Category: Behavior

What Are Signs of Anxiety In Dogs?

Signs of anxiety in dogs include excessive barking, hiding, shaking, panting, excess energy, aggression, and destruction. Anxiety is a common problem among pets, and the results aren’t just inconvenient—they can be dangerous. Fortunately, these symptoms and the underlying anxiety are often treatable through medication, behavior therapy, or a combination of the two.

Knowing What to Look For In An Anxious Dog 

There is no one list of symptoms that will apply to every dog with anxiety. The condition is a sliding scale that includes very mild cases, extremely severe cases, and anything in between. Some of the things to look for include:

  • Hiding During a Stressful Situation: Take note of dogs who cower under a bed or in a corner.
  • Shaking and Panting: Panting without a reason is a common symptom of anxiety. 
  • Excessive Licking or Chewing: Some anxious dogs lick and chew at their fur to the point that they create hot spots.
  • Nonstop Barking and Howling: Barking at a knock on the door or other stimulus is normal, but if the barking continues after the noise has stopped, that can signal anxiety.
  • House Trained Dogs Urinating or Defecating in the House: An anxious dog who is house-trained may respond to change by going to the bathroom in the house.
  • Destructive Behavior: Destroying toys and shoes may be normal, chewing through a door or wall is not.
  • Panic Attacks: A panic attack will manifest as a combination of the above symptoms.

    If you think your pet has anxiety, talk to your vet right away. Left untreated, canine anxiety will usually become more severe and, therefore, harder to treat. There are many causes for anxiety but, no matter the root, effective treatment is possible.

    Can An Aggressive Dog Be Cured?

    In most cases, and with the right treatment, an aggressive dog can be cured—or at least the behavior can be brought under control.

    Dealing with Aggression  

    Determining the reason for the aggressive behavior is the first step. Two of the most common reasons include:

    Pain 

    If the aggression started all of a sudden, there is a good chance it’s due to pain or an illness. Schedule a thorough vet exam to determine if there is a medical cause for the behavior. In most cases, once the medical condition has been dealt with, the aggression will cease.

    Fear 

    When dogs become afraid, they may run or they may stand their ground and fight. Of course, some fear is healthy, but when your dog becomes aggressive every time someone visits your home or he encounters other animals at the vet’s office or park, you’ll need to take action. Hire a reputable trainer or animal behaviorist to work with your dog. It may take some time, but it’s likely that your pet’s fears can be brought under control.

    Other reasons for aggressive behavior in dogs include:

    • Resource Guarding: Your dog becomes aggressive when anyone approaches while he is eating or playing with a favorite toy.
    • Leash Aggression: If the only time your dog is aggressive is when the leash goes on, it’s likely because he feels a sense of frustration with being restrained. 

    Whatever the cause for your dog’s aggression, with the right help from a talented animal behaviorist, the behavior can be brought under control. Do not, however, ignore aggression. Instead, get help at the first sign.

    As you work on figuring out a cause for the aggression and finding a resolution, it’s important to keep your dog away from anything that triggers his aggression and to keep him away from children, other people, and other pets in order to ensure your dog doesn’t cause harm.

    An Important Note

    There is no such thing as a dog breed that is more aggressive than another. Pitbulls and Dobermans are not more likely to display aggressive behavior than Chihuahuas or Labs. In the right circumstances, any dog can become aggressive. 

    Why Do Dogs Jump Up?

    Dogs jump up because it’s a natural instinct and a form of greeting when they are excited to see you or another person. While the behavior isn’t a reflection of the dog being bad, it is still something you’ll want to be able to control—especially if the dog is bigger. Even if you appreciate this form of greeting, others may not, and it could even lead to injury if the dog jumps on a child or an elderly person.

    How To Teach Your Dog Not To Jump 

    Since jumping is an instinct rather than a misbehavior, punishing your dog isn’t necessarily the right approach. Instead, you just want to teach your dog that jumping isn’t the best way to get the attention he wants. 

    Over time, he’ll figure out that jumping up is a good way to be ignored and that sitting quietly is a great way to get treats and attention. 

    In order for this to be effective, make sure that everyone in your household is treating your dog the same way. Once your dog behaves properly for the family, have people he doesn’t know come over to be sure the training is translating to visitors as well as people he knows.

