Dogs, like humans, can experience trauma and lasting negative effects from being physically struck or abused. Hitting a dog, even just once, can cause both short-term and long-term damage to the dog’s physical and psychological well-being.
What is trauma in dogs?
Trauma refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that leads to lasting psychological damage or harm. In dogs, trauma can be caused by any intensely physical or emotional event that the dog perceives as threatening, like being hit, kicked, yelled at, neglected, or abandoned.
Trauma can produce a range of effects in dogs such as:
- Fear and anxiety
- Aggression or defensiveness
- Depression and withdrawn behavior
- Compulsive behaviors
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Inability to be trained or socialized
These effects can last long after the initial traumatic incident occurred. Even a single instance of being hit can traumatize a dog when it violates their feeling of safety and security with their owner.
Short-term effects of hitting a dog
When a dog is hit or struck, several immediate, short-term effects are likely to occur:
- Fear: Being hit will make a dog intensely afraid of the person who hit them. They may cower, whimper, hide, or run away.
- Pain: Depending on how hard and where the dog was struck, hitting may cause mild to severe physical pain.
- Confusion: Most dogs will not understand why they were hit, and this confusion compounds their fear.
- Mistrust: Hitting a dog undermines their trust and confidence in their owner.
- Aggression: Some dogs may react defensively and snap or bite when hit.
In the immediate aftermath of being hit, the dog is likely to be in a state of stress, pain, and fear. They may have difficulty calming down or returning to normal behavior in the short term.
Long-term effects of physical abuse
Over the long term, ongoing physical abuse, even if occasional, can traumatize dogs and lead to more permanent behavioral and psychological damage. Dogs that are frequently hit or struck may develop:
- Fear of people: Dogs that are hit may grow fearful and mistrustful of some or all people.
- Aggression: Hitting a dog can cause them to become aggressive toward people and lash out defensively.
- Separation anxiety: Dogs that are physically punished may become extremely distressed when left alone.
- Depression: Some dogs become depressed, lethargic, or withdrawn as a result of repeated trauma.
- PTSD: Dogs, like humans, can develop PTSD after physical abuse. They remain persistently anxious and stressed.
- Compulsive behaviors: Traumatized dogs may compulsively lick, bite, or chase their own tail to soothe themselves.
The damage done depends on the intensity and frequency of the abuse. But even occasional physical punishment can erode a dog’s trust and cause lasting changes in their mental health.
The science behind canine trauma
Scientific research supports the fact that physically striking dogs causes them real emotional trauma and pain. Some key findings include:
- MRI scans show that dogs experience negative emotions like fear and anxiety much like humans do. These emotions are triggered by physical punishment.
- Blood studies indicate a major release of stress hormones like cortisol when dogs are hit or manhandled.
- The area of the dog’s brain linked to emotions (the limbic system) is very similar to a human’s. This explains why dogs feel trauma from abuse.
- Dogs that are physically punished show more behavioral and immune system changes compared to dogs trained with rewards and praise.
This evidence confirms that violence toward dogs is extremely psychologically damaging for them. The fallout of hitting a dog is much more than just temporary pain – it undermines their mental stability and well-being.
Better approaches to discipline
It’s understandable that owners may sometimes feel frustrated with their dog’s behavior. However, there are always better alternatives than hitting your dog if you want to correct unwanted actions. Some positive approaches include:
- Use rewards and treats to reinforce good behavior, rather than punishing bad behavior.
- Interrupt and redirect your dog’s attention if they are doing something undesirable.
- Use timeouts rather than physical punishment to discourage mild misbehavior.
- Train your dog what behaviors you expect from them using consistent, positive methods.
- Get professional advice from vets, trainers, or behaviorists for dealing with more difficult issues.
- Make sure your dog gets enough physical and mental exercise to prevent boredom and frustration.
While it requires more patience and effort, teaching your dog alternatives and rewarding them for making the right choice is far more humane and effective than hitting them.
Signs of trauma in dogs
If you suspect your dog may have trauma from being physically punished, watch for these common warning signs:
- Cowering, hiding, or trembling when people approach
- Aggression such as growling or snapping, especially when touched
- Urinating or defecating when left alone or being approached
- Chewing, licking, or chasing their tail obsessively
- Withdrawing from social interaction with people or other pets
- Refusing food, treats, or favorite activities
- Pacing, restlessness, or inability to settle
- Seeking comfort or safety in confined spaces
If you observe any combinations of these behaviors after hitting your dog, get help from a veterinary behaviorist. They can assess if your dog has trauma and give you expert advice tailored for your individual situation.
Treating trauma
The good news is that with time, patience, and the right treatment approaches, dogs can recover from the trauma of being physically punished or hit. Some helpful strategies include:
- Completely ceasing any physical punishment, while using only positive reinforcement training.
- Helping your dog slowly rebuild trust through daily care, exercise, play, and training.
- Keeping routines and environments consistent to promote security.
- Using calming aids like pheromones, music, massage to alleviate anxiety.
- Asking your vet about medication if your dog remains severely traumatized or stressed.
- Doing counterconditioning and desensitization training for fearful behaviors.
- Working with professional trainers or behaviorists for customized rehabilitation.
With time, understanding, and compassion, even dogs with severe trauma can recover and regain their happiness and confidence. But physical punishment must be avoided at all costs going forward.
Long-lasting impact
While dogs can recover from trauma, the impact of being physically hit or attacked can still cause lasting damage throughout their lives. Some long-term effects of canine trauma include:
- Being more easily startled, on edge, or reactive to perceived threats
- Struggling with anxiety in new environments or around unfamiliar people
- Potentially reacting more defensively or aggressively in response to perceived danger
- Having difficulty learning or being trained through traditional methods
- Suffering more severe stress during events like thunderstorms or fireworks
- Being overly wary, clingy, or needy of their owner for security
While their trauma may be managed, some dogs will remain permanently changed. Owners must be sensitive to triggers that may cause anxiety or fearful reactions even years later.
The takeaway
Hitting or physically striking dogs, even just once, can potentially cause significant trauma that leads to lasting behavioral and psychological damage. All dogs deserve to feel safe, secure, and free from harm in human homes. There are always kinder and more effective approaches to discipline than resorting to physical punishment.
Rather than reacting in anger, take a breath and reconsider how to communicate better with your dog. With time, positive training, and compassion, both you and your dog can learn to understand each other in healthier ways.