Emotional Thermodynamics – Exploring Stress and Energy in Dogs
Thermodynamics may sound complicated. However, it is the study of something logical. It involves the movement of energy, the pursuit of equilibrium, and the ability to transform. The fact that these theories are applicable to jet engines, nuclear power plants, and dogs is pretty cool.
Basic theorems of thermodynamics explained
Thermodynamics can be summarized by a few fundamental principles. Without getting too scientific, let's touch on a couple of main principles.
The first one states that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it only changes from one form to another, such as from motion to heat.
The second principle states that energy in a closed system (like an animal or a pressure cooker) cannot decrease, it can only strive for equilibrium.
The principles of psychodynamics and their importance
Ernst Brück, a physicist and psychologist, coined the term psychodynamics. He believed that psychological processes could also be explained using thermodynamics. Sigmund Freud agreed and argued that thermodynamics illuminates how psychic energy, without a suitable outlet, finds alternative paths that can become unhealthy; neurotic, antisocial, or psychotic outlets. Since energy cannot be destroyed, it transforms into another form.
Another researcher, Helen Dunbar, added an emotional perspective and established that emotions like desire, fear, stress, and anger increase blood flow, leading to heat generation in the body.
Consequences of an overloaded system for dogs
This science explains why a dog that is frequently stressed without an outlet can be compared to a pressure cooker without a pressure release valve, with its temperature rising. An overloaded system without an outlet becomes problematic, as Freud stated.
- Explosive if you consider the pressure cooker.
- Reactive if you consider a dog.
A dog trained using punishment becomes stressed, and if the stress doesn't find an outlet, it usually transforms into fear or aggression. Other researchers have shown that flow maintains balance in a system. For example, a dog triggered to chase, herd, fight, or flee. Action-specific energy is generated, and if the dog doesn't get to act outwardly, the same dilemma arises.
The imbalance can manifest explicitly or silently, but regardless, the energy needs somewhere to go if the dog is to maintain psychological balance.
Different ways dogs cope with stress and discharge
The outcome depends on the dog, the environment, and the availability of outlets. Some dogs turn inward, becoming:
- Anti-social
- Phobic
- Compulsively licking their paws
- Yawning excessively
- adopting a stiff posture, etc.
Learned helplessness, resulting from, for example, overexposure-based training, represents an extreme case of a locked system where outlets and emotional release have been hindered.
Internally, an unsustainable and unhealthy chaos prevails. Other dogs explode like a pressure cooker, barking, biting, making outbursts. Essentially, the same thing is happening; it's just that the outlet is different.
If the outlet is redirected, a dog may be perceived as irrational, but it simply directs its intention toward a different stimulus. For example, a dog left alone despite separation anxiety, and on the first walk thereafter, makes an outburst towards a child. Or a dog that cannot reach the approaching dog to bite and instead turns around and bites its owner's leg.
Therefore, emotional releases are a solution to pent-up anger, frustration, and fear. And flow is the path to psychological balance.
The importance of flow for dogs' mental health
Flow... In a dog?
In a water-based system, the purpose of flow is easy to see. Imagine having a clog in your kitchen sink. The system becomes dysfunctional, and over time, it breaks. Disposing of insoluble waste and pouring grease-dissolving agents down the drain ensures a good flow.
In a dog, flow often involves movements that are instinctive and natural for the species. Movements that are part of the everyday life of wild dogs:
- Running
- Jumping
- Balancing
- Chasing
- Tearing down
- Biting
- Pulling
- Gnawing
- Licking
- Stretching
If a dog is allowed to engage in such activities, explosively and in balance, emotional flow is maintained, and the need for emotional releases decreases. Unfortunately, a dog's everyday life in a human world can be stressful. Therefore, it's good to let dogs release tension after stress-inducing situations and engage in movements that promote flow. Passivity is great, but sometimes a dog needs to blow off some steam to avoid exploding.
Practical examples of relaxation exercises for dogs
- Running
- Wrestling and shaking
- Jumping
- Barking
- Pulling down
- Chasing
- Gathering in a small area and then leaping
- Gnawing
Definitions of key terms in dog behavior
ENERGY:
A physical quantity that describes something with the potential to cause movement.
STRESS:
Mental or emotional strain resulting from challenging circumstances. Stress doesn't have to be, but can be, overwhelming.
LEARNED HELPLESSNESS:
A psychological state resulting from having lost control over what happens. Learned helplessness after trauma can be generalized, and the individual believes they cannot influence anything in life.
OVEREXPOSURE:
The dog is exposed to something it finds unpleasant to a high degree and for such a long time that the dog is forced to give up. The result is often learned helplessness.
PUNISHMENT-BASED TRAINING:
Something unpleasant is applied when the dog displays an undesirable behavior.
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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