Preventing Canine Cabin Fever

What is Canine Cabin Fever and Why Does it Happen?

What is canine cabin fever and what are the ways we can go about preventing canine cabin fever? Cabin fever occurs when your dog has built up mental and physical energy from being stuck inside too much . This can cause them to become “bad children”. They might lash out by destroying things, disobey you, and doing things they wouldn’t normally do.

Cabin fever can even result in your fur baby becoming depressed and not themselves. Cabin Fever is more common in the winter months. Winter months bring a drop in temperature, fewer daylight hours to go outside. As the saying goes; “happy dogs are tired dogs.”

Ways to Prevent and Treat Cabin Fever

Hot and Cold Game: this game uses verbal communication to help your dog find a hidden toy or treat. Hide a treat, make sure they don’t see where! Use verbal tones to communicate if your dog is hot or cold. Use a calm tone for colder if your dog moves further away from the treat. Incorporate a more excited, energetic tone for when they find themselves getting hotter. This game helps their listening skills and builds on your ability to communicate effectively with your dog.

Eye Hugs: This game teaches your dog to make eye contact with you, this improves your ability to get your dogs attention when they’re distracted. It also triggers a release of Oxytocin in both you and your dog. Oxytocin Is the hormone for attachment between a parent and their child. Which is where the name “eye hugs” comes from.

To do this put a treat up to your forehead or your eye and ask your dog to look at you. Gradually get rid of the treat until you’re using just hand signals and verbal commands to get your dog to look at you.

Along with these games you can always go on that walk or visit your local dog park, even when it’s been a long day and you don’t necessarily want to. On these walks be sure to routinely switch up the location offering new sights, and smells for your dog.

Dog Daycare

Bringing your dog to daycare is perhaps the best thing to do if your four-legged loved one has cabin fever like symptoms. Daycare allows them to spend all day in a new environment as opposed to being home alone while you’re at work.

Daycare allows them to socialize with new dogs and humans. At Unleashed your dog will have the ability exercise in whichever way they choose. Our pool and grass area allow for running with plenty of extra play room. If they’re fans of the water your dog has the opportunity to play and swim in the pool (a great, low impact/ resistance form of exercise.) Best of all they come home TIRED and ready to wind down for the rest of the evening, SERIOUSLY!