Amazon’s Super Bowl Commercial Is a Good Example of How Not To Approach Our Dogs’ Behavior Issues 

For those who have been one of many 100 million or so who sat down Sunday to look at Tremendous Bowl LVII, you seen a pair of dog-focused commercials. 

The first, from The Farmer’s Dog, was so candy it threw my coronary heart right into a woodchipper. However then got here the second ad, courtesy of Amazon. It implied a disappointing message: Getting a second canine can repair your first canine’s habits issues. 

“PSA: Don’t be fooled by the [Amazon] canine industrial,” Diamond’s Associates Pet Rescue wrote on Instagram. “Getting a second canine will not be the answer to fixing behavioral points like separation anxiousness.”   

In truth, including one other canine might double the destruction. As an alternative, this fictional household ought to’ve spent their money and time ensuring their first canine was mentally and bodily wholesome. Then they might determine whether or not one other canine is a good suggestion.

The primary third of the 90-second industrial contains a household and their canine originally of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like numerous us three years in the past, they’re all working and studying from house, fortunately spending all their time with the canine. However then it is time to return to the workplace and college. As they head out the door, the household’s dad tells the canine, “We’ll be again quickly. Be a great boy.” 

That does not occur. After some forlorn gazes out the window, the canine will get harmful, breaking a lamp, strewing trash all over the place, shredding garments and furnishings, and chewing the distant. He ignores his mother on the deal with dispenser, and the struggling household appears to ostracize him. (The 4 people standing collectively, arms crossed and looking at him from a distance is especially dangerous.)   

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However then we see the people gathering round a laptop computer. They’re shopping for a heavy-duty kennel from Amazon—however not for his or her canine. The kennel arrives, and the household opens it to disclose a second canine. The 2 pups provide one another some introductory sniffs, and the industrial ends with the 2 of them napping along with one of many children. 

So let’s get into why that was decidedly not nice.   

When he is left alone, the canine within the industrial appears to be displaying indicators of separation anxiousness, boredom, or despair, in accordance with Jenna Stregowski, RVT and Each day Paws’ pet well being and habits editor. His ordinary routine together with his homebound household has been upended, and he lacks the cognitive potential to know and adapt to the change, she says. 

(Additionally, canine do not communicate or perceive conversational English, so his dad telling him to be good whereas they’re gone does exactly nothing.)  

“He is simply discovering his personal coping mechanisms,” Stregowski says. “For canine, chewing and ‘destroying’ issues are enriching and entertaining. He does not give it some thought as destruction—it is an exercise to alleviate his undesirable feelings and launch pent-up power.” 

So what are you able to do to forestall such a habits? 

• Get assist: An authorized coach or a pet habits skilled would be the finest useful resource to assist your canine really feel relaxed after they’re house alone. 
• Make a plan: Work out the place to place your canine if you depart, be sure that they’ve stuff to do, and determine whether or not it is advisable to rent any assist. We also have a template for that. 
• Observe the plan: The household within the industrial did not put together their canine for his or her new routine in any respect, and also you need to keep away from that mistake. Attempt leaving for transient durations every day to see how they deal with it, making your absences last more every day so your canine will get used to it.  
• Put on them out: Earlier than you permit for the day, play fetch within the yard or head out for a stroll. Hopefully, your canine will probably be too drained to trigger mayhem. If they’ve extra power or you are going to be out of the home greater than eight hours, think about hiring a canine walker or pet sitter.  
• Depart them one thing to do: This could be a KONG stuffed with peanut butter or one other interactive toy. Hopefully, getting the treats and goodies will probably be extra fulfilling than ruining your own home. 
• Canine-proof the pup’s area: Closed doorways and higher canine gates might’ve prevented a lot of the Amazon canine’s destruction. Ensure that your canine has entry to what they want, however in any other case shut off different components of the home. It is also a good suggestion to coach your canine to get comfy with a crate in case it is advisable to maintain them there if you’re gone.

Lastly, be sure you speak along with your veterinarian in case your canine is destroying issues or peeing or pooping inside whilst you’re gone. You will need to rule out any medical issues.     

It is an unwise choice as a result of the primary canine’s psychological well being is in a foul place, Stregowski says. A brand new canine could be a fabulous addition to many households, however the Amazon household most likely would’ve ended up with two canine with habits points. 

Why? Stregowski has a couple of causes. The second canine may copy the unique canine’s habits. Or the brand new canine may detect the opposite canine’s stress, making the second canine burdened as nicely. Then there’s an apparent one: This household did not present sufficient enrichment for one canine, not to mention two.

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Relatively than deal with a second canine as a “repair,” households ought to think about whether or not they can present for one more pet. Stregowski listed a number of inquiries to ponder: 

• Is your canine bodily and mentally prepared for one more pet in the home? 
• Does your canine get together with different canine? 
• Are you able to dedicate the time and assets to caring for this new pet? Are you ready to alter your day by day life to look after the brand new addition? 
• Will you be sure that to introduce them accurately? The Amazon household rushed into introductions, which might have led to a dogfight.

Most significantly: Will your life and each canine’ lives enhance beneath your stewardship? If sure to all these questions, it is best to begin searching for adoptable pups and discover your canine a brand new finest pal. Depart habits points to the professionals.