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.