Dogs and Anxiety: How Lava, Hela and Lajka React to Everything
Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two crossbreed dogs, Lava and Hela.
Having three dogs with totally different personalities is quite fun. It’s interesting to observe each one’s reaction to a common event, such as visitors, or a more uncommon and stressful one like sudden thunderstorms. And it’s also peculiar that with the three of them spending all of their time together, they don’t seem to be picking up on each other’s confidence when dealing with certain phobias. You would think that one of them being calm and composed would reassure the others, but I have not noticed this so far. And of course, there’s always that one dog unfazed by everything.
Lava the Fearless
Lava is my favorite, in all honesty. I’ve had her the longest and she is such a character. Stubborn, independent, sweet, and persuasive, but also a menace at times. It’s impossible not to love her. And she is also one of the most fearless dogs I’ve ever had. Nothing phases her. She can sit outside in the heavy rain, with thunder and lightning, and not seem bothered at all. I am the one who rushes her inside hoping to keep her safe and dry. One would say fearless, but I can’t help to wonder if it’s just a pure lack of common sense with her.
However, it does make me feel content knowing she isn’t scared and can endure the worst of thunderstorms while cozily sleeping on the sofa. But one thing she did teach the other two dogs, and I wish she hadn’t, is barking at the visitors. As we live rurally and rarely see any cars coming up, every guest is special and deserves a loud welcome. And the dogs do their best to express their hospitality during such exciting times. Luckily, there are no neighbors to complain about the noise.
