How to HELP Your Dog with Fear and Anxiety in 3 Steps!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ค. 2020
- Have a dog who is struggling with fear and anxiety? In this video, Denise shares 3 easy tips that will help you and your dog. Fear and anxiety in dogs can be challenging, frustrating and scary to deal with, and we want to help you and your dog find some relief!
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loved this
Love your advice. My rescue dog Ive had for 7 months now and when I first got him he had a lot of subtle anxious tendencies. Not barking/aggressive so much as subtle shaking, lot of pacing, seperation anxiety for sure. Very fearful of other dogs and cars that hed freeze and shake whenever near one. Me having anxiety myself I did what Id want when Im anxious, get away from the situation slowly, a nice meal, hydration, space to do what makes me happy (in his case walks and smelling everything). Lot of patience for but its worth it cause now hes greeting other dogs calmly if slowly, loves people still, and hes such an angel on walks and crossing the street now cause he knows after the street he gets to the good bushes and trees to sniff. I let him roll around on grass to his hearts content and neighbors ask if hes ok and he is, just being a dog and rolling on the grass makes him happy and hurts no one even if he looks odd doing it lol.
Great observations of your dog. And good for you for honoring his anxiety and finding ways to help him cope. Love that you let him roll in the grass and be dog! YEAH!
@@EverythingDog thank you! It's reassuring knowing I am doing right by my dog. He's such a good boy and I love walking him now cause all it requires is patience and allowing him to be a dog and do his thing at his pace. If only everyone trained their dogs and walked their dogs often to let them explore patiently so mine didn't have to deal with their natural energy. So often on walks we come across hyperactive "pure breed" dogs that aren't treated patiently and are aggressively anxious theyd attack mine but thankfully my dog now knows to walk away and trust me to get him away from the aggro dogs before it escalates.
Hello, could you tell me how look did it take for your dog to feel a bit better? I adopted a rescued dog 4 months ago and she is still afraid of lots of things, I’m talking things slowly and only doing what she likes/wants, but she stills hide when she sees a human or another dog. We are treating her with lots of love and patience and with a professional dog trainer but i would love to know more about your situation and experience if you don’t mind. Thank you
i have a very nervous border collie at home and im gonna follow your advice because she's been banking at random people for no reason lately, thank you for making this video!!
Erin, good for you. Glad the video is helpful.
This has been a very helpful video to begin to clue me in to where my dog currently is and her fear and anxiety levels. We have an 11-year-old dog, Havanese, that is very aggressive towards any other puppy, dog or cat that tries to get near to my husband or I. She is also very aggressive towards our cat if she gets anywhere close to her food bowl or a chew toy. She will actually take a chew toy and lay it in the floor and then lie in wait for the cat to walk by so she can pounce on her. We recently got a new puppy and have been trying to introduce him to her but it has not been going very well because we just aren’t sure how to gradually help her become OK with his presence, especially knowing that she is so aggressive towards other animals. We live in the country so she has not been socialized with other animals a lot other than at the groomers, which by the way she doesn’t seem to have any issues when she goes there. Please help us find a way to make her comfortable in excepting the new puppy into our home.
And I agree with the other person who commented here. Your channel is filled with excellent information and I’m not sure how I’ve missed you in all the searches that I have done. Thanks again for all your help!
Hi Donna. Most aggression is rooted in fear and/or anxiety. Your Havanese sounds like she has both. I wouldn't allow her to set up the cat with guarding toys. Remove the toys, or remove the dog to her crate, pen or another room to give the cat a break from all the stress she is living under. You do not want your dog to practice all this aggressive behavior. Living in the country is great and it also did NOT cause this problem. This is a genetic issue. Just like coat color, bad hips etc. Personality ie temperament is genetic. Please keep the puppy protected from the Havenese. You don't want the puppy to become defensive. I'd be happy to help you, help the Havanese been less worried about the puppy. It's going to take lots of time. Nice and slow. I would suggest an Initial Consult. You can use this link: Everythingdog.as.me/VirtualInitialConsultation
Your 11 yr old dog is resource guarding from the cat and your new puppy. Socialization the lack thereof, or too much has nothing to do with this particular behavior.
