Dogs really are our best friends. They comfort
us when we are sad, and give pure, unconditional love.
It is a wonderful thing, to share your life
with a dog. They enrich our lives in so many ways, and you will never be the
same, after having a dog in your home.
Sometimes however, dogs can get anxious just
like we can. It can be triggered by many things, including noises, separation
from their family, or changes within a household.
There are several things we can do to help
reduce anxiety in our canine companions.
Let’s have a look at how we can help them.
Anxiety and Dogs
Dogs can suffer with anxiety just as humans
can, although the reasons are usually different from human concerns.
The most common forms of anxiety are
seperation, fear and aging.
Separation anxiety is very common, and these
dogs become agitated when separated from their family, or one person in
particular. They can become disruptive and destroy blankets and furniture in
their agitation, or they can soil in the house when they are otherwise house
trained.
Fear anxiety can be related to many different
things, and it can be hard sometimes to work out exactly what that is. The most
common fear anxiety is noise phobia, in particular thunder and fireworks, but
any noise can cause anxiety. Sometimes certain people, or pieces of clothes, or
even other animals can cause a fear reaction.
Anxiety is pretty commonly seen in dogs as
they age. Dogs can have a condition called Cognitive Dysfunction, which is very
similar to dementia in humans, and can cause confusion and memory problems
which lead to anxiety.
The symptoms of anxiety vary greatly from
individual to individual, but the most common ones are destructive behaviour,
aggression, urinating and / or defecating in the house, barking more than
usual, panting, dribbling, and restlessness, often in the form of panting.
It is best to consult a vet about anxiety
behaviours, and they can recommend behaviour therapy, anti anxiety medication,
or a combination of the two.
However, there are some things you can do at
home as well.
A Secure Space For Your Dog
If your dog suffers with anxiety, then it is
vital they have somewhere that they feel secure that they can go to when they
are feeling anxious.
There are some dog beds which are shown to
help reduce anxiety in anxious dogs.
The most common types of dog beds are the
doughnut type ones, like the calming Bobby bed, or the igloo type.
The doughnut type beds are a round or oval bed
usually, with a slightly raised side. They are made from a soft, comforting
material that is pleasant for your dog
to burrow into and feel secure.
This type of bed also has raised sides, so
your dog can feel protected all around. These beds also allow your dog to curl
up, which is usually a protective position for them, and feel completely tucked
in on all sides, and therefore safe from any anxiety triggering stimuli.
The igloo type beds are a type of bed that is
a dome with an entrance in the front, literally the shape of an igloo. These
beds allow your dog to crawl inside, and be protected all around and from the
top. It is also a bit darker within these beds, which can also help reduce
anxiety.
It is also worth considering crate training your dog. A
crate, if used correctly, is seen as a safe, secure place by your dog, where
they can retreat to when everything gets a bit much and they need to feel
soothed. The crate should have a bed within in, and some blankets to help your
dog create a nest. You can also consider covering the top of the crate so it is
a bit darker, and therefore more secure.
What Other Beds Are There?
There are many types of dog beds available. We
have discussed the doughnut type and the igloo type, but there are more than
just these.
The traditional plastic types are still widely
available, these are made of a hard plastic with raised sides and a dipped area
for entrance. The bottom should be filled with a soft mattress or blankets.
These types of beds can also help your dog feel secure,
as the edges are quite highly raised, and can add to that protective feeling.
Mattress type beds are also quite commonly
seen, and are useful for larger dogs, or dogs that like to stretch out.
However, these don’t have the same secure feeling as beds with sides.
How Else Can You Help Your Dog?
The best thing you can do if you have an anxious dog
is to take it to the vet. Your vet will be able to examine your dog and let you
know if there is any medical reason for the anxiety.
They can then make some recommendations,
usually including behaviour therapy, and sometimes anti anxiety medication.
You can also find some products with
pheromones in that can help to calm your dog. These are available as sprays,
plugins, collars and wipes to aid your dog in feeling calmer.
There are some reports from dog owners that
CBD oil helps treat the anxiety in their dog, although no official studies have
been done yet. If you are thinking of trying this route, always talk to your
vet first, as the CBD oil may interact with some other medications your pet is
already on.
Make sure your dog is properly exercised. When
a dog is not being exercised enough, the pent up energy can convert into
anxiety. This is commonly seen in highly intelligent, working type dogs like
German Shepherds and Border Collie.
It is important to know exactly what the
traits are of a breed before taking that dog on, and ensure it matches your
lifestyle, otherwise you will be letting that dog down.
When your dog is a puppy, ensure to socialise
them thoroughly. This can help them get used to all sorts of situations and
noises, and prevent problems like this in later life. Enlist the help of a
registered and licensed dog trainer or behaviorist to help you achieve good
socialisation.