How to Tell if Your Dog is Suffering From Anxiety, and How to Help Them.

How to Tell if Your Dog is Suffering From Anxiety, and How to Help Them.

Posted by Darren Walton on 3rd Mar 2022

Anxiety is a common problem many owners face, especially when welcoming a rescue dog into the family. However, some pets are naturally more anxious than others.

A dog is so much more than an animal; it's a beloved pet and a valued member of your family. While many people understand that dogs are just as susceptible to physical illness as humans, they often forget emotional and mental issues.

Anxiety is a common problem many owners face, especially when welcoming a rescue dog into the family. However, some pets are naturally more anxious than others.

In this post, we'll reveal how to tell if your dog is suffering from anxiety and share some valuable tips so you can help them.

Which Types of Anxiety Are Most Common in Dogs?

While anxiety can affect each dog differently, there are four types you should be aware of, including separation, social, environmental and generalised anxiety. Let's take a look at each in more detail.

Separation Anxiety

This type of anxiety is the one most people know, and many dogs suffer from separation anxiety. Dogs are social animals, and when they're away from the people they're bonded to most, it can have an adverse effect.

Social Anxiety

Rescue dogs are particularly vulnerable to social anxiety, resulting in fear of other people or animals.

Environmental Anxiety

Environmental anxiety often occurs when a pet is scared of a particular location. Most pets hate going to the vet, but an anxiety disorder means a dog will often panic and become distressed when going to a place they fear.

Generalised Anxiety

If a dog suddenly develops an anxiety disorder, it's often referred to as a generalised condition. This is because no known trauma or trigger will explain the behaviour.

How to Tell If Your Dog Is Anxious

Paying attention to your dog's body language can help you identify if they're suffering from anxiety. There are subtle signs that might include an overreaction when visiting a particular place or shying away from people and animals.

Here are some vital signs you should watch out for:

Destructive Behaviour

Some dogs might act out to mask their anxiety, and this kind of behaviour could include barking, displaying aggression, destroying furniture, being alert and always being on guard.

Avoidance

If you notice your dog avoids food, hides in corners, whines a lot, and avoids any contact, it can be highly distressing. Rescue dogs often show these symptoms because they've experienced a lot of trauma.

Other signs of anxious dogs include constant digging, looking for an escape, and panting. While some of these behaviours might be a part of being a dog, if you notice they occur regularly, it's probably due to an underlying issue.

How to Help Your Dog

There are so many ways to help your anxious dog, but it's important to remember that each animal is individual. You have to be able to identify the underlying cause.

Is Your Dog a Rescue Pet?

If your dog is a rescue pet, it's essential to be extra vigilant as they may have been exposed to a lot of trauma. Make sure you're familiar with the signs of anxiety and get help if needed.

It can be beneficial to put a webcam in your home and look at how your pet behaves when alone. Some might show some naturally destructive behaviours, but if a dog seems genuinely terrified, then you know there's a significant problem.

Make Time for Them

It's crucial that you make time for your anxious dog and ensure they have someone around them. This could be a family member, friend or professional dog walker, but most specialists would recommend a dog shouldn't be alone for more than four hours a day.

If you have to work, then consider using a doggy daycare service. Not only will your dog have companionship, but it's also a great way to encourage socialisation.

Create a Routine

Dogs love routine, and it can help to ease their anxiety. Try and stick to the exact feeding times, walks and play times as much as possible because it will help your dog feel more secure.

Use Positive Reinforcement

One of the best ways to help an anxious dog is positive reinforcement. If they display good behaviour, make sure you reward them with a treat or lots of praise. Over time, your dog will associate good behaviour with a reward and continue to learn.

Provide Comforting Items

Certain items can provide comfort for an anxious dog, such as a favourite toy, blanket or even a specific spot in the house where they feel safe.

If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, a blanket or toy sprayed with your perfume is a great way to ease them into being away from you.

Consider Treatment

If you're worried that your dog is suffering from anxiety, it's essential to get them help as soon as possible. There are many ways to ease their symptoms and make them more comfortable, including supplements.

Some pets need some help to get over their anxiety, and an excellent calming supplement for dogs can be beneficial for easing stress and helping your pup overcome its fears.

Some sprays and diffusers can make a big difference, and many are available without a prescription.

If All Else Fails, See a Vet

If your dog's anxiety is causing them significant distress or their behaviour becomes unmanageable, it's time to see a vet. There could be an underlying medical issue causing the problem, and it's crucial to get help from a professional.

Vets can perform a proper medical examination, and if the behaviour is particularly destructive or traumatising your dog, they might be able to prescribe a stronger medication.

It can also be beneficial to see a behavioural specialist because they'll help you find ways to support your dog in most cases.

Finally: Don't Give Up

Anxiety can be a complex issue to overcome, but it's important not to give up. Your dog can find new confidence with time, patience, and the right help.

Rescue dogs are particularly vulnerable to stress and anxiety, but if you can help your pet overcome these issues, you'll create an incredible bond

.

