By Kait Myers-Brooks, NCC, LPC
Adora and I enjoying the mental health benefits of walking outdoors together
Why are we talking about human neurodiversity on an animal blog?
As a licensed professional counselor who has served Autistic and ADHD clients for the last ten years, a lived experience disability advocate myself, and a human being who happens to have a lifelong passion for all things dog, I am often curious about ways to help build even greater accessibility and acceptance in the already welcoming and supportive Pittsburgh dog
community.
I am admittedly still a novice when it comes to the canine brain, only having the
opportunity to rescue my first pup (a brilliant and loving but anxious Miniature Poodle and
American Eskimo Dog mix) in the last year. But in learning how to apply my “book knowledge”
about dog training and care to real life scenarios with my dog, I have also been grateful for the opportunity to explore the ways in which neurodiversity could be a valuable lens for dog
professionals and caregivers alike.
Neurodiversity was first defined in the 1990s by sociologist Judy Singer as, “... the virtually
infinite neuro-cognitive variability within Earth’s human population. [Neurodiversity] points to the fact that every human has a unique nervous system with a unique combination of abilities and needs.” Given that all canine caregivers are part of that infinite variability of human minds, it stands to reason that we can best support our dogs by remaining curious about the diversity of approaches to learning and engaging with canine care. If every person’s brain is a bit different, with unique ways of thinking and processing information that impact how they experience the world, then of course it’s also going to impact the best strategies and approaches for how they train and care for their pup!
This can be particularly important for neurodivergent people, or individuals who have “a mind
that functions in ways which diverge significantly from the dominant societal standards of
‘normal’” as defined by Nick Walker, in her book Neuroqueer Heresies. This term applies to both individuals who were born with a neurodivergent mind (ex. Autistic people, ADHDers, and people with learning disabilities) as well as individuals who experienced something over the course of their life that impacted how their mind works (ex. people living with depression, anxiety, or PTSD).
While there is currently a great deal of research and writing available about the benefits of dogs in the lives of neurodivergent people (ex. creaturing structure and stability in one’s day to day schedule, providing companionship, and inspiring more time exercising outdoors) there is less out there to guide neurodivergent dog professionals and guardians on ways to adapt their approach to training and caring for their dogs, or for neurotypical (individuals whose minds function in societally ‘normative’ ways) dog professionals to best work with and support neurodivergent clients in their efforts to learn about best practices for raising their dogs!
The challenge: a lot of dog training and care recommendations are NOT designed for neurodivergent people.
Unfortunately, much of the current language used around dog training and care is designed for neurotypical dog guardians. This can contribute to a greater sense of shame if a neurodivergent handler simply can’t engage in care or training in quite the same way as a neurotypical handler might. I have also heard feedback repeatedly from neurodivergent friends and clients, that they are afraid to talk about their mental health being negatively impacted by their initial adjustment to their dog, as they are often met with criticism that they should “just remember that the dog is having a more difficult time than they are” or that they “shouldn’t have brought a dog into their family to begin with” if they are having a emotional reaction to the drastic change in their life that a dog can bring.
The truth is: dog care can be intensely stressful! The “Puppy Blues” are real, let alone “Rescue Blues” which are less talked about: health issues, unexpected bills, reactivity that shows up after the dog has decompressed enough to express herself more openly... the list goes on. There are also many sensory aspects of dog care that can initially be difficult if not creatively addressed, and quite a few new responsibilities that any dog guardian has to juggle alongside prior day to day requirements.
What could it look like if rather than expecting every person to approach canine care in the
same way, we approached learning about building relationships with our dogs with compassion, curiosity, and creativity for both the pups and their people? How could this help us all to be better caregivers for our dogs?
Strategies for Neurodiversity Affirming Canine Care
While the following list is far from exhaustive, I wanted to offer a few ideas I’ve found from other neurodivergent trainers and handlers, as well as things I’ve utilized myself, to offer some
concrete ideas for what Neurodiversity Affirming Canine Care could look like.
Adora enjoys a yak cheese chew to help her settle down, while I also take a breather on the
couch with a snack.