I'll be frank if you knew she didn't like other animals, why did you get a puppy? There isn't magic that will help. Your 11 yr old dog needs to be behind a baby gate and or an exercise pen to keep her from traumatizing your new puppy.
If your new puppy gets attacked, threatened etc by the 11 yr old, she too will become aggressive toward other dogs. Sometimes we miss the point. Sometimes people say to me "There was no blood or no physical damage"....that's not the point. The point is there was a LOT OF EMOTIONAL trauma. Think about how you would feel if you walked into your house and were beaten up, no physical damage....there would be a lot of trauma. (I hope this isn't a trigger for you)
Your 11 yr old dog needs to have the right feedback that will tell her guarding will NO LONGER work. Id suggest scheduling a 2 hour behavior consultation so I can help you, help your new puppy and the 11 yr old find harmony. You can use this link: everythingdog.as.me/VirtualBehavioralConsultation
thank you for this! this is so so helpful. i cant believe i’m the first comment lol
I just want to say thank you so much for bringing these tips. Our puppy has a high level of anxiety and so many people tell me it's normal. But my wife and I notice that she is extremely shy towards other dogs during our first training. I think being able to accept this as she is not like extroverted dogs with a more fearful temperament is something we are adjusting to from our previous dog experience. The high reward value is extremely helpful and we are just making sure she is comfortable.
Do you happen to have any tips for anxious puppies (3-4 month old) that is constantly not listening even with high value rewards when they're outside whether it be in a remote area or for just a very small walk in the neighborhood? Any help is much appreciated! Thank you so much again for this video!
Hey Jerome, if your puppy can't "listen" she's too nervous. Think about being on a plane, chatting with the person sitting next to you, when all of a sudden, the oxygen masks release and the plane starts to dive, suddenly you simply can NOT pay attention to what is being said.
Give you puppy more distance from whatever is causing her to be nervous. Lable everything she sees and keep your outings short so she doesn't get overswhelmed. Less is more in her case.
@@EverythingDog thank you so much!! We’ll keep these things in mind!
Hi there, today my 7 yr old rescue Molly, had a panic attack whilst walking through a fairly busy town. We'd passed a butchers shop, and i think this was the trigger. I normally walk my two rescues in a quiet area. This has happened before. I never try to walk them in busy conditions as this has happened before when passing another butchers shop near me, and another time when we were on holiday so out of her usual walking place.
These attacks come completely out of the blue, and i struggle to stop her from wriggling out of her harness to run away. There is no aggression in her just the desire to run from whats triggering her. I managed to wrestle her into a kind shop owners place who said to bring her in to calm her down. I spoke sharply to Molly to bring her down, but soothing also.
Ive resolved to invest in a new made to fit harness and to walk her with two leads, one on her collar and one on her harness. Im really anxious to try walking in any busy area, even to try and solve the problem especially as i have a second dog, (rescue from breeding), who has her own issues.
Im wondering if, on any occasion i have to walk her in a busy area, the best thing is to double lead her, and take some favourite treats.
My question to you, is, do you think I can ever solve her panic attacks, which come right out if the blue, with no warning at all?
In the 7 years ive had Molly, this is probably the 5th time it has happened.....
You've given some good tips on your video, and i thank you for posting it, i do appreciate it. 😊
Patricia, many times we think a dog's behavior comes out of the blue, but there are many mico body movements (language) dogs use to express their stress and we simply miss them because we don't know how to "read" dog language. Yawning is a sign of stress, panting if it's not hot out = stress, scratching at their neck = stress, and a full body shake-off is a dog trying to reduce the stress they feel. There are other ones, turning her head, licking her lips, drooling. I wonder if you videoed her if you'd see more than you think is happening with her.