    When teaching any type of behavior to your dog, it’s helpful to have the basic commands, such as sit and stay, mastered. If you’re having trouble teaching these behaviors on your own, consider investing in some classes with a reputable trainer in your area. 

    What is Nuisance Dog Barking?

    Nuisance dog barking is barking that interferes with the comfort, peace, and convenience of other people. How much barking constitutes nuisance barking is largely open to interpretation. If your neighbors are complaining to animal control, you’ll likely need to look into ways to minimize the barking. Even if your pet’s barking doesn’t meet the legal definition of nuisance barking, you’ll want to keep the peace with your neighbors.

    How to Stop Your Dog from Barking

    Some dogs bark more than others no matter the stimulus. If yours is prone to excessive barking, there are some things you can try to curb the behavior such as: 

    • Keeping A Daily Routine – Many dogs will find a daily routine reassuring, which can reduce anxiety-driven barking. Keep their feeding, walking, training, playtime, and your arrivals and departures at or near the same times every day. 
    • Changing Your Dog’s Environment – If you normally leave him outside (which is not a safe solution,) try crating him. If he’s normally crated, try securing him in a single room instead. If you know what triggers the barking, such as the mailman, confine your dog to a part of the house where he won’t be able to see the mailman coming. 
    • Making Sure Your Pet Gets Plenty of Exercise – Some excessive barking is just about boredom. Give your dog plenty of exercise, long walks, and playtime. If possible, have a dog walker come by mid-day to break up the time your dog is alone. Don’t forget mental exercise as well – it is just as important as physical exercise. Obedience, agility training, or playing with puzzle toys are great intellectual exercises that can be practiced daily.
    • Talking To Your Vet About Anxiety –  If nothing helps, your dog may have anxiety. In that case, your vet may be able to suggest calming products or, in severe cases, medication that will help. 

    What is considered nuisance barking varies by location as does how strictly such laws are enforced. If your neighbors are reasonable, let them know you’re sorry and that you’re working on curbing the excessive barking. If you can’t talk to your neighbor and they call animal control on you, tell the officer the same thing.

    Don’t panic and try to rehome your pet. In most cases, you’ll be able to find a solution for your dog’s barking. You may need the help of a vet or animal behaviorist, but it will be well worth it in order to be able to keep your dog in your home and maintain a good relationship with your neighbors. 

    Are Shock Collars Safe for Dogs?

    Shock collars are not always safe for dogs and we never recommend using them. Using pain, however mild, fear, and other punishment tactics aren’t the best methods of training your pet. Instead, consider positive reinforcements and other methods that won’t instill fear in your four-legged family members.

    Alternatives to Shock Collars 

    Instead of delivering an electric shock to your pooch, there are plenty of other options that are effective, safe, and humane. These include:

    Clicker Training 

    This popular method of dog training is simple and effective. When your dog exhibits the desired behavior, you click the clicker and immediately give a treat. This helps the dog understand exactly what he did right and makes it much easier for him to pick up on your training efforts.

    Distracting Your Dog 

    Instead of yelling at your dog when he’s doing something wrong, distract him. If you catch him chewing your shoe, calmly take it away and replace it with an appropriate chew toy.

    Ignoring Bad Behavior 

    Some of your dog’s inappropriate behavior is probably a bid for attention. Completely ignore him when he displays such behaviors. Don’t talk to him. Don’t yell at him. Don’t even look at him. Only when the behavior stops should you acknowledge him.

    Professional Training 

    If what you’re doing isn’t working or if the issues seem too big to handle on your own, call on the services of a highly rated animal trainer or animal behaviorist. They’ll help to put your dog on the right track and give both you and your pet the skills you need to continue successful training on your own.

    With so many available alternatives, there is no reason to choose shock collars as a training method for your pet. Whatever you’re trying to achieve, it can be done without physical punishments. Whether on your own or with the help of a trainer, positive training is the way to go.

     

    How Long Does It Take a Corgi to Get Used to a New Home?

    It will take your new Corgi exactly as much time as she needs to get used to a new home. Typically, it will take a few weeks to a few months for a dog to get accustomed to a new space. However, because each dog is unique, there’s no hard and fast answer that will work for every Corgi. The personality of your new dog, along with her age, can be roles in how quickly they adjust. Often, younger dogs will adjust faster than older dogs who have become accustomed to their old homes and owners.

