I Have a Highly Sensitive Dog

 It took me a while to realize that I did not have to fit into the check boxes that I felt I was supposed to be checking off. Many deemed her shy. We finally realized she was highly sensitive to energy, intentions, etc. We had to let her find her way with our support. We had a Highly Sensitive Dog (HSD).
 
One example of her sensitivity was unknown humans touching her. When someone asks if they can pet Audrey my response is always, it's up to her. I knew it was the energy of another or a situation that she was responding to.  Often, she offers me micro expressions to let me know if I can to touch her head or not.  Easy, if I am not focused on her, to miss.
 
Once I let go of the fact that she had to be one way or another, or released my expectations of who she was supposed to be, I started to let her find her way. In the instance of touch, she has found that lowering her head for another to stroke her on the shoulders is comfortable in her world. Then she will either bring her head up and allow the ear scritch or back away gently. She is finding her way with us by her side. She approaches more and more humans daily. She tells us what she wants and needs. Of course, she knows if we place her in front of us, sideways, she needs to accept touch. For vet, etc.
 
How can we define a Highly Sensitive Dog. I liken that to a Highly Sensitive Person. What does it mean? I can answer that as I believe I am one and many of my friends are. Like attracts like. Understanding attracts understanding.  Highly sensitive is defined as:  sensory processing sensitivity.  Highly Sensitive People (HSP) can be prone to anxiety as well as dogs. But being highly sensitive is different than anxiousness. Being anxious can be defined as: a combination of fear and stress. It is a normal, common emotion.  HSP can have anxiety but are not anxious all of the time.   Anxiety in dogs is a stress response and can take numerous forms.  This article contains signs of anxiety, etc.  (https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/treating-dog-anxiety/)

---

pc: @kcwynn

So, back to the Highly Sensitive Dog (HSD).  In this article (https://health.clevelandclinic.org/highly-sensitive-person/) being highly sensitive can be a reaction to physical, emotional or social situation. On both ends and throughout the continuum. At 2.5yrs old Audrey loves life and still plays like a puppy. She only has a  close ‘relationship’ with four people in this world. That is it. She can become easily overwhelmed. She tells us things before we know them. She knew the burner on the stove was going before it even went. 
 
Don’t get me wrong here. All dogs are highly sensitive in their own way in relation to human standards. And they smell/see and hear the world so differently than we do. Having a HSD encourages us to consider all of that and more.
~They have more than 100 million sensory receptor sites in the nasal cavity compared to 6 million in people, and the area of the canine brain devoted to analyzing odors is about 40 times larger than the comparable part of the human brain.  More on How Dogs Use Smell to Perceive The World HERE.
~Dogs have a wider field of vision and see very differently than we do. More on Through The Eyes of Your Dog HERE.
~Dogs have much more sensitive hearing than humans, hearing sounds four times farther away than we can. They can hear higher frequency sounds, can more easily differentiate sounds (e.g. they may recognize the sound of your car) and they can pinpoint the exact location of the sound. More on their hearing abilities HERE. 

I know when my neighbor is coming home by the change in bark of their dogs. And they are 100% of the time correct.
 
So, why is it that some dogs just walk up to other humans and some keep their distance for a while. Are they being shy? Perhaps. I think we need to consider that we might have a Highly Sensitive Dog.  Just like I don’t like to be in large crowds. Too much energy, too much stimulation for my senses. Perhaps the same for some of our dogs. Some breeds conceivably are apt to be more sensitive than others as well.

---

What have we done to help Audrey as an HSD?
~First, we recognized it and honoured it. It was difficult in the beginning. Like a child, society says there should be behaviours that all dogs should exhibit. Yes, some are important for cognitive, growth and behavioural markers. But some are just expectations of what should be. Just like in us humans. “Your too sensitive”. Ever hear that one? Many have. An expectation of how we should act in a certain situation. Those social norms of who my dog is supposed to be in society today. So, we let go of expectations and others judgment.
~We are very aware of the environment we are in. We know what she is sensitive towards and make sure we are aware of any situations that may arise.
~We remain calm so that she can come to us for stability when she needs it. She knows to either stand behind us or between our legs for security. And we make sure we always honour that. She knows to sit and calm down beside us as needed. We use the word calm in a long slow breath to help her. Teaching her ways to self-regulate her emotions. Bed, place, calm, rest, etc. All words we use with actions for her to take, to settle and stay calm, abating any anxiety before it becomes a concern.
~Both of our dogs have safe spaces in the home.  For Tiffany, it is her crate. We make sure it is secure and safe for her and never interrupt her time in there unless an emergency calls for it.  For Audrey, it is the bedroom. It is dark, calm and quiet. She goes there when she needs to and comes out when she is ready.
~As I mentioned at the beginning they know when they are positioned crossways in front of us that they need to accept touch. That we will keep them safe but that is The Zone.
 
To have an HSD is a gift.  Supporting them in their own individuality is key. As well as having ample patience. That is what has worked for us. And not putting a timeline on when that 'shyness' or sensitivity will go away. We don’t want it to. It is a wonderful trait. Audrey catches things long before we do. We trust her to show us the way. And she trusts us to keep her safe. And she loves life.
 
I tell those that we meet while out walking that if Miss Audrey accepts touch from them in her own special way, then they are a fortunate person.  I know I am a lucky person to have a Highly Sensitive Dog choose me to be their human. 
​
From our hearts to yours,  Lynda J Watson & Audrey (Silken Windhound)

---

Runway's Audrey Hepburn & Runway's Breakfast at Tiffany's / IG @silkenmodels_tiffany_audrey ~TikTok @silken_sisters