Scout hates Penn State football

It’s time for the return of college football. That makes Scout a bit nervous and unhappy.

For many dogs, the start of football season means some changes at home. Family members who have been active outside for the summer suddenly spend all day in the recliner in front of the screen. Friends and family may come over to watch, too. They may bring food and drinks. The crowd may get rowdy.

Scout’s normally not-scary dad becomes very tense, and sometimes yells at the television. The three other dogs in the house don’t seem to mind the noise. The beagles really enjoy the extra snacks that come out for football games, since they know someone will decide to share. Stoli will have a toy in his mouth, and probably take a nap.

(Stoli’s anxiety comes out with thunder storms. Scout doesn’t mind thunderstorms at all.)

Why the disdain for Penn State Football in particular? At our house, any other game can be on the television, and Scout will curl up on a dog bed, right in front of the speakers. If it’s the Nittany Lions, she will either hide, pant, try to climb on mom’s lap, or some combination of these moves. She has been found in the back of a closet, and even in a cabinet during Penn State games before we found a solution for her PSU anxiety.

Even the Super Bowl doesn’t elicit this response. It’s not the sound of the crowd, the announcers, or the room with the tv. It’s only these noises when combined with the PSU jersey, and intense fanaticism of dad.

Is your dog one to get nervous with the increased commotion of company?

This may be a good time to board the dog or sign up for daycare if the game will be over early enough, and if you have a DDD (Designated Dog Driver).  If your dog can be trusted alone, you could move the party to another house. Locking your dog in a crate or bedroom until the game is over is another good idea.

If locking up your dog at home, consider turning on the radio and a fan to drown out the noise from the game room. Provide a puzzle toy or bone to keep your dog occupied and to provide an outlet for energy.

In addition to keeping them safely away from the commotion, you should also address the emotions of your dog.

CBD products are now readily available. Scout gets one and a half Suzie’s CBD Treats https://www.suziespettreats.com/ prior to the start of the game. Since we added this to the routine, she no longer hides. She does still pant a little, but it’s so much better that before.

Now that we provide her with a way to lessen the anxiety, even Scout can tolerate the Penn State cheer:

WE ARE!

 

-Rayne