    Regardless, there are things that you can do to help make the transition easier for your dog when they first come to your home. These tips can help to speed up the acclimatization process.

    Let Her Decompress and Have Some Space

    When she first comes home, she’ll be nervous. She needs to meet you and everyone else who lives in the house, of course, but she’ll also need some time to herself in many cases. Make sure she has a space she can head to when she wants to be alone, such as her own dog bed. Those first few days, she’ll be both nervous and curious. Let her explore.

    Additionally, when she’s still new isn’t the time to bring all of your friends over to look at her and play with her. Let her get used to everyone in the family before others start to come over. Otherwise, she’ll feel overwhelmed, and it could take her even longer to feel at home.

    Make Yourself Available When She Needs You

    Although she should have time to herself if she wants it, you still want to be available when she wants to be around you. Make her feel welcome to any of the family activities that you’re doing whether it’s hanging out in the yard or sitting together in the living room to watch television. Play with her, pet her, and give her a few treats. Make her feel as though she’s part of the family and it can help the process along faster.

    Start a Routine

    You’ll want to start a routine as soon as she arrives, too. This means feeding and walking her on a schedule and making sure she has plenty of trips outside for the bathroom. Even if you have a yard that’s fenced in, you’ll want to be outside with her when she heads out to use the bathroom or play during those first weeks. Sometimes, dogs that feel nervous might try to escape and find their old owner.

    Remember to be as patient as needed when she’s getting used to the new house and new family. She’s going through a lot even though she might not be able to express it. This means that she might have some tummy problems or bathroom accidents. In time, though, she’ll start to feel more comfortable, and you’ll feel like she’s always been part of the family.

    How Do You Treat A Dog With Anxiety?

    You can treat a dog with anxiety with natural remedies, medication, and/or behavioral modification. What helps your dog may be different than what helps another dog. What will work best for your pet depends on several factors, such as the age of the dog and the severity of the anxiety. Effective remedies include calming products such as collars and diffusers, herbal supplements, prescription medication, and behavioral modification.

    Treating Your Dog for Anxiety: Where To Start 

    The first step is to determine the severity of your dog’s anxiety. Symptoms of mild cases include whining, urinating in the house, and pacing. At the other end of the spectrum are the dogs who will chew holes in the walls to escape, destroy everything they can reach, and bark and howl nonstop.

    If you’re not sure on which end of the spectrum your dog falls, you could try some of the simpler methods and then move on to more rigorous treatments if they don’t work. Keep in mind that the longer your pet goes without getting effective treatment, the worse the anxiety may get.

    That’s why visiting your vet sooner rather than later is a good idea because she will assess your pet’s behavior and develop a treatment plan that gives your pup the best chance for success. Possible treatments include:

    Natural Medications 

    Herbs, pheromones, and other natural remedies provide excellent results for some dogs. Keep in mind that even though these products are available without a prescription, you should still talk to your vet before giving them to your dog.

    Prescription Medications 

    Several prescription medications are approved for treating anxiety in dogs. Each works in a different way, so finding what is most effective for your pet may take some trial and error.

    Behavior Modification 

    An animal behaviorist can show you how to replace your pet’s negative feelings about being alone with positive ones. This takes some time, but this method has helped many dogs overcome anxiety.

    Set your dog on the path towards an anxiety-free life. Effectively treating your pet’s anxiety isn’t just good for him—it’s good for you as well. 

    Can You Train An Aggressive Dog?

    It is possible to train an aggressive dog, and some formerly hostile dogs are now much-loved family pets. While many aggressive dogs can be trained, you will likely need to call on the help of a professional in order to get positive, lasting results. It’s also important to keep an aggressive dog away from other pets and people until your dog no longer shows signs of aggression.

    How Aggressive Is Too Aggressive To Be Trained? 

    There is no easy answer to that question. Many dogs, no matter how terrible their circumstances, are able to be rehabilitated and become calm and loving family dogs.
    But why are some dogs good candidates and others are not? Many factors are involved including the reason for the aggression and the temperament of the dog. Like humans, all dogs are different, and each will respond differently to training. 

