Is is true that a dog can reduce our stress?

Discussion in 'Animals & Pets' started by Annelle Bissette, Jun 28, 2018.

  1. Annelle Bissette

    Annelle Bissette Active Member

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    I've been hearing that dog can reduce our stress. Is it true? I want to adopt one. My brother used to tell me that and I don't believe it. My mom feels lonely and depressed and I want her to surprise with a dog she likes. But, will dog already help or I need to bring her for consultation?
     
  2. Kode

    Kode Well-Known Member

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    The most important consideration is for the dog: is it loved and cared for properly? Is it a breed that is high energy like an Australian Cattle Dog that needs regular and intense exercise, or is it a couch potato like a Havanese?

    I volunteer at a Humane Society and we get lots and lots of dogs that were given as gifts but weren't wanted, and they usually come to us in pretty bad emotional state. A dog should be seen as a family member. They share the full range of emotions with us. They can experience everything from joy and love to depression and anxiety. And when they experience mostly negative emotions, they become problems, just like people do.

    Yes, a dog can greatly reduce stress and loneliness and despair. But it must be wanted for it to work as a family member. If your mom doesn't want a dog, maybe you or someone who visits her often can own a dog and bring it to her to visit. That would help too. Get help choosing one that is a good match.
     
  3. modernpaladin

    modernpaladin Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Dogs are emotionally codependent. They're good companions for people who are also emotionally codependent, who require regular bonding. They are not good pets. Dogs need a purpose to be happy. That purpose can be as an emotional codependent, as long as the emotional bonding is regular, but as an autonomous centerpeice in a residence, a pet, they are left unfulfilled and will act out as they seek to define their own purpose (which most often manifests as a partial return to their wild nature).

    Cats are good pets because they're independent and require little if any bonding. Cats are not very good companions because their ability to bond at all is extremely limited (most of the time- there are exceptions).
     
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2018
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  4. BleedingHeadKen

    BleedingHeadKen Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Pets can. I'm not a dog person, so I don't find them to help me with stress. I love birds, especially parrots, and just having them hang out with me is calming and relaxing.

    You might try a foster dog with your mother. If it doesn't work, the foster agency will take the dog to another home. If it does work, she can adopt.
     
  5. Annelle Bissette

    Annelle Bissette Active Member

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    Okay, thanks for your concern and information about caring for dogs and how they can serve as good companion to anyone. Perhaps, I'll consider adopting a dog for my mom and at the same time bring her for behavioral therapy or counseling. I found out through a friend that it can make my mom feel better too.
     
  6. cerberus

    cerberus Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    And you can have a conversation with a parrot whereas a dog you can't. :blankstare:
     
  7. cerberus

    cerberus Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Is she fit enough to take it out for regular exercise, and to bend down to pick up its faeces? That's all part of owning a dog?
     
  8. Infrared

    Infrared Newly Registered

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    My stress is reduced just by looking at my dogs.
     
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  9. yiostheoy

    yiostheoy Well-Known Member

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    Any pet will make you feel better and less stressed --

    1 - cat

    2 - dog

    3 - bird

    4 - rabbit

    5 - fish

    6 - hamster
     
  10. yiostheoy

    yiostheoy Well-Known Member

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    For my it is my kitty.
     
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  11. yiostheoy

    yiostheoy Well-Known Member

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    You still need to pick an avatar to go with your moniker.

    Don't forget.
     
  12. CKW

    CKW Well-Known Member

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    I would not assume a dog will automatically reduce stress. Taking care of animal, and dealing with potential issues is a huge responsiblity and can increase stress. Instead of surprising your mother , let her contemplate the idea, and if she's open to it, allow her to get excited about it, let her choose the breed that is best fit for Her..

    Dogs and cats are nice to come home to providing they haven't shredded your couch.

    And taking care of an animal is a "good" stress that can help someone push out of the doldrums.

    But a dog is a responsibility. An all inclusive beach side vacation is a stress reliever.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2018
  13. BleedingHeadKen

    BleedingHeadKen Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    True, though my wife's dog is very talkative. If you speak to him in a gruff voice he really gets into it.
     
  14. Capt Nice

    Capt Nice Well-Known Member

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    Any domesticated animal will relieve stress; cat, chicken, dog, bird, pig and I'm sure there are others I've overlooked. Just touching, petting any animal will bring a soothing feel to a person. Is your mom able to handle the responsibilities of a dog - taking for a walk in the rain/snow?
     
  15. Kode

    Kode Well-Known Member

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    Many people are benefitted by engaging their nurturing instinct in caring for a pet.
     
  16. reallybigjohnson

    reallybigjohnson Banned

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    Dogs require much more maintenance and work than cats. I change the litter every two days and drop some food and water twice a day but everything else from snuggle time to cuddle time (yes there is a difference) is up to Chloe. Some days she won't leave me alone and other days she just wants to sleep on my bed all day.

    Dogs on the other hand are ALWAYS on and they never stop. Way to much energy in the room for me.
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2018
  17. Liberty Monkey

    Liberty Monkey Well-Known Member

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    Adopt a rescue doggy if you get one, yes they really do help with depression but yes you have to walk them 3 times a day.
     
  18. Annelle Bissette

    Annelle Bissette Active Member

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    Thanks for reminding. I love it!
     
  19. yiostheoy

    yiostheoy Well-Known Member

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    Very nice avatar !!
     
  20. Annelle Bissette

    Annelle Bissette Active Member

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    Hi, I'm glad that you like it:) Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2018
  21. yiostheoy

    yiostheoy Well-Known Member

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    It is a beautiful avatar which seems to be a morph of a lady and a cat.

    Very nice.
     
  22. HereWeGoAgain

    HereWeGoAgain Banned

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    http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Can+dogs+reduce+stress
     
  23. cerberus

    cerberus Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    It always amuses me when Americans call to their cats (for example in movies) they say 'Here, kitty-kitty.'
     
  24. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Dogs absolutely can relieve stress and anxiety. A retired Veteran friend of mine got a Labrador. It's a yellow lab. The dog can sense when he's having horrible anxiety and comforts him. He talks about it non stop. Getting kind of annoying
     
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  25. Kode

    Kode Well-Known Member

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    What do you say?
     

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