Training Strategies For Dogs With Anxiety

Dog Anxiety Meds

A dog suffering from anxiety may exhibit a wide range of symptoms including excessive drooling, hyperactivity, a fearful response to stimuli, destructive behavior, urination problems and changes in sleep. In severe cases, dogs may even show aggression to people or other dogs. These behavioral signs of anxiety can be debilitating and affect a dog's quality of life.

The first step is to consult with your veterinarian. They will do a physical exam and recommend baseline blood work to rule out any metabolic or organ disease that may be contributing to your dog's symptoms. They can also prescribe a course of medication to treat the anxiety, as well as recommend complementary treatment and behavior training options.

Some of the best treatment options for dog anxiety involve behavioral modification and natural supplements. For example, pheromone collars or diffusers are a great way to help dogs feel calm and safe. They can be used to treat specific anxieties, like thunderstorm or travel anxiety, or simply to help a dog feel more relaxed in general. Adding calming aromatherapy to the mix can be helpful for some dogs, too. Essential oils like chamomile and lavender have been shown to be effective in helping dogs relax.

Behavior modification is a crucial part of treating most types of dog anxiety. Often, the anxiety is triggered by a particular event or situation, such as going to the vet's office, a trip in the car, or being left alone at home for extended periods. Other causes of anxiety can be much more subtle, such as hearing the thunder during a storm or seeing other dogs walking on a leash.

Training strategies for dogs with anxiety can include counterconditioning, which is the process of replacing an anxious or aggressive reaction to a stimulus with a desirable behavior, like sitting or focusing on the owner. Desensitization is another common training technique that exposes a dog to the stimulus that triggers their anxiety at a lower level of intensity over time.

In some cases, long-acting medications are recommended to treat the anxiety. This can be done under a veterinarian's supervision and requires a dedicated commitment from the owner to communicate frequently about how their pet is responding to the medicine. Many of these drugs need to be given daily for at least four weeks before the effect is noticeable, and some dogs require lifelong treatment.

Aside from medication, other treatments for anxiety can include things like a change in diet to eliminate food allergies that could be causing stress, exercise to burn off pent up energy, and regular veterinary visits to keep the pet in optimal health. Some owners can also help ease their dog's anxiety by avoiding certain situations that make them feel uncomfortable, or by providing one-on-one attention to the animal. A consistent schedule and routine can also help dogs feel less anxious, so making sure to walk them at the same times each day and give them lots of attention, treats and positive reinforcement is important.