Dog Anxiety Problems Solved
How to reduce dog anxiety: Summary
- Dog anxiety, fears and phobias are common in our dogs but can be stressful for dogs and owners.
- Management of canine anxiety issues is important. Keep your dog away from potential stressful situations if possible.
- Long term solutions involve desensitising your dog to whatever they fear under controlled, positive, gradual situations. Medication may also help.
Causes of dog anxiety
There are many reasons that dogs may be fearful, anxious or even phobic:
Negative experiences may cause anxiety
Most puppies are willing to meet and greet new experiences with a wagging tail and innate curiosity. Occasionally, however, the experience turns out to be a negative one and your puppy may learn to fear that stimulus. Your dog ends up with anxiety. Socialisation is so important for puppies.
No experience may result in a fearful dog
Dogs may be fearful of experiences that they encounter for the first time. This is because they have had no previous experience of that particular situation. Fear builds into a dog anxiety problem.
Separation from social group
We humans are our pet dog’s companions. They fret when left alone and we call this separation anxiety. Dogs may attempt to escape, bark or be destructive around the house or garden.
Pain & illness may influence anxious behaviour
Pain or illness may cause stress. Stress, in turn, can lead to aggression.
Please proceed with caution, when your animal is stressed or in fear through pain, as a stressed dog may eventually bite. Have a vet check for your dog.
Understand the cause of your dog’s anxiety to find a solution. Read about how we suggest handling and solving your pet’s behaviour issue.
How to Reduce Dog Anxiety
Management of the dog anxiety problem
These may not solve the anxiety problem or phobia in the long term but they may help de-stress your dog…
Relocation of your dog
Relocating your dog to an area of your home where they avoid stress e.g into another room or a crate when visitors arrive.
Calming your dog
Lavender scents and playing classical/reggae music can reduce stress, by calming your dog.
Dog Anxiety Medication
If your dog’s life is severely compromised by anxiety, then consider veterinary medication. Just as humans need medication for psychological conditions, so too can our pets. Talk to your vet.
Solutions for dog anxiety, fears and phobias
Long-term solutions for the anxious dog involve de-sensitising the dog to the situations that they fear. This needs to be carried out gradually and very carefully. Here are some examples…
How to reduce dog anxiety in the dog that is afraid of thunder
Dogs need to be exposed to the sounds of thunderstorms, quietly at first, the gradually building up volume. Positive experiences such as dinner time or pats can create a positive association. More info at Noise phobias.
How to reduce dog anxiety in the dog that is afraid of other dogs
Dogs need to be gradually introduced to other dogs, with the handler rewarding them for being calm. This may start at a field length apart and/or with dogs that the fearful dog is more likely to accept. More info on dog aggression and understanding dog fights.
How to reduce dog anxiety in the dog that is afraid of people
Dogs need to be gradually introduced to people, starting with those they like or accept, then gradually moving to others, once the handler has learned how to train and reward their dog. It may help to use professional help to understand how to reduce dog anxiety.
Learning more about canine anxiety, fears and phobias
When you need to understand and solve your dog’s anxiety problems, read Dog Anxiety Problems Solved ebook. Dr Jo’s book gives suggested solutions to the anxious, fearful and phobic dog. This ebook is available on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions about anxious dog behaviour
Is my dog anxious because I have anxiety?
While your anxiety and your dog’s anxiousness are not related, one can influence the other. Try to remain calm around your dog and reinforce calm behaviour (in both of you!). If anxiety is a problem, seek help.
Is an anxious dog a dangerous dog?
An anxious dog would probably like to get away from the stressful situation but when they can’t, anxiety can quickly turn to aggression. They are trying to make the perceived threat back off. Try to keep your dog out of stressful situations and seek help to desensitise your dog.
My dog is scared of cats? Is this a problem?
You may be able to avoid cats and then this fear will not be an issue. If your dog is likely to have cats in their life, then it is worth desensitising your dog. Let them look at toy cats, smell items that cats have been near and so on. Keep it positive.
About the author: Dr Jo Righetti
Dr Jo Righetti is an animal behaviourist, helping people with pets. With a PhD in behaviour, a diploma in counselling and over 20 years experience in business Pet Problems Solved, Dr Jo understand pets and communicates here knowledge in a motivational manner.
Read more about Separation Anxiety in pets
Read more about thunderstorm fears in pets
Dog Anxiety Products
Many products are on the marketplace, claiming to reduce anxiety in our pets. Dog Anxiety products include dog anxiety beds, collars, scents and more.Some of these, including the Anxiety Wrap, have been reviewed on this website. Remember though that most products are simply a quick fix and are not tackling the underlying cause of the dog’s problem. These may be useful in providing a short-term management strategy but usually the problem will return or increase when the product is removed.
It is best to understand exactly what is causing your dog’s stress, fears or phobias and work towards gradually desensitising your dog to these – by gradual, positive exposure.
More anxiety articles (helping dogs and humans)
Pets can help your anxiety
5 Reasons why pets help with mental health sufferers
5 Reasons You Should Be Doing Yoga with Your Dog
Therapy dogs help students at schools and universities
How to keep your pets calm in stressful situations
Here’s an infographic on identifying stress in dogs…
We all want our dogs to be as calm and stress-free as possible but, sadly, many of our canine companions experience stress regularly. This infographic from Top Dog Tips will help you understand the signs of stress in your dog and how to help them…
Signs your dog is stressed and how to help them
Thanks to Top Dog Tips for this infographic.
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