My Dog Has Anxiety, What Should I Do?

There are several common types of anxiety in dogs, but all of them have one thing in common: they lead to stress and behavioral issues that can be challenging to deal with. No dog should have to suffer from anxiety, and luckily there are many things you can do to help your dog relax and feel more at ease. Read on to learn more about these types of dog anxiety and how you can deal with them.

Start with Assessments

The first step is to identify what’s causing your dog’s anxiety. A lot of times, it’s something that you might not even realize. Once you know what the trigger is, you can begin to work on a plan to help your dog feel more comfortable. Here are some common causes of stress in dogs • Changes to their routine or schedule 

• New people or pets 

• Loud noises 

• Visits to the vet clinic 

One way to reduce stress for your dog is by providing them with an escape route. For example, if they start feeling stressed when they go outside, give them a place inside where they can hide from their fear and chill out for a while before going back outside again. If they are stressed at home during thunderstorms, put a TV show on in another room so they have something else to focus on. Sometimes, our stress just rubs off onto our pets and we don’t even realize it!

Don’t Panic

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed when your dog is displaying signs of anxiety. The first step is to try and figure out what is causing the stress in your dog. Once you know what the trigger is, you can begin to work on desensitizing your dog to the trigger. It’s important to remain calm yourself, as dogs can sense when their owners are stressed and this will only make the situation worse. If there is a specific thing that causes your dog to be anxious (for example: going into an enclosed space), try having him go into the space with you at a time when he isn’t feeling anxious. With gradual exposure, your pup should become more comfortable with being in the enclosed space over time.

Understanding the Condition

If your dog is exhibiting signs of anxiety, it’s important to first understand the condition. Anxiety in dogs can be caused by many things, including changes in routine, new environments, and fear of abandonment. Common symptoms include panting, pacing, destructiveness, and hiding. If you think your dog may be suffering from anxiety, it’s important to talk to your veterinarian. They will likely recommend a combination of medications and behavioral therapy. They may also suggest that you set up an appointment with a canine psychologist or behaviorist who specializes in treating animals with anxiety disorders.

Learning how to reduce your dogs anxiety in each situation

If your dog has anxiety, there are a few things you can do to help them feel more comfortable. In each situation, you’ll want to take things slow and let your dog get used to the new environment or situation before pushing them too far. Start by taking your dog on walks around the block. After they’ve been successful in this area, try walking around town. Once they’re feeling confident with that, try getting out of the house for an hour or two every day for walks. Always remember to stop if your dog is acting anxious- these techniques won’t work if you push them past their limit!

Examples of each scenario

1. If your dog is displaying signs of anxiety, the first step is to consult with your veterinarian. They will be able to rule out any medical causes and help you create a plan to address your dog’s anxiety.

2. One way to help a dog with anxiety is through behavior modification training. This can involve things like desensitization and counterconditioning exercises to help your dog learn to associate positive experiences with whatever is causing their anxiety. 

3. Playtime is also an important component of reducing stress for dogs with anxiety or other types of behavioral issues, so try using toys to distract them from what they’re nervous about. 

4. Exercise can also help dogs that are experiencing anxiety because it releases endorphins which give them a natural high. 5. It may also be helpful to teach your dog self-soothing behaviors such as taking deep breaths when they’re feeling anxious in order to calm themselves down.

Natural Supplements Like Hemp

If your dog has anxiety, you may be looking for a natural supplement to help ease their symptoms. Hemp is a popular option for dogs with anxiety, as it is known to have calming properties. Before giving your dog hemp, it is important to speak with your veterinarian to make sure it is the right option for your pet. Hemp can be given to dogs in the form of treats, oils, or capsules and is typically well-tolerated by most dogs. One way to administer hemp to your dog is by adding it into their food. However, it’s important not to add too much because dogs cannot tolerate high doses of CBD oil like humans can. Be mindful when feeding them more than one teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight every day.