5 Ways to Soothe Anxious Dogs

Pets can become stressed for several different reasons. From new roommates to fireworks to long travel hours, dogs react to changes in their environment similar to how we do. Many types of canine anxiety problems exist. Separation anxiety can occur when a dog is left alone for long periods of time. When dogs become fearful of loud noises, like thunderstorms, they are experiencing noise anxiety. Motion sickness and travel anxiety are possible for dogs, too, and you may think twice before keeping your dog in a crate as their frustration can lead to confinement anxiety. Because dogs are sensitive to their physical and emotional settings, they may engage in repetitive or displacement behavior during times of stress. Agitated dogs may stop barking, chew on furniture and shoes, eat their own poop, or be aggressive toward others. When these behaviors happen, don't misjudge the situation and punish your dog. Punishment will not address the root cause of the problem. In fact, pain will only increase their levels of stress leading to more unwanted behavior. Fortunately, with the right plan of action, you can help your pet overcome anxiety. Every dog responds differently to certain methods. Therefore, if your pet doesn't respond to one technique, consider trying another. Here are five possible solutions for anxiety in dogs: 1. Use Medication First, always consult a veterinarian before administering medication. Giving your dog Benadryl is one popular option for relief. It's a li...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news