After a puppy adoption, the first thing you will notice is his discomfort when it comes normal noises like fireworks, car trips and other noises. Your dog will also not be okay with other pets including dogs of the same breed. They may also not want to be left alone. The one thing all these conditions have in common is anxiety. Just like humans, dogs are prone to anxiety. It can range from mundane to terrifying.
Studies show that almost 29% of dogs in homes experience some form of anxiety. Anxiety is usually the main reason why people return dogs to the shelter. There is a good chance you will notice some anxiety problems after your next dog adoption. The good news is that there are numerous solutions that can be used to manage this problem. They include behavior training and medication.
What is dog anxiety?
By definition, anxiety is anticipation of future dangers from imagined or unknown origins that lead to physiological reactions associated with fear. To distinguish real fear from anxiety in your pet, you need to take a look at the main symptoms.
Dogs and humans share a number of symptoms of anxiety. They include nervous behaviors, avoidance techniques and ticks. Dogs also show anxiety symptoms like displacement behavior which are normal behaviors in normal situations but are a sign of anxiety when they occur outside of normal situations. Some symptoms to watch out for after a puppy rescue include:
- Low tail where only the tip wags
- Running or hiding away
- Shaking, scratching or biting parts of the body that aren’t injured
- Defecating or urinating in the room away from pets and people
- Ears back or sideways with heavy panting
- Soft, round eyes that might squint without the white showing
- Relaxed mouth that looks as if the dog is smiling
- Ears forward, alert and pointed in the direction of the subject
- Relaxed body posture with relaxed muscles and smooth hairs
You need to keep a keen eye on your dog. This is the only way you will be able to know what is normal and what abnormal behavior is. Catching anxiety problems early will be a great step towards treating it.
Treatment for dog anxiety
Not all anxiety related problems can be remedied easily. Some require the combination of treatments and patience. The good news is that you never have to worry too much about anxiety problems in a dog rescue. There are treatments that have been devised that actually work. They include:
- Medication
For this treatment, you will have to talk to your vet. Sedatives and tranquillizers, anti-anxiety/anti-depression medications will be used. Watch out for the side effects that come with these medications.
- Training
A good trainer will help correct behavioral problems. This is the most recommended option after a dog adoption. The trainer uses such training techniques as distraction, desensitization, calming and behaviors.
- Natural therapies
- Prevention
Anxiety problems can be treated. You only need to find someone to help with the conditions that are affecting your pet. All things considered, prevention is the best cure. Avoid the anxiety triggers.