I would avoid busy areas and known triggers for her. She doesn't have a "delete" button to erase the scary things that have happened to her. Neither do people. Honor who she is, walk her in the woods, quiet neighborhoods or just let her stay home for a few days to decompress after the butcher shop incident.
As far as safety. Use a martingale collar, they are designed to not let dogs slip out of them. If you feel better about double leashing by all means do that too but stop walking her anywhere that is scary for her. It's not fair to her.
@@EverythingDog thank you very much for replying so promptly....I realise now that whilst we were walking, in between sniffing the ground, Molly was on alert with ears pricked. This is the 3rd time this has happened near a butcher shop. So I'm thinking the smell of blood/death is her trigger.
Luckily, I live in a quiet area close to a country park. I must never forget this last incident. I blame myself entirely. I will carry on walking my girls in our quiet area, but will invest in a new harness and the collar you mentioned.
Thank you for your help! ☺️
Can you please tell me what cannI do. It's thunderstorm or thundering she is only afraid of
I have extremely anxious 5yo female who grows all the time. She is so unhappy and we simply dont know what to do... We cannot pin point the trigger. She grows when she is with someone or alone, no difference at all. One second she is happy and straight after she is growling walking away then coming back and again walking off. She shakes a lot when she is in this state. She went through stage like this 2 years ago and then she was fine. Since the beginning of April she is that way again. She is much worse at home although outdoors issues are happening. She has never bit anyone or anything but this is affecting her badly as well as a whole household. We have 7months old boy and he doesnt understand why is she like this, why she dont want to play and it worries me that this will affect him too 😢
Aga, thanks for the comment. I would take your dog to see a Veterinary Behaviorist. She sounds like this could be Conflict aggression, or a seizure type episode. Can't diagnose over YT! Keeping your baby away from the dog is a good idea for many reasons, but espeically because your dog is in such distress. Good luck.
@Everything Dog we have been referred to a veterinary behaviourist, although she is marked as an urgent case, her appointment is a month away. She is on Gabapentin and Trazadone but no improvement at all. When they rang to told us about appointment, my husband highlighted urgency, they replied with "you need to assess quality of her life"😭. I know that you cannot diagnose her over the YT, but you are one of very very few who talk about anxiety as 90% of videos are discussing separation anxiety only.
I really hope we will not need to put her down as we are doing everything in our power to help her have to be happy, that's what she deserves... 😢
@@agawalke7339 Excellent. All veterinarians and Behavior vets are booked solid. Im glad it's only 1 month. I would ask your primary care vet to start her on Prozac at a dose that is 50% of her max dosage. She needs to adjust to the meds slowly. Many vets will just Rx the full amount and that is not advised. Also, Id be happy to have a zoom consultation with you. You can book here: everythingdog.as.me/VirtualBehavioralConsultation
@@agawalke7339 Those are super heavy drugs for any dog. Does your dog have company? Another dog? Dogs are pack animals and need company. (if those heavy drugs aren't working it isn't the dog - it's her personality)
I always cross the street and he still goes crazy especially if it's a German Shepherd, Husky or Akita. Sometimes to the extent of biting me in a height of anxiety.
Redirected aggression can be scary. Id suggest walking him on a gentle leader so you have control of his head. And maybe give him a few weeks without walking so his nervous system can calm down. Sounds like he has some past trauma that is still affecting him.
My dog English Cocker Spaniel is very stressful in the car. We would like to bring our dogs for drives, but she pants a lot, that it be a 10 minutes drive to an hour or more. I need help desparately.
Janice, there isn't any one thing I can tell you that will help your dog. How old? What is her history in the car? If she doesn't have to go, don't take her. Exposing her more and more to it will not necessarily help her. For long rides that are necessary, you may want to ask your vet for a medication that will help knock her out so she doesn't have to experience all that stress.
..our rescue (5 yrold) Brittany/lab mix , her anxiety/panic attacks have gotten more frequent and severe she crawls up on me (she's 56lbs) and literally vibrates...pairing high value treats as you refer to them has not worked, nor has redirected behavior activities as she IS so "locked in" to the episode
any suggestions?
