How Past Canine Trauma Affects Your Emotions

Repeated exposure to traumatic canine interactions, such as deaths or injuries, can lead to long-lasting emotional and psychological effects, including diminished emotional regulation when encountering fictional representations of dogs on television. This phenomenon is rooted in the principles of emotional conditioning and trauma response, where the initial distress associated with real-life events becomes generalized and triggered by similar stimuli, even if they are fictional. Neurobiologically, such repeated stress can alter brain regions involved in emotion regulation, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, reducing an individual's capacity to manage feelings effectively. Consequently, watching fictional dog-related content may evoke intense emotional reactions akin to those experienced during actual traumatic incidents, thereby impairing the person's ability to regulate their feelings, even in the absence of real-world canine interactions.

Repeated exposure to traumatic canine interactions, such as witnessing deaths or injuries of dogs, can lead to profound and long-lasting emotional and psychological effects. These experiences can significantly diminish an individual’s emotional regulation, particularly when they encounter fictional representations of dogs on television or in other media. This phenomenon is not merely an isolated reaction; it is deeply rooted in the principles of emotional conditioning and trauma response, where the initial distress associated with real-life traumatic events becomes generalized and can be triggered by similar stimuli, regardless of their fictional nature.

When an individual experiences a traumatic event involving a dog, such as a severe injury or death, their brain encodes this experience in a way that associates the emotional pain with the presence of dogs, whether real or imagined. This process is known as emotional conditioning, where the emotional response to the trauma becomes intertwined with any subsequent encounters with dogs or dog-related imagery. In the text The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel van der Kolk emphasizes that trauma profoundly alters brain pathway patterns, particularly affecting the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, which are crucial for emotion regulation, memory, and self-control. Trauma reinforces hyperactive fear and threat responses in the amygdala, while impairing the hippocampus' ability to distinguish past from present, leading to intrusive memories. Simultaneously, trauma weakens the prefrontal cortex's capacity to regulate these responses, resulting in heightened emotional reactivity and difficulty in managing stress. Van der Kolk highlights that these reinforced neural pathways can trap individuals in cycles of distress, but that therapies targeting neuroplasticity—such as EMDR, mindfulness, and body-based approaches—can help rewire these patterns, fostering healing and resilience. As a result, even when viewing a fictional portrayal of a dog, the individual may experience a resurgence of the intense emotions they felt during the original traumatic event. This can manifest as anxiety, fear, or sadness, which may be disproportionate to the context of the fictional representation, highlighting the power of conditioned emotional responses.

Neurobiologically, the impact of such repeated stress on the brain can lead to significant alterations in regions that are crucial for emotion regulation. Key areas like the amygdala, which is responsible for processing emotions and fear responses, and the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision-making and emotional control, can be affected by the stress associated with trauma. Over time, chronic exposure to stress can result in a heightened sensitivity in the amygdala and diminished functionality in the prefrontal cortex, thereby reducing an individual's capacity to manage their feelings effectively. This neurobiological shift can create a cycle where the individual becomes increasingly reactive to emotional stimuli related to dogs, even in benign or fictional contexts.

Consequently, when someone who has experienced trauma related to dogs, watches fictional content that features dogs, they may find themselves overwhelmed by intense emotional reactions that mirror those experienced during their actual traumatic incidents. This can lead to a range of difficulties, including heightened anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and an inability to engage with the content in a healthy manner. The emotional turmoil may not only affect their viewing experience but also spill over into their daily lives, impacting their relationships and overall mental health.

As dog owners and breeders, we have had -beyond- our fair share of traumatic experiences with our dogs. We do not blame our dogs for these events, but we carry the scars and the emotional burden resulting from them forever. Many of the events we have experienced impact our daily lives, and honestly we have been burnt out by them in the past. Our families, friends, and therapeutic team members have all worked to help us not overcome, but learn to exist, with these traumas and feelings. Nevertheless, unexpected events, moments, or memories can trigger a surge of emotions, resulting in tearful episodes and feelings of panic.

When I suddenly find myself way too emotionally involved in a program, whether it be a television show, a movie, or even a video game, I often experience a flood of emotions that can be overwhelming. These moments can trigger intense feelings, sometimes bringing back vivid flashbacks of previous events in my life that I thought I had managed to put behind me. It’s as if the lines between fiction and reality begin to blur, and I find myself grappling with a sense of nostalgia or regret that I hadn’t anticipated.

