Get Dr. Dressler's Dog Cancer Diet FREE I have been writing about stress, depression and dog cancer in the last 2 posts. Â The points were made that depression and stress in dogs are real phenomena, and that these must be addressed in dealing with dog cancer.
How??
One effective way is by building healthy self-esteem. Â This is a sure-fire way to combat depression. Â How do you do it in dogs? Â It is actually really easy. Â Just have them do something that is a tiny bit challenging, then praise them like crazy. Â
Most dogs can do something. Â It can be as simple as sitting, or coming when commanded. Â Some dogs are clever or athletic, and can shake, stay, roll, play dead, speak, heel, fetch, commando-crawl, jump, and more. Even a dog who is incapacitated physically can be prompted to “speak”, roll to show the belly, or look up when spoken to.
Every time you interact with your dog, encourage him or her to accomplish a task.  Try to do it before giving free praise.  Just like in humans, a feeling of accomplishment is key in building self esteem and combatting depression.  And the thing that feels really good to them is the big, huge love shower you give them, after they did something they can be proud of.  The love shower is so much more meaningful when they accomplish something.
Many times we will just give praise to our dogs when we want them to feel good, or when they come up to use for affection, or we missed them, or whenever. Â In actuality, this does not accomplish much except to make us, the dog lovers, feel good. Â The praise we give our dogs does nothing to build self-confidence. Â It is like those kids who have always gotten whatever they wanted, just for being kids. Â They turn out lacking self esteem, and can be moody, irritable, and later in life, depression-prone.
Remember, depression stimulates the excessive release of chemicals in the body like epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol. Â The net effect of these signals is to literally stimulate cancer cell growth directly. Â They also suppress the activity of cancer-fighting white blood cells in dogs’ bodies like Natural Killer cells and cytotoxic T cells. Â Â This is bad stuff!!
So, get started today! Â Fight cancer with self-esteem!
Best to all,
Dr Dressler
About the Author
Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM is known as the "dog cancer vet" and is author of Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Beyond Surgery, Chemotherapy & Radiation. Visit his blog and sign up free to get the latest information about canine cancer. Go to http://DogCancerBlog.com.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow,what a refreshing website.A vet who actually opens his mind instead of handing out the same old advice and treatment.I own a canine hydrotherapy and swimming pool in England and we believe in keeping an open mind on natural treatment for the dogs we see.Swimming is a fantastic way of building your dogs self esteem.Often dogs we see have never swam before and we work slowly with them building their confidence and showering them with praise as they move through each stage of learning.The release of endorphins gives a natural anti-depressent effect and owners often report a transformation not just physically but emotionally too.
Sadly more dogs these days seem to be diagnosed with cancer and as your research into dog foods have proved this may well be why.I have for many years given EPA capsules to my dog along with co-enzyme q10 ,vitamin c and e and large amounts of ester c for hip dysplasia he is now 13 years old and I hope will continue to do well.
A few days ago a client of mine, who through personal reasons, had failed to bring her 6 year old labrador swimming for over a year phoned to tell me he had mouth cancer.She immediately wanted to make an appointment for him because he loved swimming so much .I will be passing the information i have gleened from your website with a recommendation that she purchase your book.Please keep up the great work-wish you were in England.. Julie.
I think the work you do is fabulous. Good point on the swimming!
Dr D