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HEALTH & CARE TIPS FOR DOGS
Anxiety Can Plague Pets, Too

In many households, pets are seen as full-fledged members of the family. And why not? Many pets, be it a dog, cat or other animal, light up a room upon entering. However, some pets suffer from problems more commonly associated with humans.

One such problem is anxiety. While it may seem hard to believe a household pet who naps all day and plays with members of the family all night can have anxiety, it's actually common for pets, particularly dogs, to suffer from anxiety issues. For dog owners, these issues can be very disconcerting, as no one wants to see their pet with a sad face or behave in a way that makes the dog difficult to live with.

How Do I Know?
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), feelings of anxiety in dogs are often the result of an attachment disorder known as separation anxiety. Dogs are especially social animals and many struggle with being alone. Some indicators that your dog could be suffering from separation anxiety include the following.

• Destructive behavior: Anxiety can cause a dog to behave destructively with his teeth, whether it's destroying furniture, biting through walls, or other destructive behavior.
  
  
• Soiling the house: A dog that's house trained but starts to randomly urinate or soil the house is exhibiting symptoms of anxiety.
  
  
• Excessive barking, growling or grunting: This can seem as though your dog is mad at you, but it's a sign of something deeper than that.
  
  
• Feelings begin as you prepare to leave: The telltale sign of anxiety is if your dog begins to worry or act depressed as you prepare to leave. Another indicator is the dog's behavior when you get home. If your dog gets hyperactive and begins to act as if you've been gone a lifetime, anxiety could be to blame.

Why Is This Happening?
For loving dog owners, seeing your dog cope with anxiety issues can be very depressing. Many dogs wear their hearts on their sleeves, making it more heartwrenching to owners if the dog seems upset.

Many things can actually trigger anxiety in a dog.

• A traumatic event: Like many humans, dogs exhibit adverse reactions when faced with a traumatic event in their life. The death of another pet, for instance, can be very troubling for a dog.
  
  
• Moving: A new home could very well trigger anxiety in a dog.
  
  
• A new addition to the family: Whether it's a new pet or a child, dogs could begin to harbor feelings of anxiety when the composition of the family changes.
  
  
• Boarding or hospitalization: Again, like humans, animals don't like being in a hospital for extended periods of time. Similarly, if you go on extended vacation and need to board your animal, anxiety could result.

Other factors that can contribute are the dog's breed or age. The ASPCA notes that purebreds are more likely to suffer separation anxiety than mixed breeds, while older dogs forced to move are more susceptible to such feelings as well.

What Can I Do?
Fortunately, there are several steps dog owners can take to lessen a dog's anxiety. Before taking those steps, however, dog owners need to know that patience plays a huge role. A dog already suffering from anxiety will react very negatively to an impatient owner, and chances are great the existing feelings of anxiety will grow even stronger. Even raising your voice is a bad idea, as it will further instill the fear that is common in dogs with anxiety.

While those are things you can't do, here are some things you can:

• Create a better "alone" experience. If you can, minimize the amount of time your dog spends alone each day. When your dog does need to be alone, try and associate that time with as many positive things as you can. A great way to do this by using toys designed to keep your dog busy while you're away, such as those with holes in the middle that you can stuff treats into. These toys are good for keeping your dog occupied. Initially, after giving your dog such toys, leave the room for very short periods of time (30 seconds, for instance) and then re-enter. If your dog starts to think each time you leave will only be a few seconds, his separation anxiety will begin to decrease. Gradually increase the time between leaving and re-entering.
  
  If you experience success with this method, every so often revert back to leaving and re-entering the room at short intervals. This will work to reinforce your dog's belief that you'll be right back.
  
  
• Use a professional. If you know you'll be away for longer periods than your dog can handle, your efforts to reduce his anxiety will be aided greatly if you hire a dog sitter or take him to doggy daycare.
  
  Should neither of the above-mentioned approaches result in success, your dog probably needs a behavior specialist. Consult your local veterinarian and make sure someone is with your dog at all times until the problem is resolved.

Source: Metro Creative

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