Thank you to our partners for providing this post.
Dogs are a lot like humans in many regards. We may look completely different (and have different mannerisms) but we both can suffer from anxiety. It’s arguably more prevalent in our furry friends as one bad experience is enough to make a dog anxious forever. Nobody wants to see their dog suffering so let’s look at some ways you can help your dog cope with their anxiety and help them live a long healthy life.
Try to determine the cause
Figure out why your dog suffers from anxiety. What’s causing it? More often than not, it stems from a bad experience the dog had at some point. Keep an eye on your furry pal and see when they’re at their most anxious – common instances include:
- Being around other dogs
- Going to the vet
- Having a bath
- Being around lots of people
Working out the cause helps you come up with a long-term solution and aids with the next tip!
Use behavioral training techniques
You can use different behavioral training techniques to slowly cure your dog of anxiety – or at least make it easier for them to deal with anxiety-inducing situations. The two techniques you should try are:
- Desensitization – This is where you slowly expose your dog to the cause of their anxiety. Reward them for remaining calm and gradually build up their tolerance to the situation.
- Counter-Conditioning – With this technique, you use positive experiences to counter the anxiety. For instance, if your dog always gets anxious when having a bath, you pair bath time with treats. The dog then becomes conditioned to expect treats at bath time, so it becomes a happier place for them!
Play around with either of these behavioral training techniques for dogs and see if they change the way your puppy behaves. This is often the best long-term fix as they become accustomed to what makes them anxious, slowly learning that it’s not as bad as they thought.
Give them a herbal supplement
For short-term fixes, while you work on behavioral training, consider natural herbal supplements. Look for items like calming chews for dogs with a bit of CBD in them. They act like little treats for your furry friend to munch on, but they also soothe them and help them feel calmer. Giving them these supplements before they’re about to do something that triggers their anxiety can be beneficial. For example, you give them a herbal supplement before going to the vet so they’re not as anxious. They then have a better experience and start learning it’s not so bad at all!
Seek professional help
Last of all, you should consider professional help for very anxious dogs. If you adopt or rescue an anxious puppy, the chances are they’ll stay this way for life unless they get serious help. The same is true for a dog that’s been through a traumatic experience. Thankfully, some levels of pet insurance will cover trips to specialists, so it doesn’t have to be as costly as you think. Professionals know how to handle anxious dogs and will train them better than you, so think of this as a last-ditch option.
Hopefully, these tips will help your dog cope with anxiety. Anything can make a dog anxious, but just like humans, they can learn to overcome these triggers.
Disclaimer- Nothing contained in articles and or content is or should be considered, or used as a substitute for, veterinary medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information provided on the website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for professional advice from a veterinarian or other professional. Articles are designed to educate consumers on veterinary health care and medical issues that may affect their pet’s or animal’s daily lives.
Leave a Reply