A Heartfelt Guide for Living With Highly Sensitive Dogs

Source: Gilberto Reyes/Pexels.

Many dogs, more than most people realize, are highly sensitive sentient beings whose lives are filled with fear and anxiety. These individuals depend on their humans to have their best interests in mind, perhaps more than other, less stressed dogs.¹ These are among the many reasons why I found dog expert Ineke Vander Aa's new highly acclaimed book Dogsitivity: A Guide to Living with Highly Sensitive Dogs to be a very important and timely read.

Marc Bekoff: Why did you write Dogsitivity?

Ineke Vander Aa: Initially, I felt the need for a clear overview of what was known about high sensitivity as an innate temperament trait, both in humans and in dogs. As a highly sensitive dog therapist, I had noticed similar characteristics in dogs that sparked my curiosity. The combination of scientific insight and personal experience led to a more encompassing perspective on how we could improve the lives of dogs with respect to their sensitivities.

MB: How does your book relate to your background and general areas of interest?

IVA: As a special needs caregiver, I have worked with children and adults with intellectual disabilities. When working with non-human animals later in life, I recognized certain behavior patterns. As I stepped back and connected the dots, I was able to approach dogs from the perspective of their mental health, instead of merely focusing on obedience. You could say I was as bold as to lift the veil between species, to be able to truly learn about their individual yet canine needs.

MB: Who do you hope to reach?

IVA: Dogsitivity is written for people who live alongside dogs, as well as those who work with them as therapists or trainers. Even though the focus is drawn to highly sensitive dogs, the perspective offered in this book is an invitation to a more dog-friendly lifestyle for all dogs and their caregivers.

Source: Ineke Vander Aa/with permission.

MB: What are some of the topics you consider, and what are some of your major messages?

IVA: Dogsitivity offers insight into how high sensitivity influences the way a dog experiences life. These dogs not only process sensory input more deeply than average, but they are also more impacted by the moods of others and more intensely affected by their own emotional responses to their environment. On one hand, this can strengthen their awareness of what is going on around them and enable them to form deep connections. On the other hand, the brain is more prone to overstimulation, leading to a heightened sensitivity to stress and anxiety, and behavior often described as reactive or even aggressive. Understanding the nature of highly sensitive dogs highlights what they might need to nurture their emotional stability. From there, a lifestyle and environment can be offered that is more tailored to the dog’s strengths and vulnerabilities.

Additionally, a dog who is able to self-regulate might develop his own ways of thriving in an environment that can be challenging from time to time. As many dogs are discouraged to do so in natural, canine ways since puppyhood, Dogsitivity encourages readers to return some agency over mind, body and well-being back to the dog himself. As generations of dogs in our society have been forced into a state of co-dependency, our dogs may need our help to regain some form of emotional self-reliance. This seems to be a touchy subject for many caregivers, but Dogsitivity’s invitation is to face the limiting thoughts surrounding dogs we have been conditioned into, and explore the possibilities of development by meeting our canine friends where they are.

MB: How does your work differ from others that are concerned with some of the same general topics?

IVA: Readers have shared that they were able to particularly relate to Dogsitivity because I openly share my personal story in the most honest, authentic way I can. I suppose they often recognize themselves in the human story behind Dogsitivity, which allows them to face their own, most private thoughts about living with dogs in an empathic way. I’ve also received feedback about parents who used Dogsitivity’s insights in the way they approach their children, which illustrates that vague boundary between species when it comes to emotional health.

MB: Are you hopeful that as people learn more about how to live with and love highly sensitive dogs they will try harder to give them the best lives possible, even if it is challenging, and not surrender them?

IVA: Goodness, yes. Personal experience has taught me that life with highly sensitive family members can be challenging, regardless of that member’s species. As dogs are still more expected to conform and obey, the most sensitive individuals are often described as problematic and sadly, are often surrendered or euthanized. I cannot and will not stand by and watch those numbers rise.

As challenging as it can be, life alongside a highly sensitive dog is mostly an invitation to a richer quality of life. Their ability to draw us into the wonders of the present moment truly is an invitation to become more mindful of our own lives and the way we live them. The question is whether we are ready to allow our canine friends to lead the way to healthier, more meaningful dog-human relationships.