(her vet prescribed trazadone, which doesn't seem to help much or really at all)but we dont see this as a ling term or healthy option
-tracee ( LeRoy's wife)
Sounds like she may need Prozac. Trazadone is best for episodes, but still not great. If she is that nervous/anxious the poor dog is living in a nightmare. I would try meds to reset her nervous system, then some training.
Hi .. my 2 yrs old lab has suddenly reluctant to go out of my society for his relieving. if i forcefully take him , he manages to remove his leash and runs in side. How to solve this problem?? as I can't relieve him inside the society
I think I understand what you are saying here. Use a martingale collar that he can not slip out of, or use a slip lead and keep the tension on it so he can't slip out. Give him treats for being outside, OR take him to a different area. It sounds like something scared him and that is why he's running back inside.
I have one dog that cries and hides during car rides. He’ll scratch at the windows, jump everywhere, and hurts himself doing so. He also constantly bites his skin and tears out his hair. The vet said they usually only see that in cats. He also barks at people passing the house and dogs like he’s crazy, when we try to pick him up and calm him down he’ll try to squirm out and push off of us. We’ve had him since he was a puppy. Is it possible for a dog to be born with anxiety? Please advise what you think I should do for him. I don’t know how I can help him.
Wow, this is a serious behavior issue and NOT NORMAL! Hurting himself, and pulling hair out is not normal. I would get him on antianxiety meds ASAP. Not Trazadone, go for Prozac.
Regarding his barking out the windows. Leave a 6' leash on him when he is inside. AS soon as he starts his barking, pick up the leash, say TOO BAD in a neutral voice and place him in time out. This could be his crate, you could tie him to the refrigerator. the goal is that he loses access to you and the window and you ignore him 200%. He comes out of time out when he is calm.
My Dog is 2 years old , but I am struggling to figure out how to get my dog to the hospital as he hates it , also , to prevent my dog to lick his injury or medicines ; I tried to put the cone type collar on his neck to prevent him to do that but the moment i get near him with that collar he starts barking like crazy and runs to sleep in another corner. Does anyone know what should I do?
Anime, sounds like you need to motivate your dog more. Use chicken to help him make a fun, positive association with the cone. And it's ok to put it on him, even if he doesn't like it. We all have to do things we don't like to do. So do our dogs.
I have a 13 year old lab. Two different answers of what is wrong with him. Started out gagging White Foam. Now, they say Laryngeal Paralysis , Fluid in the Lungs. Breathing has become an issue. In the house he is fine. Going outside, now has been rough. Gagging turns into peeing and BM. Trying to get air. Now, ((( Q: Can this all be Anxiety?))) We have a Appointment Next week to put him down. My Lab, is eating and drinking great!! I have tried steam shower( he had his first seizure) No more of that. Been using vaporizer, and is on meds. I am starting to think this is ANXIETY Big time... instead of what the Dr. are saying. Do you have any other thoughts?
I have also heard about that Contagious Pneumonia, And also thought maybe this was the problem. And heard there is no cure yet.
Wow, that sounds horrifying for you and your dog! What happened to your dog outside that could be triggering this response? Can you remember anything? If he's "normal" in the house, are you able to take him into the yard to potty without all the physical commotion happening?
It could be anxiety, but Id need a lot more information to know for sure. You can book a 50 minute Virtual Ask Me Anything here: everythingdog.as.me/AskMeAnything
I couldn’t understand the pairing part. Do you mean give them a treat ?
Yes, pair it with a super yummy, super high value treat such as baked and cut up chicken breast, cut up meatballs, cheese etc.
Mam my dog is afraid of thundering. She gets stressed when it thunders and is afraid and exhales as dogs do
So sorry to hear that your dog is worried/afraid of thunder. Have you tried a thundershirt? th-cam.com/video/DkohO0G_OrI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=I-iKYbR4thdxT_a0. Some dogs require medication if the anxiety is too severe.
