3 Ways You Can Reduce Anxiety In Your Dog
When a dog is feeling nervous they're anticipating that something is going to take place that that they're frightened of. That might be a direct threat like another dog coming towards them, or it could be something that's linked with the fear, for example their owner picking up the car keys. The keys aren't the threat, but they associate them with their owner leaving them at home by themself.
Anxiety in dogs usually comes from their social learning (or the lack of it) and their previous experiences, but some dogs are just a bit nervous by nature. Often a dog's anxieties are difficult to understand, but the good new is that no matter what the reason for their fears, there are some ways that you can help reduce your dog's anxiety levels.
1. Do Not Make Them Face Their Fears
Avoiding circumstances that are fearful for your dog is the most straightforward way to instantly reduce a dog's anxiety. For example, if your dog is fearful of vacuum cleaners, don't vacuum while they're close by until you have done some desensitizing sessions with them and they are relaxed about it.
In contrast to general belief, getting a dog to face their fears head on is not going to help, and is likely to result in heightening the anxiousness. On the other hand, ignoring anxiety in dogs in the hope it'll go away, unfortunately won't help either and the anxiousness will most likely intensify over a period of time as the dog learns to be a little more scared from each experience that compounds the fear.
2. Use Desensitisation Behavior Training
Desensitization training can slowly help your dog overcome fears, so taking one fear at a time, set aside some regular time and create a step by step plan to desensitise him.
Using the example of a dog scared of a vacuum cleaner, you could begin by getting the vacuum out but not putting it on, and then putting a treat in the same room as the vacuum, or playing a game in the same room, steadily getting the dog nearer to the vacuum. Keep on doing this till they relax and take no notice of it.
Your next move is to have somebody put the vacuum on while you are in another room with the dog. Again use the method of treats and play (whatever they like best) till they relax while they can hear the noise. Steadily move them closer every couple of sessions, observing your dog all of the time. If they start showing nervousness, back up a little and progress more slowly.
3. Be Calm and Positive With Your dog
Staying calm yourself is very important for an anxious dog because if you're feeling scared as well , they are going to pick up on those feelings and become more anxious.
It can sometimes be hard to stay calm yourself if you are anxious about how your dog is going to react, as an example coming face to face with another dog on a walk when you know it will cause them a lot of anxiousness. If at all possible, it is smart to avoid those eventualities altogether, but if faced with a fearful situation, your dog may look to you for a reaction first, so be sure you act as if it is nothing for your dog to worry about. That doesn't mean you need to carry on and 'brave out ' any worrying situations, you might similarly decide to turn and walk away.
Reward your dog for being brave and showing confidence whenever it's possible to bolster they're doing the right thing. Conversely, never scold or punish them for showing fear. Shouting or shocking them may get you the right reaction such as stopping them from doing something (like barking forcefully), nonetheless it won't deal with the underlying problem that causes the anxiety in the first place.
It may take some time for your dog to start responding positively, but stick with it because your dog really needs you to be patient with them while they deal with the anxiety. Ultimately they should be able to deal with a load more stimulus and lead a happier life.
Author Venice Marriott is a writer and dog owner and runs a website, which provides help and information for dog owners dealing with dog anxiety. Get more information about the ways you can reduce anxiety in dogs, when you visit the site.