    If you have an aggressive dog in your home, do not ignore the problem. The aggression isn’t going to cure itself. That being said, don’t lose all hope at the first sign of aggression. In many cases, the right training and treatment will get your dog to the place where he can stay in your home.

    Sudden Aggression 

    If your normally docile pooch is suddenly aggressive, it’s very likely that a medical condition is the cause. Make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. Once the medical concern has been addressed, it’s likely that the aggression will be eliminated.

    Most aggressive dogs can be trained but, again, safety must be your first concern. Until your dog is no longer showing signs of aggression, remove any chance of a tragic situation occurring by not allowing your dog to be around people or other pets.

    Also, do your rehome_research about the animal trainer you hire. Not all trainers are skilled in working with aggressive pets. Instead, find an animal behaviorist with a proven track record of helping aggressive dogs. Your vet may be able to provide recommendations. 

    Does Dog Daycare Help With Socialization?

    Dog daycare can help with socialization and it can be a great alternative to leaving your pet home alone all day while you’re at work. Even if you can’t afford to send your dog every day, two or three days a week is enough to help him learn how to behave around other dogs and to get used to interacting with new dogs. This is especially useful if your dog is an only pet.

    Is Dog Daycare Right For All Dogs? 

    While doggy daycare is a great resource for many dogs, some pet parents should find another way to socialize their pet. Examples of situations when doggy daycare may not be right for your dog include:

    Pet Has Not Yet Had Full Vaccine Series 

    When kids go off to kindergarten, they are exposed to all kinds of germs from the other kids. The same is true of doggy daycare. If your pet is not fully immunized against parvo and other diseases, it’s best not to send him to doggy daycare. Talk to your doctor about whether your pet is ready for such an environment.

    Dog Has Shown Signs of Aggression or Is Too Shy 

    If your dog is aggressive or very shy, attending doggy daycare is not a cure. In fact, being around so many dogs and lots of strange activity could bring out the aggression or be overwhelming. It’s not fair to the other pet parents to take a chance with their pets’ safety by sending an aggressive dog into a daycare situation and it’s not kind to a very shy dog to overwhelm them in a busy dog daycare.

    Dog Is Not Fixed 

    Many doggy daycares will not allow pets who are not fixed to attend. If you find one that does, you run the risk that your dog will come home pregnant or get another dog pregnant. There are many reasons it’s beneficial to have your dog fixed, so if you want to send him to daycare, consider talking to your vet about the surgery.

    Dog daycare can be a wonderful way to help with socialization for some dogs. Remember that not all dog daycare facilities are equal. Before signing your dog up, do a couple of pop-in visits (without calling first) to see if think the environment is the right fit for your four-legged family member. 

    Do You Crate Your Dog at Night?

    Some pet owners choose to crate their dogs at night, and some dogs prefer the den-like feel of their crate. Proper crate training will turn the crate into a comfortable place where your dog feels safe and enjoys napping. While crating at night is fine, it’s important to limit the amount of time your pet spends in the crate. For example, if he is crated while you’re at work all day then he shouldn’t be crated again all night. 

    How Much Time In The Crate Is Too Much?

    Generally speaking, dogs shouldn’t be left in their crate for more than 8 hours per day total. An average dog can go 4 to 6 hours in between potty breaks, so make sure to plan accordingly so he is comfortable. Puppies shouldn’t be crated for more than 3 or 4 hours at a time.

    The crate is a useful tool when used properly. It helps immensely with potty training and, as mentioned above, provides a safe retreat for your pet. That being said, it should not be used as a way to keep the dog “out of the way” for 10+ hours a day.

    Once your dog is potty trained and has been trained to not be destructive, going into the crate should be voluntarily. Leave the door open so the pet can come and go as he wishes.

    But My Dog Is Destructive 

    If you’re leaving your dog in the crate because he is destructive, then you need to invest in training. The truth is that excessive crating will likely only make the problem worse as he’ll probably go a little crazy when he’s finally let out of his crate.

    If traditional training hasn’t worked, talk to an animal behaviorist. Whatever the reason, leaving your dog crated for 16+ hours a day is cruel.

    Crating your dog at night is an option, but as you get to know your dog, decide what is the best sleeping arrangement for him so you both can get a good night’s rest.