Dog Depression

This medicine is free and has only positive side effects. How long it lasts, depends on the patient, but extra doses do no harm whatsoever. What is it?

I remember when I was a kid, literally dragging my feet into the kitchen (where my mother spent most of her waking hours). My head would be hanging low when I said, "Mom, I'm depressed."

I used to get mad at her reply but it always, always worked. My Mama would say, "Get out! Get out of this house and get some fresh air. Walk, run, skate or ride a bike, but you are not allowed back in this house for at least 30 minutes!"

I'd drag myself out the door wishing I hadn't told her, but it worked every time.

Now many years later, with grown kids myself, I see the same attitude in the dogs on occassion. The prescription for dog depression and canine anxiety is exercise! A drug may be easier, but it has side effects and doesn't get to the root of the problem.

Let's look at canine depression and anxiety with a common sense approach. What does your dog have to live for? You coming home from work? A meal? Those are great but there must be more.

In the old days, dogs had a job. Whether they helped hunt and put dinner on the table, worked on the farm, hunted rodents, watched after the kids or kept their owners aware of strangers approaching, they were busy. They were moving. They certainly weren't cooped up in the house or the yard all day; or worse yet, all their life.

It's great we have them to hug and to keep us company, but they need more. They need purpose. For some ideas of where to start, read Dogs Exercise.

By the way, if you get down in the dumps, and there's no time for exercise, stare up at the sky with a silly grin on your face for one minute. I dare you to be depressed while you do that!

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