Dog Anxiety - 7 Tips To Help Your Pet Deal With Stress

Dog anxiety is every bit as real as the anxiety you feel. The causes may be different. Generally he doesn't worry about where his next meal will come from. But his fears and stresses are real none the less.

A nervous dog has his own fears. They can be associated with a particular person, gender or even a specific situation. A visit to the veterinarian's office for instance, is almost sure to cause anxiety in your pet. Some dogs shed excessively at the first sign of the vet's office. Dog seperation anxiety is also common. They can become stressed when their owner's are away. Noises such as thunderstorms or fireworks can cause dog anxiety. Many dogs will hide under the bed at the first sound of an approaching storm. Even a new pet entering the house or perhaps the death of an animal companion have been known to cause stress in dogs.

Obviously, the first step to prevent a dog's anxiety attack is to eliminate the cause. But this is not always possible, such as in the case of storms. Other times it's just plain difficult to determine what is causing the stress.

Here are some tips to help you ease tension in your pet.

1. If you dog has a fear of thunder or fireworks, you can pretty much forget about being able to desensitize him. It's almost impossible. Instead, try placing your pet in an area of the home where he is away from windows and doors. Perhaps keep a radio on to drown out the outside sounds.

2. Introduce new pets into the home gradually. And be sure to stick to any routines you've already established with your pet.

3. Seperation anxiety in dogs is very real. They don't like being left home alone. This stress can cause destructive behavior. Leave favorite toys around for your pet to play with. Dog whining is another way dogs show their displeasure at being left along. If you dog has shown to get along well with other animals, consider adopting a second one to keep him company.

4. Leaving a TV or radio on when you are away can also help relieve seperation anxiety.

5. Dogs can also become stressed when moving to a new home. If you're moving, take your dog to your new home before you move in. Allow him to investigate the surroundings. Give him some treats and play with him in the new home so he will associate something positive with the experience.

6. A new baby or spouse in the home is another cause of dog anxiety. Again, keep things as normal as possible. Stick to your dog's regular routine and give him plenty of attention.

7. If you dog is grieving the loss of a companion, give him plenty of love and attention. After some time, consider a new animal playmate.

One more thing you may want to consider. There are several products on the market made specifically to reduce dog anxiety. We have had success with NaturVet Quiet Moments for Dogs It's a natural way to help reduce anxiety, newvousness, tension or stress. Simply give it to your pet 30 minutes before anything that you know will cause stress such as traveling and thunderstorms.

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