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You know your dog best, so you’ll probably be quick to notice behavioural changes. If you’ve noticed that your dog has anxiety, there could be a few reasons for this. Here, we’ll take a look at why your dog might have anxiety and what to do about it so you can ensure they are healthy and happy.
Dogs will naturally have a lot of pent up energy and emotions when they are not getting enough exercise. Are you sure you’re walking your dog enough? Are you letting them run free to get rid of some of that pent up energy? Are you playing with them at home, too? You need to make sure your dog is getting enough exercise based on their breed. This is why it’s so important to get a dog that suits your lifestyle!
Confusion can make your dog stressed and tense. Dogs can get confused when they aren’t being trained, or when they’re being trained inconsistently. Try doggy massage to see if you can get rid of some of their tension. You could even try special treats to calm your dog, as well as supplements containing things like melatonin, thiamin, chamomile, L-Theanine or L-tryptophan. Just make sure you check with the vet if you plan on starting your dog on different supplements, and always give them to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Perhaps your dog misses you when you leave. They will have a much better time with this if they are well trained, as dog’s become anxious if they believe they are the ‘pack leader’ yet members of the pack leave them. You can try leaving them with something that smells like you to help them, but make sure you have a good training program in place, too. It can also help to practice leaving them for small amounts of time and then come back so they know you will always return.
Perhaps your dog doesn’t feel safe or comfortable in their environment. Creating a safe environment for your dog is crucial. Aromatherapy can help to soothe them, and you can even use something made especially for dogs, like adaptil. Music therapy can also be very helpful, especially when paired with aromatherapy. This is why many dog owners like to leave a radio on for their dog when they go out, or something that has been designed especially for dogs.
When dogs get older, they can become more jumpy and anxious. This is often a natural part of ageing for dogs. They may not like walking next to main roads, and they may get skittish when you enter the room, for example. Try to take them walking in calmer environments if you can, and move their bed if they need an environment with less foot traffic.
Don’t forget, it could be worth making sure there’s no underlying condition making your dog anxious, so consider taking them for a check up.
This is a collaborative post.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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