In these instances, I have developed a strategy to cope with the emotional turmoil that arises. First and foremost, I recognize the importance of physically distancing myself from the source of my emotional distress. I often take a moment to step away from the screen or the situation that is causing these feelings to surface. This physical separation is crucial as it provides me with the necessary space to gather my thoughts and regain my composure.

Once I have distanced myself, I focus on my breathing. I take deep, deliberate breaths, inhaling slowly through my nose and exhaling gently through my mouth. This practice helps to ground me and brings a sense of calm amid the emotional chaos. As I breathe, I consciously remind myself of certain affirmations that help to reassure me during these turbulent moments. I tell myself that I am not at fault for the emotions I am experiencing, that nothing could have been done to change the past events that are resurfacing in my mind, and most importantly, that what I am watching or experiencing is not real. It is a narrative crafted for entertainment, and while it may evoke strong feelings, it ultimately does not reflect my reality.

However, I must admit that this coping mechanism does not always yield the desired results. There are times when the emotional weight feels too heavy, and despite my efforts to reassure myself, the feelings persist. The memories can be stubborn, clinging to the edges of my consciousness, making it difficult to shake off the emotional involvement. During these moments, I find it essential to acknowledge my feelings rather than suppress them entirely. Accepting that it is okay to feel deeply about certain narratives or events can sometimes allow me to process the emotions more effectively.

Consequently, I tend to steer clear of potential triggers like *A Dog's Purpose* or *Marley and Me*, as I believe they might activate my neurological responses. Today, I was caught off guard by what I assumed was a safe show, *Highway to Heaven*. However, it unexpectedly included an episode where not only is there concern for the safety and well-being of two dogs, but ultimately, those fears are realized.

Although the event wasn't particularly graphic, I still had to step away to cry, which worried the two dogs I had with me. They came over to comfort me and check on me. Meanwhile, part of my mind was insisting, "it's not real!" while the other part was recalling similar events or imagining times when this could have happened to my own dogs.

There are some events we have experienced that we will never recover from, moments that etch themselves into the fabric of our being, leaving indelible marks that shape our thoughts, emotions, and actions for years, if not a lifetime. These experiences can vary widely in nature—ranging from profound personal losses, such as the passing of a loved one, to traumatic occurrences that alter our perspective on life itself. They often come uninvited, crashing into our lives like a storm, leaving us to pick up the pieces in the aftermath. The scars they leave are not always visible, but they can be felt deeply within our hearts and minds, manifesting in ways that affect our relationships, our sense of self, and our ability to engage with the world around us.

On the other hand, there are events that, while I may logically understand and know it makes sense to accept them, still bear a weight on my conscience and soul. These are the instances where reason and emotion collide, creating a complex tapestry of feelings that is difficult to unravel. For example, I might comprehend the necessity of a difficult decision that was made for quality of life, yet the emotional ramifications of that decision linger like a shadow. It’s as if my mind acknowledges the rationale behind the actions taken, but my heart struggles to forgive or forget the pain that those actions inflicted on myself or others.

The cognitive dissonance between understanding and feeling can be particularly challenging to navigate. I might find myself grappling with guilt, remorse, or sadness, even when I know that certain events were unavoidable or justified. This internal conflict can lead to sleepless nights filled with reflection and questioning, as I ponder the "what ifs" and "if onlys" that haunt my thoughts. The weight of these events can manifest in various ways—through anxiety, depression, or a pervasive sense of loss that colours my daily interactions and experiences.

Ultimately, the interplay of these events—those we cannot recover from and those we understand yet still feel deeply—shapes our journey through life. Each experience adds a layer to our character, influencing how we relate to others and perceive the world. It is through processing these complex emotions that we may find a path toward healing, albeit a path that is often winding and fraught with obstacles. In the end, it is the resilience of the human spirit that allows us to confront these burdens, seeking solace and understanding as we navigate the intricate landscape of our emotional lives.

In summary, the intricate interplay between traumatic experiences with dogs and subsequent emotional responses to fictional representations highlights the complexities of trauma and emotional conditioning. It underscores the importance of understanding how deeply ingrained emotional responses can be triggered by seemingly innocuous stimuli, ultimately affecting an individual's emotional well-being and their ability to regulate feelings in various contexts. We know that the dog community understands our trauma, and they too have experienced it; we just hope we can all grow past it and the shadows it casts.