A loyal, loving dog is always there for you when you need them and offers unconditional love and support. If your pet has recently suffered a trauma, try to be understanding give your pup your unconditional love.

It will all be worth it in the end.

Anxiety is a common problem many owners face, especially when welcoming a rescue dog into the family. However, some pets are naturally more anxious than others.

A dog is so much more than an animal; it's a beloved pet and a valued member of your family. While many people understand that dogs are just as susceptible to physical illness as humans, they often forget emotional and mental issues.

Anxiety is a common problem many owners face, especially when welcoming a rescue dog into the family. However, some pets are naturally more anxious than others.

In this post, we'll reveal how to tell if your dog is suffering from anxiety and share some valuable tips so you can help them.

Which Types of Anxiety Are Most Common in Dogs?

While anxiety can affect each dog differently, there are four types you should be aware of, including separation, social, environmental and generalised anxiety. Let's take a look at each in more detail.

Separation Anxiety

This type of anxiety is the one most people know, and many dogs suffer from separation anxiety. Dogs are social animals, and when they're away from the people they're bonded to most, it can have an adverse effect.

Social Anxiety

Rescue dogs are particularly vulnerable to social anxiety, resulting in fear of other people or animals.

Environmental Anxiety

Environmental anxiety often occurs when a pet is scared of a particular location. Most pets hate going to the vet, but an anxiety disorder means a dog will often panic and become distressed when going to a place they fear.

Generalised Anxiety

If a dog suddenly develops an anxiety disorder, it's often referred to as a generalised condition. This is because no known trauma or trigger will explain the behaviour.

How to Tell If Your Dog Is Anxious

Paying attention to your dog's body language can help you identify if they're suffering from anxiety. There are subtle signs that might include an overreaction when visiting a particular place or shying away from people and animals.

Here are some vital signs you should watch out for:

Destructive Behaviour

Some dogs might act out to mask their anxiety, and this kind of behaviour could include barking, displaying aggression, destroying furniture, being alert and always being on guard.

Avoidance

If you notice your dog avoids food, hides in corners, whines a lot, and avoids any contact, it can be highly distressing. Rescue dogs often show these symptoms because they've experienced a lot of trauma.

Other signs of anxious dogs include constant digging, looking for an escape, and panting. While some of these behaviours might be a part of being a dog, if you notice they occur regularly, it's probably due to an underlying issue.

How to Help Your Dog

There are so many ways to help your anxious dog, but it's important to remember that each animal is individual. You have to be able to identify the underlying cause.

Is Your Dog a Rescue Pet?

If your dog is a rescue pet, it's essential to be extra vigilant as they may have been exposed to a lot of trauma. Make sure you're familiar with the signs of anxiety and get help if needed.

It can be beneficial to put a webcam in your home and look at how your pet behaves when alone. Some might show some naturally destructive behaviours, but if a dog seems genuinely terrified, then you know there's a significant problem.

Make Time for Them

It's crucial that you make time for your anxious dog and ensure they have someone around them. This could be a family member, friend or professional dog walker, but most specialists would recommend a dog shouldn't be alone for more than four hours a day.

If you have to work, then consider using a doggy daycare service. Not only will your dog have companionship, but it's also a great way to encourage socialisation.

Create a Routine

Dogs love routine, and it can help to ease their anxiety. Try and stick to the exact feeding times, walks and play times as much as possible because it will help your dog feel more secure.

Use Positive Reinforcement

One of the best ways to help an anxious dog is positive reinforcement. If they display good behaviour, make sure you reward them with a treat or lots of praise. Over time, your dog will associate good behaviour with a reward and continue to learn.

Provide Comforting Items

Certain items can provide comfort for an anxious dog, such as a favourite toy, blanket or even a specific spot in the house where they feel safe.

If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, a blanket or toy sprayed with your perfume is a great way to ease them into being away from you.

Consider Treatment

If you're worried that your dog is suffering from anxiety, it's essential to get them help as soon as possible. There are many ways to ease their symptoms and make them more comfortable, including supplements.

Some pets need some help to get over their anxiety, and an excellent calming supplement for dogs can be beneficial for easing stress and helping your pup overcome its fears.

Some sprays and diffusers can make a big difference, and many are available without a prescription.

If All Else Fails, See a Vet

If your dog's anxiety is causing them significant distress or their behaviour becomes unmanageable, it's time to see a vet. There could be an underlying medical issue causing the problem, and it's crucial to get help from a professional.

Vets can perform a proper medical examination, and if the behaviour is particularly destructive or traumatising your dog, they might be able to prescribe a stronger medication.

It can also be beneficial to see a behavioural specialist because they'll help you find ways to support your dog in most cases.

Finally: Don't Give Up

Anxiety can be a complex issue to overcome, but it's important not to give up. Your dog can find new confidence with time, patience, and the right help.

Rescue dogs are particularly vulnerable to stress and anxiety, but if you can help your pet overcome these issues, you'll create an incredible bond

.

A loyal, loving dog is always there for you when you need them and offers unconditional love and support. If your pet has recently suffered a trauma, try to be understanding give your pup your unconditional love.

It will all be worth it in the end.