Sarah Boland, Vet from Clane in Co Kildare, joined Today with Claire Byrne to discuss to take care of your pets when they're frustrated, and what signs you should look out for. Listen back above.
Frustration is much more common in dogs than you might expect, and knowing the signs to watch out for can help you better care for your dog, especially during the hot months of summer or cold nights of winter.
"It's something that we've seen more often recently with the increase in pet ownership and first-time pet ownership during the Covid period", Boland said, adding that she sees many animals coming in with behavioural issues that she said largely stem from frustration.
"It's one of those topics that when we speak to owners about it, they didn't realise it was something they had to consider with their pets, and because of that it's something they don't want to recognise until it becomes an unwanted behaviour like growling or destroying furniture."
She said making changes can help stop frustration coming out in these behaviours.
As for what to look out for, she said "the most common things would be pacing, barking, always seeking attention, pawing or mouthing at their owners".
Walking and playing with your dog is an important part of keeping them entertained and happy, but Boland noted that dogs are much like their owners: they need mental stimulation.
"It's becoming more common to own intelligent dogs", she said, pointing to cockapoos that are bred from cocker spaniels and poodles, both working dogs and so very intelligent.
It doesn't have to be complicated, she added, but said that studies suggest 20 minutes a day of mental stimulation – mostly your own attention and interaction – for dogs.
Throughout the day, dogs can be given their breakfast on a slow feeder to make them work for the food and make it into an activity. Durable rubber toys, such as Kong toys, that you can put a treat into are ideal too, provided you get the right size for your dog.
Scent classes are another option. Dogs love to sniff things out, and Boland said this can be used to give them a mental workout. "You can start off simply by rather than handing them the treat when they do something good, you can drop it on the ground and say 'find' or 'search', and they will locate it quite easily."
This will teach them the trigger word for finding, and then owners can get more elaborate by playing hide and seek with the treat.
For more tips on soothing your dog's frustration, listen back above.
