Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease.
And it’s also a sensation sometimes experienced by our pets. Usually, anxiety is a normal, healthy response to certain situations. But if you’re concerned that anxiety is hindering your dog’s ability to live its best life, it’s worth learning more about how to identify symptoms and what treatments are available to help you both manage the issue.
How to spot anxiety in dogs
If you think about how you feel when you’re scared or worried, you might associate that feeling with physical responses such as goosebumps, sweating or a knotted stomach. The best way to recognise anxiety in dogs is to also pay attention to the animals’ physical responses.
Signs of anxiety in dogs can include one or a combination of the following:
• Sudden or increased urination
• Sudden or increased bowel movements
• Destructive behaviour ie chewing furniture, digging holes
• Excessive panting
• Excessive pacing or running in laps or circles
• Repeated escape attempts
• Self harm such as excessive licking or chewing their own skin
• Biting
• Tail-chasing or spinning in circles
• Yawning
• Trembling
• Whining
• Growling
• Excessive barking
• Howling
• Hair standing on their backs
• Hiding
• Tucking their tail
• Flashing teeth
• Food refusal
• General resistance to settling down
Signs of anxiety can also appear subtle, but are prone to intensify without intervention.
Causes of anxiety
One of the most common causes of anxiety in dogs is separation from their owners. Almost all dog owners, particularly in the early weeks after bringing home a new pet, will have experience with a dog crying or behaving destructively when left alone.
Other causes of anxiety can include sounds such as traffic noise or construction work, crowds, other animals, guests in the home, travel in vehicles, visits to the vet clinic, unfamiliar environments and changes in routine.
Some of the causes of anxiety may be associated with past trauma or negative experiences, others may be related to the dog’s general temperament or genetic predisposition, and some will be inexplicable.
Treating anxiety
If you’re confident that you’ve identified the trigger of your dog’s anxiety, one option is to plan ahead and avoid situations that cause your dog’s anxious responses. However, if the triggers are unavoidable (such as leaving your dog alone while you go to work), or you’d rather deal with the problem head-on, there are options available.
Behavioural training
Counterconditioning is a method of behavioural training designed to change an animal’s fear to a positive response. It’s achieved by encouraging your dogs to associate a fear with something they enjoy. For example, if your dog becomes anxious when you grab your car keys and prepare to leave the home, you can divert their attention with something they enjoy like a food treat. With repetition, the anxiety associated with the situation is replaced by a feeling of positivity.
The same principles of counterconditioning can also be applied to other anxiety-inducing situations such as car travel. If your dog is displaying signs of anxiety as you open the car door, you can divert their attention with a cuddle or food treat, and eventually reward progress. For example, the dog can receive a treat when they get inside the car, then the next day another treat mid-trip, and another when the car stops.
Socialisation
If your dog is still a puppy, it’s particularly important to socialise them in order to manage and prevent anxiety around other animals, people and in new environments. Most vets say the crucial window is between four and 16 weeks old. During this time, puppies should be gently exposed to a vast range of environments, handlers and other dogs.
Dogs whose anxiety is induced by loneliness or separation may also benefit from ‘doggy daycare’, a pet-sitter or even a furry friend. However, purchasing a second dog requires careful consideration and isn’t guaranteed to solve the problem. In fact, a second dog has the potential to intensify the issue.
Medical intervention
Even if you don’t want to medicate your dog, it’s worth visiting a vet for their opinion on how to manage the symptoms. At the least, they should be able to rule out any other medical conditions that could potentially be causing the problem.
If you and your vet do agree that medication is the best course of action, there are a range of products designed to calm your pet. Some products are specific ‘anti-anxiety’ medications, while others may be sedatives. And not all medications are designed to be taken regularly – some may be recommended only when your dog is triggered or displaying certain behaviours.
Your vet may also recommend nutrition or other non-medicated products to help manage your dog’s anxiety. Whatever course you choose to follow, continuous monitoring is necessary to check if the treatment is working or needs to be modified.
