From Frazzled to Zen: Helping Your Anxious Pup Find Peace

If you’re a dog owner struggling with your pet’s anxious behaviour, you're not alone. Many dog owners face this challenge, and it can be difficult to know how to help your furry friend. Anxiety in dogs can manifest in various ways, from excessive barking and destructive behaviour to trembling and hiding. It can also impact your dog's physical and emotional well-being and strain your relationship with them. In this article, we'll explore the causes of anxiety in dogs, its impact, and effective strategies for helping your furry friend manage their anxiety. Whether you're a first-time dog owner or an experienced one, you'll gain valuable insights into supporting your dog's emotional well-being and improving your relationship with them.

Understanding Anxiety in Dogs

Anxiety in dogs is a common occurrence that can result from a variety of factors, including genetics, early life experiences, and environmental variables. Anxiety can be a state of heightened worry, stress, or fear that can cause your dog to feel agitated, nervous, or afraid. We also use the word anxiety to describe behaviours that arise from conflicting emotions and motivations, such as the desire to approach a person or object, while feeling unsure or hesitant at the same time.

Dogs may exhibit anxious behaviours, such as pacing, whining, or panting, when they want to greet someone, but also feel unsure about how that person will react. Alternatively, they may want to chase after a squirrel in the park, but also want to stay by your side.

As a dog owner, it's important to recognise that anxiety can manifest in different ways and isn't always related to fear. To alleviate your dog’s anxious behaviour it’s essential to understand the cause so that the solutions are effective.

Physical and behavioural signs of anxiety

Anxiety in dogs can be difficult to spot as it can manifest in different ways depending on the individual dog and the cause of their anxiety. However, owners who come to me are often seeing (and hearing) obvious signs like shaking or trembling, excessive panting or drooling, pacing, barking, running away, hiding, or even diarrhoea. Or more subtle indications might have been noticed and your dog’s anxiety is causing practical issues at home. In extreme cases dogs can chew through doors or smash windows in their attempts to escape something that frightens them!

Examining types of anxiety and their causes

There are several ways to categorise anxious behaviour in dogs such as using labels like separation anxiety, social anxiety, noise phobias, and specific phobias. Anxieties can have different causes, including genetics, early life experiences, and exposure to stressful or traumatic events. Understanding the specific context, emotion and motivation behind your dog’s behaviour is key to developing a successful treatment plan. I use the psychobiological approach to understanding your dog's anxiety because it is very effective in finding solutions. This approach to canine behaviour recognises that a dog is influenced by their genetics, physiology, and environment. It emphasises understanding the underlying causes of behavioural issues in order to create efficient treatment plans, taking into account the role of the nervous system and neurotransmitters in influencing behaviour.

Here are some potential factors that may contribute to anxiety in dogs:

Genetics

Just like humans, dogs can be predisposed to certain behaviours and traits based on their genetics. Some dog breeds may be more prone to anxiety than others. Dogs who thrive on human companionship can be especially distressed when they’re left alone. However, it's important to note that genetics alone cannot fully explain a dog's anxiety, and environmental factors also play a significant role.

In utero and rearing environment

Your dog’s breeder plays an important role in their future, even before birth. The stress levels and diet of the mother dog impact the development of her puppies. The experiences your dog had as a puppy with the care given by mum, the interactions with siblings, other dogs, humans and the physical environment before 8 weeks old played a big role in developing their nervous system and therefore how they react to the world.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors, such as living in a chaotic or stressful household, can also contribute to anxiety in dogs. Dogs may feel anxious or overwhelmed if they are not provided with a safe and secure environment, or if they are exposed to loud noises, unfamiliar people or animals, or other stressful stimuli.

Unpleasant Experiences and Traumas

Past experiences or traumas, such as abuse or neglect, can also contribute to anxiety in dogs. Dogs who have experienced traumatic events may be more likely to develop anxiety or other behavioural issues, such as aggression or fear.

By identifying the underlying causes of your dog's anxiety, you can begin to develop strategies for managing it. Working with a professional behaviourist like me can help you determine the best course of action for your individual dog. With patience, consistency, and the right approach, you can help your anxious dog feel more comfortable and confident in their environment.

Understanding the Impact of anxiety on Your Companion

As a loving pet owner, you want your dog to be happy, healthy, and well-behaved. But when your dog experiences anxiety, it can have a significant impact on their behaviour, physical health, and emotional well-being. Let's take a closer look at how anxiety can affect your furry friend:

Effects on Behaviour and Training

Dogs with anxiety may exhibit behaviours that are difficult to manage, such as destructive chewing, excessive barking, or aggression towards people or other animals. These behaviours can be frustrating and may make it challenging to train and socialise your dog, which can impact your relationship with your pet. When dogs are stressed, just as with humans, their ability to learn is reduced and they can’t listen or process commands as easily as when they’re calm. This is why it’s essential that the professional you’re working with knows how to set up the learning environment in a way that maximises your dog’s comfort so that your dog can make the most of the training session.