Coping with a major life transition:
Whether you’ve brought home a puppy from an ethical breeder, or adopted a ten year old mixed breed from your local shelter, your world is about to change drastically. Try not to shame yourself and offer empathy to clients for very normal anxiety, stress, sleep disturbance, or self-doubt that may arise during this transitional period:
- Maintain aspects of your prior schedule to the best of your ability, to create regular touchstones throughout the day
- Make sure you continue to meet your basic needs, and link it to dog-specific tasks if you need to (ex. Fill your dogs waterbowl? Pour yourself a glass of water! Make your dog a tasty lickimat? Grab a snack to refuel yourself too!)
- Make preparations in advance if you know your form of neurodivergence is one where
transitions are particularly hard, taking time off work if possible or establishing support
for other tasks that require energy. I have had clients set up meal trains (https://www.mealtrain.com/) during their first week coping with a puppy, where friends
drop off meals so they don’t have to cook: and that’s 100% okay if you need it!
- Acknowledge your own reduced capacity while functioning on limited sleep and ask for help when you need it.
- Take breaks! Your dog needs to sleep upwards of 16 hours a day, and puppies require even more. Give them space to do so, and take a nap or enjoy a restorative activity yourself while they bridge the gap between their sleep needs and your (hopefully!) 7-8 hours of snoozing!
Sensory Sensitivity:
Many neurodivergent people experience greater sensitivity to specific sounds, textures, smells, sights, and tastes. Dogs will bring new “sensory experiences” into your life, for sure! Many of these sounds and smells are important for their communication or basic biological needs, but we can both respect their needs and make adaptations to make it easier for us to meet them where they are, and not be stressed by their natural way of being.
- Sound Sensitivity: Use noise-reducing ear plugs (I prefer Loops) to help take the edge off your experience of loud barking, or try shorter sessions with your dog if working on reactive sounds to keep your own stress level down.
- Smell Sensitivity: Cleaning up after your dog is going to be stinky, but there are scented
waste bags that can mask the odor (I like Earth Rated’s Lavender scented bags for this reason) and also small containers you can clip to your belt or treat pouch to place the poop bag in so you don’t have to keep holding it directly. If your dog uses the yard to relieve himself, you might also invest in a “Pooper Scooper” tool to avoid having to touch it during clean up. There are even poop scoop companies who will clean your yard for you if it's an option financially.
- Texture Sensitivity: This issue often seems to be most impactful around grooming. If you
have significant sensitivity to touch, do individual research and talk with a breeder or trainer to learn about a future dog’s coat care requirements. A shorter haired dog who is not going to need to be regularly bathed may be a better bet if you struggle with wet sensations. You might also consider wearing gloves or a rain coat while washing your dog – again, there is no moral issue to wearing a slicker while you give your dog a bath! If it helps you meet their cleanliness needs with less stress, you will both be better off for doing it, even if you initially feel a bit silly.
Adora is clearly quite proud of her handiwork with a snuffle ball and multi-layered shredding
game. She napped for an hour after completing this, and I got a much needed nap too!
Mood fluctuations and emotional regulation:
Some forms of neurodivergence involve changes in mood, energy, and emotional regulation.
Whether this is a seasonal experience, impacted by stress, or related to hormonal considerations, there are ways that you can care for yourself and your pup on days when you
are experiencing difficulty:
- When you are dealing with depressive symptoms or generally feeling lower energy, shift physical engagement with your pup to a focus on indoor enrichment. Try something like scent work, “find it” with kibble, or use treat puzzles and snuffle mats. I particularly like to save a puzzle or two that is less frequently used for these difficult days, so that it’s more novel (and thus more exciting!) for your pup.
- If it’s an option financially, hire a dog walker or ask a trusted friend to give you a break on
difficult days by taking your dog for a walk.
- Remember that it’s okay to step away from your dog while you’re at home for a bit, you can both benefit from down time. (One caveat: if your dog is dealing with separation anxiety, please reach out to a qualified SA trainer to assist with ideas for balancing your needs and your dog's progress.)
- Reserve a local Sniffspot, particularly one that is fully fenced, so your dog can have fun
off leash with less energy needed from you in a new place with new things to sniff and
explore. Invite a friend and their dog that your dog has an established relationship with if
appropriate!
- Perhaps most importantly: frequently remind yourself that now is not forever – your dog will be okay with a period of lower intensity mental enrichment while you are having a difficult time, and will be ready to pick up again with training and more collaborative physical exercise when you are. Pushing yourself while you’re not doing well isn’t going to benefit either of you, and there are many options to make sure your dog is still living a fulfilling life while you focus on recovery.
