Preventing Dog Anxiety and Fear

Here’s how to understand and prevent dog anxiety In Your Precious Pup

It's a beautiful, blue sky, sunny morning, and you're preparing to leave for work. As you grab your keys, your dog begins to pace, whimper, and follow you from room to room. By the time you close the door, he or she is barking uncontrollably.  Conflicted, you leave for work and hope for the best.  Later on, clouds roll in and rain is coming. No big deal. You go about your day. 

And then…

You return home to find chewed-up furniture, papers, and bodily fluids all over the house. It’s like a hurricane was inside your house instead of a small rainstorm outside.  

But there was no hurricane.  It was your poor, scared pup making a mess everywhere, due to dog anxiety. 

Major stress.  For both of you. 

This heart-wrenching scenario is all too common for many dog owners who struggle with their dog’s anxiety. But why does this happen, and what can be done to help our beloved companions?

Anxiety in dogs is a multifaceted issue that affects many pets and pet owners. Just like humans, dogs can experience anxiety for various reasons, and it can manifest in different ways. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and effective treatments for canine anxiety is crucial for ensuring the well-being of our furry friends.

What Are the Symptoms of Dog Anxiety? 

It’s important to understand that anxiety in dogs, just like humans, comes in different varieties.  Here are the most common types and symptoms of dog anxiety:

1. Separation Anxiety: Separation anxiety is an emotional anxiety that happens when dogs become distressed in the absence of their owners. Your dog misses you when you’re gone and worries that something happened to you.  Symptoms include excessive barking or howling, destructive behavior (chewing, ripping things like papers or digging), and house soiling.

2. Noise Anxiety: Loud noises such as thunderstorms, fireworks, and even household appliances can trigger anxiety in dogs. For some dogs, even the clicker in obedience training can cause stress.  When noise is an issue, your dog may exhibit signs like trembling, shaking, hiding, or trying to escape.

3. Social Anxiety: Just like people, some dogs become anxious in social situations, whether it’s meeting new people, other dogs, or being in unfamiliar environments. To feel better, a dog experiencing social anxiety might have aggressive behavior such as lunging, excessive barking, or withdrawing and running away.

4. Travel Anxiety: A simple trip in the car for a short ride or a longer trip can cause anxiety in some dogs. While they may start by jumping in the car eagerly, as anxiety sets in your scared pup might start panting, drooling, vomiting, or restless pacing.

5. Generalized Anxiety: Some dogs may have a more chronic form of anxiety, which is less specific but can cause persistent nervousness and fear in various situations. Like humans, dogs can be afraid of EVERYTHING - new treats, different smells, wind or even the pressure of changing weather can create a loss of appetite, licking or grooming themselves to excess.  Unless they are having an allergic reaction, these symptoms are not normal. 

How Can I Prevent Anxiety For My Dog? 

Preventing anxiety in dogs involves creating a supportive and consistent environment for them. Here are seven ways to work with your dog to help prevent anxiety. It is also important to recognize the type of anxiety your dog is experiencing to choose the correct method for you and your dog’s success. 

1. Keep Up With Socialization

The world is a great big place for a little (or even a large) dog with four legs on the ground. It’s important to expose your dog to different people, places, sounds, and experiences, especially when they are young. But if your dog is older, it’s still important.  Proper socialization helps them become more adaptable and less fearful of new situations. Take your dog for short rides (or even walks) in unfamiliar places where they can enjoy and explore new scenery. 

2. Give Regular Exercise

Physical activity is essential for your dog’s mental health.  When dogs are bored, they destroy things, including themselves.  By going on regular walks (not just wandering around), your dog will receive mental stimulation from the sights, sounds, and smells that are everywhere.  They are wondering “What’s that?” and wanting to explore.  This is normal and required to help with dog anxiety, because regular exercise helps burn off excess energy, reduces stress, and promotes overall well-being.

3. Create a Consistent Routine

Dogs thrive on routine. Believe it or not, you do too.  Keeping a consistent daily schedule for feeding, walking, and playtime helps to help reduce uncertainty and anxiety.  Ever wonder why your dog knows it’s dinner time?  It’s because you feed them at the same time each day so they get used to that rhythm.  Certainty and routine causes the opposite of boredom.  Instead, structure and routine create calm.  That’s not to say that your routine should be military-like and rigid, but consistent and confidently repeated every day.  

4. Give Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement means praising your dog when he or she is doing the RIGHT thing, like laying quietly or following you nicely on a walk.  Most people scold or punish their dogs for doing the WRONG thing, which if not done immediately, confuses the dog.  Instead try rewarding good behavior with treats, praise, or playtime to help build their confidence and reduce anxiety.

5. Make a Safe Space

Create a safe, quiet space where your dog can retreat when they feel anxious. This could be a designated room or a comfortable crate.  Allow them to use their safe space undisturbed whenever they want to use it. 

6. Practice Gradual Desensitization

Gradually expose your dog to anxiety triggers in a controlled manner. For example, if your dog is afraid of loud noises, start with low-volume recordings and gradually increase the volume over time. Another way to deal with things like thunder (which is often a big scary thing for dogs), instead of trying to get them to “snap out of it” is to have fun with it.   When thunder is coming, having some REALLY good treats handy, like a piece of cooked chicken is a must.  When the noise starts, get excited!  Say “Yay thunder!” or “Let’s have fun!” and throw them a great treat when thunder starts.  They will begin to associate the bad noise with a good treat and the good treat will win - every time.  

