There are
several important symptoms to look out for:
Aggression
Urinating
or defecating in the house
Drooling
Panting
Destructive
behavior
Depression
Excessive
barking
Pacing
Restlessness
Repetitive
or compulsive behaviors
Some of
these symptoms may be the result of occasional anxiety-causing events, but any
of these can become recurrent and therefore, result in more serious issues.
This being said, by far the most dangerous symptom of dog anxiety is
aggression. This aggression can be targeted directly or indirectly, depending
on the situation. Direct aggression occurs when a dog acts aggressively toward
people or other animals. Indirect aggression can be equally dangerous, and
often happens when a person comes between the dog and the source of the dog’s
aggression, such as another dog. Even if a dog is prevented from harming
others, aggressive behaviors such as growling or barking can lead to
undesirable situations for humans and dogs, alike.
Urinating
and defecating in the house is a common symptom of separation anxiety. Anxious
dogs often work themselves up to the point that they pee or poop in the house,
even if they are housebroken. This is frustrating for owners and can cause
damage to property, not to mention the unpleasantness of the cleanup.
Destructive
behavior is also common with separation anxiety. The damage is usually located
around entry and exit points, like doorways and windows, but dogs in a state of
heightened anxiety are also at risk of harming themselves. Attempts to break
out of dog crates, windows, and even doors can result in painful injuries and
expensive veterinary treatments.
Dog Anxiety:
Treatment
The best
way to treat anxiety is to talk with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can
help you identify the type of anxiety your dog suffers from and the possible
causes and triggers. Your veterinarian will also be able to help you determine
if the anxiety is simply situational, or if it is becoming an overwhelming
issue for your dog. Additionally, veterinarians can also rule out any other
medical conditions that could be causing your dog’s symptoms or they can
suggest some anxiety medicine for dogs
Your
veterinarian will help you come up with a treatment plan. Since excessive
anxiety is often caused by a variety of factors, the best way to treat it is
usually through a combination of training, preventive strategies, and in some
cases, medications.
Training and
Counterconditioning
There are
several training strategies owners can use to treat dog anxiety. One way is
counterconditioning. The purpose of counterconditioning is to change your dog’s
response to the stimuli responsible for anxiety, usually by replacing the
anxious or aggressive behavior with a more desirable behavior, like sitting or
focusing on the owner.
Another
training strategy is desensitization. The owner slowly introduces the dog to
the source of anxiety, preferably in small doses and at a decreased intensity.
Repeated exposure and rewarding positive behavior can go a long way toward
managing anxiety.
You might
want to contact a professional dog trainer to help you choose the best approach
for your dog, as training an anxious dog is not always easy.
If your dog
develops a serious anxiety disorder, your veterinarian may recommend
medications or natural therapies. SSRIs and antidepressants are occasionally
prescribed for dogs with anxiety, including fluoxetine and clomipramine. For
predictable anxiety-producing events like thunderstorms, fireworks, or car
rides, your veterinarian might prescribe a medication such as benzodiazepine in
conjunction with an antidepressant to help your dog cope with the stress.
Natural
therapies and products can help dogs with anxiety. Some products work best in
conjunction with other medications, while others can be used alone, depending
on your dog’s case. Natural products use pheromones and aromatherapy to reduce
anxiety. Talk to your veterinarian about the natural products best suited for
your dog.
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