- If you’re feeling stressed, take more frequent breaks on your walks to sit and breathe
together (this can offer great “settle” practice for your pup too!) OR avoid walks entirely.
There are other ways to make sure your dog gets outdoor enrichment and exercise that
aren’t the intense gauntlet of neighborhood walks.
Adora and I taking a moment to settle ourselves after a stressful moment on our walk. Because we took a break, we both were better equipped to genuinely enjoy the rest of our outing.
Executive functioning:
Quite a few neurodivergent people experience challenges with executive functioning, the mental process that guides problem solving, goal structuring, motivation, time management and more. While there are many aspects of canine care and training that we have to keep track of on a daily basis, which can often feel overwhelming, there are plenty of strategies to navigate them successfully:
- If motivation to work on training is difficult to build, start with easier attention-building activities like “Stuff a Pup” or games you and your pup find particularly fun in order to build momentum and motivation for more challenging or less interesting training, like settling or relaxation practice.
- Body doubling with another dog guardian can be a fantastic way to practice. This can be in person, but you can also set up a video call. Begin by sharing your intention for the training session, then turn off your sound and work with your respective pups for the agreed upon time. Check in at the end and congratulate each other on what you achieved!
- Break down goals into smaller pieces – ask a certified dog training professional for assistance on smaller games that can build up to the more complex skill.
- Utilize alarms on your phone, spreadsheets, or any other physical or digital tool that helps with memory.
- Struggling to remember specific care needs? I highly recommend task linking, or pairing something you need to do for your dog with something you would regularly do anyway (ex. Pair brewing your morning coffee with giving your pup her morning supplements!)
Coffee for me, supplements for Adora, and an Adora-themed mug just because!
Communication Needs:
When seeking professional support for you and your dog, remember that it is okay to talk up front about what you need as a neurodivergent dog guardian. You may benefit from specifically seeking out trainers who include an accommodations section on their website and/or “Contact Us” forms:
A few questions you might consider asking a dog professional in advance:
- Are they open to putting homework in writing if you struggle with memory or auditory processing?
- If you benefit from repetition to better process information, will they be open to you repeating what you heard to make sure you understand?
- Do they offer individual sessions if group classes are too overwhelming for you, for any
reason?
- What sensory accommodations are available (i.e. lower lighting during individual lessons, support for wearing a mask, options for you to step out of the classroom for you and your dog to take a break as needed, etc.)
Last but not least: Find a therapist or coach!
I have started to discover that there are other counselors and coaches out there who love helping dog guardians and trainers improve their own mental health and wellbeing in tandem with helping their pups live their best lives! It is very, very normal to have emotional reactions to adding a new life into your family, or to struggle with the impact of a dog’s reactivity, separation anxiety, or aggression. You deserve a space where you can talk openly about these difficulties without fear or judgment, both for yourself and for the best possible relationship with your dog.
Even if it’s not frequently discussed, there are many dog professionals and guardians
who are neurodivergent: let’s increase the ways we support each other and talk about
both the joys and the challenges of canine care honestly, so that we can bring our
healthiest selves to support our pups!
Want to learn more? Check out the following resources:
Handlers and Humans - Jess Adam is a coach and guardian of a reactive dog herself who
offers person-centered approaches to dog training and dog care. She has amazing trainings
available and also can provide one-to-one coaching services.
Working with Neurodivergent Humans: Designing Affirming Services - August Stockwell,
PhD. offers this training for animal professionals through the Karen Pryor Academy to build
understanding about the neurodivergent experiences and best practices to provide dog training that is affirming:
designing-affirming-services-august-stockwell-phd-da2971
3 Tips for Staying Consistent with Your Dog’s Training When You Have ADHD - This is a
great article by Em Fitzpatrick, VSA-CDT & FFCT, another individual with both professional
experience and lived experience of neurodivergence
n-you-have-adhd
Grooming Tips and Tricks For Neurodivergent Dog Guardians - Blythe Bouchard (Neer) CDBC, CPDT-KA, CSAT, CCUI, CNWI, FFCT, Puppy Start Right Instructor offers some great ideas for breaking down the important care skills of grooming for individuals with sensory and executive functioning concerns.
Grisha Stewart’s Empowered Animals! Dog Pro Directory - This directory of dog professionals includes a filter for pros who specialize in working with neurodivergent clients or who are neurodivergent themselves.
Comments