7. Provide Lots of Mental Stimulation

When the brain is busy, the body is calm.  Keep your dog mentally stimulated with interactive toys, puzzles, and training exercises. Mental stimulation helps reduce boredom and anxiety. One of our favorite (and free!) play time ideas is to play “hide and seek” with your dog.  To do this: 

1. Ask your dog to sit and stay. 
2. Do hide somewhere in the house.
3. Call your dog or give a command like “find me”. 
4. They will look for you and when they find you, reward them with praise, excitement and a treat!

What about calming treats or other aids? 

Glad you asked!  There are many ways to help with dog anxiety. 

Calming aids such as pheromone diffusers, anxiety wraps, or calming treats to help manage your dog’s anxiety.  Here’s a brief description of each.   

Pheromone Diffuser

A pheromone diffuser is a device that releases chemical substances called pheromones into the air to help animals feel safe and secure.  It’s kind of like an air freshener that plugs into an outlet to release the scents that calm the dog.  And good news!  Pheromone diffusers work great for cats too!  These diffusers can help reduce unwanted behaviors in cats that are stressed or anxious, such as scratching, spraying, or urinating outside the litter box.

Anxiety Wrap

Many people have heard of Thundershirts, a brand name for a specific type of calming wrap.  Calming wraps fit over the body firmly, but not too tight, to make it feel like a hug.  You can create an anxiety wrap at home by simply taking an old T-shirt, putting it on the dog, and using a rubber band on the dog’s back to gather the excess material and make the T-shirt snug.  

Calming Treats 

Calming treats are a fast, easy way to help dogs get calm and learn that there is no danger.  When looking at calming treats, know this:  Not all calming treats help with all of the types of anxiety described above.  Different ingredients have different results, so look for these general (and natural) ingredients in a calming treat for your dog’s anxiety: 

   For Separation and Social Anxiety, look for: 

• L-Theanine (increases calming neurotransmitters in the brain)
• L-Tryptophan (produces serotonin to calm and relax) 
• Chamomile (well known to relax muscles and soothe digestion)
• Passion Flower (calming and natural sedative)

   For Noise and Travel Anxiety, look for:

• Valerian Root (natural relaxing herb that calms the nervous system)
• Magnesium (works with brain chemistry to block neurotransmitters that cause stress)
• Ginger Root (for digestion and upset tummy, especially during car rides)

   For Generalized Anxiety, look for:

• Ashwagandha (reduces stress hormone levels and calms the brain)
• B1 or B Complex Vitamins (supports a healthy nervous and immune system)
• Lions Mane Mushroom (improves mood, reduces anxiety and reduces inflammation)

Completely Calm Anxiety Chews

Ready to try calming treats?  To help your dog overcome anxiety, Fetch Happy Store has developed the Completely Calm Anxiety Chew. This chew combines several natural ingredients that effectively alleviate anxiety in dogs.

Key Benefits of Completely Calm Anxiety Chew:

1. Reduces Fear, Anxiety, and Stress: The blend of chamomile, valerian root, and passionflower helps to calm your dog and reduce feelings of fear and anxiety.

2. Promotes Better Sleep: Ingredients like valerian root and L-Theanine support better sleep quality, helping your dog rest and recover.

3. Supports Digestive Health: Ginger and chamomile help soothe the digestive system, which is particularly beneficial for dogs with anxiety-induced stomach issues.

4. Improves Behavior and Training: A calmer dog is more receptive to training and better behaved. Our chews help reduce hyperactivity and improve focus.

5. Addresses Multiple Anxiety Triggers: Whether it’s separation anxiety, noise anxiety, or travel anxiety, our chews are designed to help your dog feel more at ease in various situations.

6. Holistic Approach: Our chews are not only effective but also safe and made with high-quality, natural ingredients that support your dog’s overall health.

At Fetch Happy Store, we understand and celebrate the deep bond between you and your dog. Our mission is to help both dogs and their owners lead happier, stress-free lives.

Here’s why you should choose our Completely Calm Anxiety Chew for your precious pup:

1. Quality Ingredients: We use only the finest organic and natural ingredients that are safe and effective for dogs.
2. Expert Formulation: Our chews are formulated by experts in canine health and behavior, ensuring they address the specific needs of anxious dogs.
3. Satisfaction Guarantee: We stand behind our products and offer a satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not happy with the results, we’ll make it right.
4. Holistic Health Focus: We believe in a holistic approach to pet health, supporting not just anxiety relief but overall well-being.
5. Veterinarian Approved.  Our product has been tested by and confirmed by veterinarians to work efficiently without adverse side effects. 

If your dog is struggling with anxiety, don’t wait any longer to provide them with the relief they deserve. Our Completely Calm Anxiety Chew offers a safe, natural, and effective solution to help your furry friend lead a calmer, happier life. Visit the Fetch Happy Store today and give your dog the gift of peace and relaxation.