Owners often have a hard time believing
that their dogs could be suffering from anxiety. After all, dogs
don't have to hold down a job and pay the bills; what is there to
be anxious about? But canine anxiety can severely disrupt the
bond between dogs and their owners.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of nervousness,
uneasiness or apprehension, which is normal under certain circumstances
but can become a problem if it becomes severe and/or occurs at inappropriate
times. Dogs often develop anxiety associated with particular triggers.
"If your dog's anxiety is severe or worsens despite your attempts to treat it at home, make an appointment with your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist."
For example, some dogs become extremely agitated if their owners leave
them alone. This is called separation anxiety. Other dogs
may be terrified when a thunderstorm is in the area or if they hear
fireworks going off nearby.
Home Care
If you believe that your dog suffers
from anxiety, remember that he is truly scared, not just being "bad."
Punishment is absolutely the wrong response in this situation and will
actually make the situation worse rather than better. The goal
when treating a dog with an anxiety disorder is to get him to relax
and then provide positive reinforcement while he remains calm.
If your dog's anxiety is mild, there
are a few things you can try at home before making an appointment with
a veterinarian. For separation anxiety in particular:
- Pretend to leave (e.g.,
pick up your keys, put on your coat, etc.) but then stay or walk out
the door but immediately come back in
- When you do get home, ignore
your dog until he is calm
- Do not allow your dog to
sleep in your bed
- Ask someone else to do things
with your dog that he enjoys (e.g., taking him on a walk or feeding
him)
- Give your dog special toys when you leave and put them away when you
are home
- If you often have a television
or radio on when you are at home, keep it on when you leave.
Dog owners also have a number of anxiety relief options that may help, particularly when used in combination with teaching,
a dog to relax in the face of stress. Sprays, diffusers, collars and
wipes are available that contain dog
appeasing pheromone, a
substance that nursing females emit to calm their pups. Many different nutraceutical, herbal
or homeopathic formulations
have also been designed to help anxious dogs.
The over-the-counter medication diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may help with mild anxiety that
is limited to particular events, like riding in a car. Talk to
your veterinarian about this option and what the correct dose would
be for your dog.
Veterinary Care
If your dog's anxiety is severe or
worsens despite your attempts to treat it at home, make an appointment
with your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist. These doctors
can diagnose the particular type of disorder that your dog suffers from
and come up with a behavioral modification plan that will best suit
your dog's particular needs. In some cases, he or she may also
prescribe medications like Clomicalm or amitriptyline to increase the effectiveness of the behavioral
modification protocol.
If a dog's anxiety is limited to
particular events (e.g., travel or firework displays), a short term
sedative may be all that is needed. In these cases, a veterinarian
may prescribe a medication such as acepromazine that should be given a few hours before the
offending event.
The above is provided for information purposes only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any condition.
This information does not cover all possible variables, conditions, reactions, or risks relating to any topic, medication, or product and should not
be considered complete. Certain products or medications may have risks and you should always consult your local veterinarian concerning the treatment of
your pet. Any trademarks are the property of their respective owners.