How to Calm Dog Anxiety
In some instances, anxiety can be a very serious issue for your dog and for you. Pets with separation anxiety can do serious harm to themselves and serious damage to your property in the wrong set of circumstances. For these pets, help from competent professionals---a veterinarian, animal behaviorist and/or skilled trainer---is absolutely necessary. However, there are other dogs that have only mild anxiety and who just need their guardians to understand their feelings and how to react effectively when they are stressed. There are several steps you can take to calm your dog's anxiety.
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Things You'll Need
- Leash
- Dog crate (optional)
- Peppermint oil (optional)
- Bach's Rescue Remedy (optional)
Instructions
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Exercise, exercise, exercise. Lots of physical activity is the best way to reduce anxiety in canines. If your dog is prone to anxiety, take your pet for at least a half-hour walk in the morning and at least a half-hour walk in the evening. If there's any possible way to schedule it, a third walk at mid-day would do wonders. An old dog-training adage is, "A tired dog is a happy dog." This is especially true for a pet that tends to grow anxious.
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Take your dog to obedience school or work with your pet on developing these skills at home. Learning basic obedience builds confidence in a dog. The pet comes to know what is expected in various situations. This confidence helps to alleviate anxiety.
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Establish a routine for your dog. Dogs need to know what to expect next and having this assurance will alleviate much anxiety in your dog's life. Your dog's mealtimes, nap times, play times, potty breaks and walks should occur at the same time every day.
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Do not coddle or reassure your dog if there is a particular stimulus that causes the pet to become anxious. The dog sees your reassurance as confirmation that there is something of which he should be afraid. Talk to your dog calmly during these times and try to engage the pet in distracting activities such as playing with a ball or performing obedience commands.
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Don't make a big deal about leaving or coming home if your dog's anxiety tends to be worse when you are gone. Be very nonchalant and upbeat when greeting or leaving your dog.
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Consider crate training your dog. A properly crate-trained dog will find comfort in the crate during times of stress.
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Explore natural remedies. A bit of peppermint oil on a dog's paw pads has a calming effect. A few drops of Bach's Rescue Remedy, a flower essence, in the dog's water bowl will also help to calm the pet during times of stress.
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Tips & Warnings
Be aware of the more subtle symptoms of anxiety in dogs. These include licking and even yawning. Less subtle symptoms are the pet urinating and defecating in the house, barking and pacing.
If your dog's anxiety is too much to be dealt with alone, talk to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication. Seek out the help of reputable trainers and behaviorists. Your dog is depending on you to help her deal with this problem.
