Does Your Pup Have the COVID CRINGE?

(and what to do if they do.)

Paula Bergeron - Grafton, NH

Let’s get right down to it….. What is the Covid Cringe? The Covid Cringe is the onset or resurgence of your dogs’ reluctance to meet new people or dogs when walking on a leash. You may have noticed that as restrictions of the mask mandate and the 6 ft social distancing guides have relaxed your dog has become reticent to meet new people or dogs. You could see a tail between the legs, backing up, turning off the head to the side, or a bending of the head and butt towards the floor and away from the visitor. This my friends is the Covid Cringe… and if we do not address it, it could certainly morph into the Covid Lunge… and no one wants that.

For some dogs, cringing has been a part of their personality since they were young while for others it surfaced as the restrictions began to lift. Why would dogs develop this fear? Well as with most issues it is most probably due to the humans in their lives. As Covid became a reality we humans had to face something we hate, being out of control. Most of us found ourselves feeling less grounded, experiencing low to high anxiety, and for some downright fear. Our dogs, so dialed into our energy and mood, were immediately affected. For many dogs, this meant lots more walks, more cuddling, and the most drastic their pack stayed put at home. These changes caused our dogs to begin to take on a more leadership role. They must have felt very proud as they kept outsiders at least six feet away from where they belong.

With over a year of keeping their humans safe and at home our dogs have felt they had their pack well in hand…. and then…. restrictions began to lift and now our dogs have been to feel out of control. As the summer of 2021 rolled towards fall more and more dog owners began to reach out for help as their dogs began to show overreactive behaviors towards other dogs and humans. The most common behavior reported has been this reluctance and cringing away from meeting new people but other behaviors such as aggressive barking, snarling, bearing of teeth, lunging, and biting are also on the rise.

If your dog is showing the signs of Covid Cringe here are a few tips that can help:

1. Recognize that your dog is uncomfortable, but don’t judge it. Having a dog who does not want to meet does not mean your dog is not a brilliant, wonderful, loving dog, it means your dog is feeling unsafe. 2. If your dog is leashed and someone asks to meet your dog, the answer should be no. You can politely say, my dog is shy please do not approach. I recommend purchasing a lightweight vest and write on the back, “I Am Shy, Please Do Not Pet Me.” This can prevent the awkward moment of telling people NO when they ask to meet and pet your dog. 3. When leashed have your dog walking slightly behind you, yes I know this is a pain but if you practice and get into this habit it will no longer be a struggle. When you meet someone to chat with, have your dog sit, then slide your leg over so you are standing directly in front of your dog. This posture informs your dog that you are in charge of their safety, and they do not need to take care of you, or themselves and can relax. 4. Advocate for your dog, do not let someone convince you that they are good with dogs and they will be fine if they come forward to pet. Whether they are good with dogs is not the point, the point is to let your dog learn they can trust you to keep “threats” at bay. 5. It is hard for us as humans to say “no” when someone wants to pet our dog, so it would be wise for you to practice what you are going to say, have a pat answer that rolls off your tongue such as “No” I am sorry my pup is shy. There that wasn’t so hard now was it?

I have a trust pact with my shy dogs, they don’t have to meet people or be petted and they in turn are not allowed to growl, snarl, bark, lunge, or snap at anyone who approaches us. This is the kind of agreement that builds trust and respect with your dog, and deepens your bonds!

Whether your dog has become shy from our Covid conditions or they have always had a shy temperament, learning to show your dog that you have their safety well in hand will go a long way to curing the Covid Cringe….

Paula Bergeron and the gang at Good Dogma embrace a holistic approach to bringing balance to your dog’s behavioral issues. Exercise, training, relaxation, massage, grooming, play, socialization, and energy healing are incorporated into your dog’s routine. www.Goodogma.com