According to the World Health Organization, in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25 percent. Social isolation and the constraints it imposed on people’s ability to work, receive support from loved ones, and engage with their communities created unprecedented stress and loneliness.
It’s no wonder that pet adoptions surged during the coronavirus pandemic. A survey of 1,000 Americans conducted by Rover in January 2021 found that nearly half reported getting a new dog during the pandemic. In the UK, figures from a survey by the Waltham Foundation showed that 60 percent of the respondents said that their pet helped them maintain a regular routine, and 43 percent credited their new pet with reducing their anxiety.
These figures should hardly be surprising. Studies have consistently shown that dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression; ease loneliness, encourage exercise, and improve your overall health. Simply playing with a dog has been shown to raise levels of the feel-good brain chemicals oxytocin and dopamine, creating positive feelings and bonding for both the person and their pet.
The advantages of engaging in play with dogs go beyond enjoyment and connection. Play is also widely recognised as an effective and enjoyable method in dog training, not only strengthening the bond between owner and dog but also providing an opportunity to reinforce positive behaviour and teach new commands. Many modern dog training methods incorporate play as a valuable tool for motivation and communication.
Absolute Dogs, an online dog training company based in the United Kingdom, has become known in the industry not just for its training resources, but as a holistic approach that positively influences mental well-being, fosters a supportive community, and promotes personal growth. The company gained attention during the pandemic for its “Sexier Than A Squirrel Challenge”, a 25-day homeschool challenge aimed at helping owners enjoy time with their dogs while adhering to social distancing and lockdown restrictions at the time.
Recently, Absolute Dogs spoke with three individuals who successfully completed its Pro Dog Trainer signature yearly program and subsequently launched their own dog training businesses.
They delved into the significance of fostering mental health and explored how dog ownership and training can play a pivotal role in providing that support, and below we highlight some of their key findings on the subject.
Socialising and forming communities
The pandemic highlighted just how important socialisation is to humanity. Spending time with our loved ones is certainly important, the smaller, day-to-day interactions with people in the community are also meaningful. Taking the time to engage in conversations with community members can foster feelings of connection and togetherness.
When having a dog, there’s a high likelihood of running into other pups and owners while walking or visiting the dog park. These moments present the perfect opportunity to strike up a conversation with someone new, as there’s already a shared interest.
Debbie, an Absolute Dogs customer from Florida who began training dogs post-retirement, shared that having a dog and acquiring knowledge in dog training has boosted her confidence, enabling her to engage in conversations with others, share her knowledge, and get to know the people who live nearby.
“I don’t take a lot of clients, but I do occasionally take a few people to help.I love helping them or going out in the neighbourhood, and I’ll suggest thing to people. I never would’ve gone up to somebody or offered things before. But the confidence that I’ve gained has really helped in that situation,” Debbie said.
Indeed, as one ages, maintaining a social network and forging new friendships can become increasingly challenging. Dogs provide older adults with an accessible means to socialise and stay connected. Debbie also spoke on Absolute Dogs’ training programs and how they have given her a new community.
“We have learned from each other, and I have made so many friends, they’ve become like family. There’s a core group of people that I’ve met up in England that I just love to hang out with, and it’s just been a wonderful experience,” Debbie said.
Kylee, another customer and trainer from Australia, spoke to how the Absolute Dogs community has become a supportive space for dog training and emotional well-being.
It was just last week that I actually went through a really hard time and went into a fairly dark place that if it wasn’t for that community, I probably would probably still be struggling to get out of that spot. So their love and their support and everything, that’s huge, that community,” Kylee said.
A sense of purpose
Regardless of how one may feel upon waking up in the morning, a dog relies on its owner to take care of them. The effort required for caring for a dog every day—ensuring they’re well-fed, have gotten enough exercise, are happy, and healthy—compels one to be responsible and imparts a sense of being needed and wanted. This feeling of self-worth goes hand-in-hand with a higher self-esteem.
Jen, a dog trainer and Absolute Dog graduate from Virginia, said that working with dogs has transformed how she engages with the world.
“If you’re going to be busy all the time doing something, it should be something you love and something that’s meaningful. When I see the changes that happen with the relationships between my clients and their dogs—they come to me struggling. People don’t come to you because their dog is amazing. They come because they’re at their wit’s end and they don’t know what else to do. We’re able to shift things so quickly and so beautifully, and then they have hope,” Jen said.
Looking at a dog’s carefree and non-judgemental attitude toward life can also inspire their owners to a more open and accepting approach to life. They can teach us all valuable lessons about living in the moment and embracing joy. Debbie spoke about how learning to communicate with her dogs has helped her let go of perfectionism.
“That was always something for me. I was always afraid I’d fail, so I wouldn’t try it. But you just have to believe in yourself. Just keep going and just remember, not that perfection isn’t realistic, it just isn’t. And just be open to suggestions. And the biggest thing is [to] have fun with your dog. Just have fun because it will all come back to you in a positive way, and your life and your day is just happier because of it,” Debbie said.
It is believed that early humans tamed wolves and eventually bred them to create the first domesticated dogs. They quickly became an essential part of human life, serving as guards, hunting companions, and a source of comfort and warmth. Today, they are our companions, protectors, and best friends.
With this increased role in human life comes an increased responsibility for responsible pet ownership, including proper training, care, and attention. In return, dogs can contribute to some of the deepest aspects of mental health: helping us to form communities, find purpose, and feel a little lighter in life.
