How to Help Your Anxious Dog

Like humans, some dogs are more prone to anxiety, and as much as your dog’s anxiety affects you,  it’s also very difficult for your dog. Anxiety can cause behavioural problems and other issues so it’s best to do all you can to help your pet cope with the situations that cause anxiety.

What causes anxiety in dogs? The most common causes are separation, fear, and even ageing.

Separation anxiety occurs in about every 1 in 10 dogs and happens when owners leave him alone or are separated from him. These dogs may destroy furniture, bark, or even urinate or defecate in the house.

Fear-related anxiety can be caused by loud noises like thunder or fireworks or new situations, like meeting new people.

You may be surprised to learn that older dogs can experience anxiety even though it never affected them before. Like humans, if your dog’s memory or awareness declines, he may become confused and that can lead to anxiety in senior dogs.

So how can you know if your dog experiences anxiety? Here are some behaviours to watch out for:

• Aggression
• Urinating or defecating in the house
• Drooling and panting
• Excessive barking
• Pacing

 

Now that you’ve confirmed that your dog has anxiety issues, how you can help him avoid the stress that comes with it?

• Start by talking to your vet. They can help you determine if the anxiety is situational, if it’s a chronic issue, or related to a medical condition.
• Try additional training.  This can be a time-consuming proposition, but if you can invest the time in counter-conditioning or desensitization, it could be a good solution. Counter-conditioning is a method that helps to change your dog’s response by teaching him a desirable behaviour to replace the bad behaviour. Desensitizing refers to purposely introducing the source of the anxiety to your dog in short and small doses with the hope of making the situation normal.
• Medication is an option but should only be used based on your vet’s advice.
• In recent years, natural therapies and supplements have begun appearing on the market. CBD oil appears to work for some dogs, while diffusers and aromatherapy are also an option.

 

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Finally, remember that prevention, if possible, might be the best medicine.

• When getting a new puppy, be sure to properly socialize him. Introduce him to new people, places, animals and experiences so that he can gain that confidence and trust while still young.
• Try obedience training
• Be sure to give your dog lots of exercise
• Watch your dog’s body language and if you see the warning signs, try to remove him from the situation.  If your dog exhibits aggression, be sure to use leashes, harnesses or muzzles to ensure everyone’s safety.