Physical and Emotional Impact on Dogs

Long-lasting anxiety can also take a toll on your dog's physical and emotional health. Dogs who struggle with anxiety may experience digestive issues like diarrhoea, or may have trouble sleeping or eating. Conversely, physical health can cause anxious behaviour. This is why I only work by veterinary referral and in close contact with your vet, because it is impossible to separate physical wellness from emotional and psychological wellness.

Negative Effects on the Relationship Between You and Your Dog

When your dog is anxious, it can strain your relationship with them. Other clients express that they are fed up, frustrated or impatient with their dog's behaviour. This can make it harder for you to bond with your pet and may worsen their anxiety.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help manage your dog's anxiety. Working with a professional behaviourist like me can help you develop effective strategies for managing your dog's anxiety and improving their overall quality of life. Remember, you're not alone in this - many pet owners struggle with anxiety in their dogs, and there is help available.

How to Support Your Anxious Dog

As a caring pet owner, you want to do everything you can to help your dog feel calm and comfortable. Fortunately, there are many effective strategies for managing anxiety in dogs. Here are some approaches you might consider:

Behaviour modification and training strategies

A qualified behaviourist, like me, can help you develop tailored strategies for modifying your dog's behaviour and helping them feel more confident and relaxed. Methods might include desensitisation and counter-conditioning, which involve gradually exposing your dog to the things that trigger their anxiety and helping them associate those things with positive experiences. This is a skilled process that can be difficult for a non-professional to design and set up. Training can be a helpful tool for managing anxiety in dogs, as it can give them a sense of structure and predictability. Consider enrolling your dog in a positive reinforcement-based training class or try 121 sessions with a qualified professional.

Medication and supplements

In some cases, medication or supplements may be prescribed by your vet to help your dog manage their anxiety. Always talk to your vet before trying over the-counter supplements that can be a waste of money or even dangerous!

Environmental modifications

Making changes to your dog's environment can also help reduce their anxiety. This might include providing a safe, cosy den for your dog to retreat to and creating a consistent routine.

Home remedies and calming techniques

There are also many simple things you can do at home to help your dog feel more relaxed. For example, playing calming music, giving your dog a massage, or providing a favourite toy or treat can all help soothe an anxious dog.

Calming pheromones: Pheromone products such as Adaptil sprays and diffusers, can help to reduce anxiety in dogs by mimicking the natural pheromones that a mother dog produces to calm her puppies. These products can be especially helpful for dogs who experience separation anxiety or fear of loud noises.

Exercise: Regular exercise can help to reduce anxiety in dogs by releasing feel-good chemicals called endorphins. Exercise can also help to reduce stress and provide a healthy outlet for excess energy. Try taking your dog for a daily walk or engaging in other forms of physical activity.

Environmental changes: Simple changes to your dog's environment can help to reduce anxiety. For example, providing a comfortable bed or crate can give your dog a safe place to retreat to when they feel anxious. Playing calming music or using white noise can also help to create a soothing environment.

Social support. If your dog is anxious, help them feel better by talking to them gently, petting them if they want to be touched, behaving like the trusted “adult in the room,” and kindly prompting them to take action that will improve their situation, like moving away from the stimulus that concerns them. I find that owners have often been misinformed that they shouldn’t “reinforce fear” - but the fact is that emotions cannot be reinforced! Don’t be concerned that reassuring your dog will increase their anxiety: If your dog feels bad, helping them feel better is the kind and sensible thing to do.

Managing anxiety in dogs is often a layered process that requires patience, persistence, and professional guidance. A canine behaviour expert can help you create a plan that increases your dog’s sense of comfort and reduces the behaviour that makes life difficult. Dealing with an anxious dog can be challenging, but working through the problem can be very rewarding and is also an opportunity to deepen the relationship between you and your dog.

Don't Let Anxiety Take Over Your Dog's Life - Seek Professional Help

Many owners who’ve come to me, tried a variety of methods first, in an attempt to make their dog feel better. They often report that nothing worked! The difference you’ll experience by engaging a professional service like mine is that I’ll accurately diagnose the root cause of the issue before producing a personalised strategy that is specifically designed for your dog and your family. This means that the techniques are far more likely to be effective and efficient for your dog.

Remember, seeking professional help is a proactive step that can make a big difference in helping your dog feel more calm and comfortable. If you're struggling with your dog's anxiety, consider booking an assessment with me or another suitably trained professional.