods

This image from National Pet Month shows how emotional states are influenced by Valence (a feeling state) and an arousal level. Please click it to see their fantastic article on how to recognise when your dog's emotional well-being may be at risk.

What

  • Multiple models are used to measure and track emotions and how they are formed. One model is the Dimensional model, which suggests that emotion occurs within a two-dimensional space spanning valence and arousal.
  • Valence is how the individual feels about a stimulus or within themselves.
  • Arousal is the intensity of the stimulus and the excitability of the dog

Why

Understanding the corelation between Valence and arousal can help us identify potential issues before they occour and it can also prove invaluable in the counter condititiong process. During the socilisation process it allows us to improve positive interactions when we know our dogs enjoy certain triggers and change any negative associations by reducing arousal and adding positive associations while the dog is under threshold.

How

+VE Arousal: You can increase arousal by engaging in energetic exercises like running, Playing fetch, or other similar activities, which may also help us energise our dog. Some dogs get over-aroused around food or toys they like.
+VE Valence: You can improve how the dog feels about certain objects, triggers or situations by pairing them with positive memories and things that the dog enjoys. This can be done by delivering something pleasurable a few seconds after the dog experiences the perceived negative stimulus.
-VE Arousal: You can decrease arousal by getting your dog to "Go Sniff" or giving them a Lick mat or an appropriate chew. Some dogs may find going to their mat/bed or Den relaxing. Often, adding distance between triggers helps reduce arousal.
-VE Valence: You can change how the dog feels about certain objects, triggers, or situations by pairing them with negative memories and things that the dog doesn't like. For example, if the dog likes other dogs and wants to play but is walked on a choke chain, every time they see a dog and pull forward, they get a correction. Soon, they will start to associate the sight of the other dog as a bad thing.


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