@@EverythingDog Thank you. I will surely try this out
Hi, do you have a source for the claim that genetics is responsible for nervousness and anxiety 98% of the time please. I'd like to read it?
Crotchet, I do not have a source. 30+ years of training dogs and people is a good history. Think of people and how hereditary our traits are from our mom and dad and even further back than that. Nature vs nurture. And it is clearly more than just genes, there is prior learning (not obedience learning, life learning) is the environment the dog is living in, are their needs being met? Are they going "crrazy" because they are hard-wired to herd cattle, but they are living in a pet dog home....bored to tears??? It's a complicated topic with lots of influences.
@@EverythingDog ok thanks.
My dog doesn’t lunge and bark. He backs away and tries to run away from new people.
Victoria, remember, it's fight or flight, and your dog is trying to get away from people he doesn't know. Help him out by moving the people away or setting up strategic baby gates so your guests can't get near him. He needs to know you will protect him.
Distance??? My dog is fearful in the house! He hears dogs barking outside, leaf blower outside, cars outside, etc, etc... how do I distance myself in this situation? Also, if it's genetic, why even try? It sounds like it won't work.
Hey Kelly, this situation sounds very frustrating. Your poor dog! How awful for him being so scared all the time even in his home! The poor baby. There is a lot to unpack here and more than what I can provide in a youtube video. My first suggestion is to talk to him. Tell him/ Explain to him what the sounds are, just like you would to a toddler. "Oh, hey, did you hear that? It's just the leaf blower next door." Repeat it as you take him outside so he can see what is causing the sound. If you can throw in some meatballs, cheese etc while you explain to him, even better. There are many other things, but explaining the world to him would be the place to start.
what about rain? he's scared of rain
Hey Maxgreen, rain can cause a dog fear and anxiety because it is a predictor of Thunder. If the fear is really just rain, I would try a box fan and very yummy meaty bones to see if those will override the fear.
@@EverythingDog no he's connected the rain, and the smell of rain to thunder. what's a box fan?
@@maxgreen9967 a box fan is a large square fan. www.amazon.com/Simple-Deluxe-3-Speed-Aerodynamic-Convenient/dp/B0BTRYL4TR/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=25YP1ROVB7I7V&keywords=box%2Bfan&qid=1696292821&sprefix=box%2Bfan%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1 . They seem to divert sound waves differently than other fans. No guarantee, but worth a try.
Frankly I don't buy dogs get anxiety. It has to be a projection of the owners problems. No one in the 1800s was complaining of dog anxiety. An anxious dog is a worthless dog.
Blackbeard this is a great observation. When I was a kid growing up in the 1970's dogs didn't have anxiety either. Dogs were ALLOWED to be dogs (Kids were kids more too!) No leash laws, dogs ran loose, hunting, digging, and rolling in smelly stuff. They self-fulfilled their genetic cup. And I agree with you totally, in the 1800's anxious dogs would not have survived for so many reasons. We also were not selectively breeding dogs for appearances and shedding or not shedding.
Now, dogs are kept home all freaking day, no walks, no sniffing - everyone wants their dogs to be "obedient". And God forbid you live in the Northeast where the majority of people don't walk in the winter! And doggie daycare is the worst thing ever. Dogs were not meant or designed to stand in a room all day, overcrowded with 10, or 20 dogs. IT BREEDS ANXIETY.
So, I agree, anxiety didn't exist in the 1800, but today it most certainly does, some is genetic and some is because we ask our dogs such unrealistic things.
@@EverythingDog Well written. What this comes down to is Dogs are animals and should be treated as such. They aren't babies, they aren't human they are animals. They live a better life when treated as such.
Wow, have you heard of empathy?
@@bd09mj Yes. But dogs dont get anxious so there can't be any empathy for something that isn't real.
Dogs are mammals. Humans are mammals. We share similar nervous systems, so yes, dogs can get anxious too.