On some occasions we can see our dog very nervous and restless, manifesting a picture compatible with anxiety. This behavior can be triggered by loud noises but also when we leave our dog at home for a few hours.
In this article on our site we will explain what is anxiety in dogs and what solutions we can adopt to mitigate it. It is important to know that there are expert professionals in canine behavior who are the ones we should turn to in these cases.
Anxiety Considerations in Dogs
Anxiety in dogs is a behavioral problem that manifests itself in dogs in different situations such as loud noises. Some dogs they also show anxiety when they are left alone for a time that doesn't even have to be too long.
Normally we will notice that the dog is very nervous, restless, cries, seeks to escape or take refuge, we cannot calm him down, etc. Some caregivers seek to solve the problem by administering medication to the dog but this, even if it keeps him sedated, does not solve the situation. To treat anxiety we must study when it appears and try to anticipate and, of course, get in touch with a canine behavior specialist, since anxiety is treated in this ambit.
In addition, on the market we will find products such as feed, prizes, diffusers, collars or sprays that contain active ingredients or pheromones for dogs with a calming effect. Below we will see frequent cases in which anxiety can manifest.
Noise anxiety in dogs
Specifically, anxiety in dogs due to rockets and fireworks is very common. These noises usually occur suddenly and continuously, causing the dog to get scared. In these cases, if we find ourselves in the street, we must be especially careful because it is likely that the dog, frightened, will try to run away by slipping off the leash. We will observe that the dog looks for shelter, moans, hypersalivates and is very restless and nervousso that he is not even able to hear us.
In those moments it is easy for us to try to caress him with the aim of calming him down, but this action can be interpreted as a reinforcement of anxious behavior. That is why we must anticipate their reaction, which we can do if we know when parties with fireworks are held.
Closing the windows and lowering the blinds help minimize outside noise. It is also convenient that we provide him with a place where he feels safe and that we accompany him, always staying calm so as not to increase his insecurity. If we observe that our dog remains quite calm, we can reward him. To do this, we must give him some command that he knows, such as "come" or "sit" and, as soon as he does it, we will reward him with caresses or food so that he knows why we reward him.
Separation anxiety in dogs
Separation-related disorders are becoming more widely known. They generally manifest when we leave the dog alone and the usual picture includes crying, howling, barking, destruction or elimination inside the home, either through urine, feces or both.
We can try to improve separation anxiety in dogs by establishing a schedule of outings that gradually increases, so that, little by little, we get the dog to Get used to being alone Maintaining a level of activity appropriate to the dog's needs so that it has enough time to exercise, play and burn energy are practices that will help to improve anxiety.
These cases usually require the intervention of a professional to provide specific guidelines depending on the case, which can be supplemented with the use of toys of stimulation, such as the kong for dogs.
Anxiety in puppies
Bringing a puppy into our home is a big change for him. Sometimes during the first days, we may notice that it is difficult for him to stay alone, for example, if he does not sleep with us at night. In these cases it is normal for the little one, accustomed to his home and his family, to moan, cry, scratch the doors or bark if, suddenly, he finds himself alone.
Years ago it was recommended to ignore his calls and just offer him a bed with some of our clothes so that he would have our smell and a clock underneath to remind him of his heartbeat. At present, experts already question these practices, so we can comfort our puppy and reward him as we explained in the previous section. A good puppy socialization is very important to avoid anxiety.
Anxiety in older dogs
When our dogs get older it is possible that we observe changes in their behavior compatible with cognitive dysfunction syndrome or dementia states, which we could interpret as Alzheimer's that affects human beings. The dog will show restless, nervous, disoriented, will cry or bark and may exhibit destructive behavior, improper disposal, etc. Separation anxiety can also occur in dogs.
These cases should always be assessed by the veterinarian to rule out that there is a physical cause that explains them. Drugs may be given to try to keep the dog calm and thus improve her quality of life. The most important thing in advanced ages is to try to influence behavior and the environment in a positive way. Adequate exercise, simple games and mentally stimulating exercises are highly recommended.
