Like humans, dogs can become plagued by anxiety issues. Separation anxiety is prevalent, but anxiety over loud noises is also common. In order to assuage your dog's fears, you need to be able to understand what makes your dog fearful and then work as slowly adapting the dog's fear.
Separation anxiety is something that many pet owners experience with their pets. As an owner goes to work, a dog suffering from separation anxiety might take to chewing furniture, urinating inside the house, defecating inside, and even breaking through doors and windows in an attempt to seek human attention. In rare cases, the dog experiencing separation anxiety might even take to excessive chewing or licking of his or her paws and other extremities. Whatever the signs of anxiety are, you need to stop the dog from being anxious when you leave the home.
First, it is critical to crate train your dog. At first, keep the dog in the crate with toys and the door open. Allow the dog to gradually get used to the crate being his or her home. Adding a soft blanket that smells of your cologne, soap, or perfume will help immensely. When you leave the home, place the dog in the kennel with a chew toy, the blanket, and some food and water. This will keep the dog contained and away from your furniture where he or she can cause tremendous damage.
In many cases, offering the dog alternate activities will help. Make sure the dog has a few toys to play with. Purchase a kong ball and fill it with something that takes time to retrieve. Peanut butter is great and will keep a dog entertained for hours as he or she tries to lick out ever morsel.
Turn on the radio or television before you leave the house. If a dog is hearing human voices throughout the day, he or she is far less apt to become fearful. If your answering machine permits it, call periodically throughout the day and use the intercom system to offer reassuring words to your dog as the day passes.
Another common fear in dogs is that of a very loud noise. Thunderstorms, the reverberation of a rifle during hunting season (for those who live in the country), a car backfiring-these are all issues that can cause incredible anxiety in animals. There really is only one way to eliminate this fear. You will need to desensitize your pet.
Start by going up to your dog and routinely clapping your hands when the dog is relaxed. Do it at odd hours and make it a routine that varies. As the dog gets used to that sound, move on to pots and pans. Many stores sell relaxation tapes and discs that come with the sounds of thunderstorms. Use these to familiarize the sound with your dog. When the dog doesn't jump or start at the sound, give him or her a special treat as a reward. It will take time, but eventually the dog will get over his or her fear of noise.
Use patience when working with your dog to overcome fears and anxieties. Given time, there is little that a dog will not readily accept.
