Understanding Dog Anxiety: Signs, Causes and Solutions

If the past few years have given us anything, it's a greater awareness of how fragile our mental health can become. Dogs are not immune to these challenges.

Some pet experts are even saying that dog anxiety is on the rise. If you suspect your dog has anxiety, it's always good to have a strategy up your sleeve. Read on to find out how to recognise the signs of dog anxiety and how you can help your precious pooch to find some peace.

Why Do Some Pets Suffer From Dog Anxiety?

Many of us have spent more time than usual at home in the last few years. For our dogs, this period of time may have reduced the chances of coming into contact with new people, new dogs, environments and scenarios.

Environment and breed are key players in influencing a dogs temperament. Breeds prone to being highly strung also have an increased likelihood of dog anxiety.

Additionally, some dogs will, to an extent, inherit an anxious personality trait from a parent. Anxious parent dogs are more prone to having anxious puppies.

How Can I Tell if My Pet Has Dog Anxiety?

Animals suffering from dog anxiety may display symptoms like:

• Jitteriness, pacing or behaviour suggesting they're avoiding a situation or person
• Often taking a crouching body position
• Holding their tail under or flattening their ears against the head
• Panting, shaking or drooling
• A loss of appetite or upset stomach

Some highly anxious dogs go into what we refer to as “fight or flight” mode. They may try to escape or display aggressive behaviour such as biting and growling.

How Can I Prevent My New Puppy From Becoming Anxious?

Choosing a calm puppy raised in a loving environment that's free of fear will lower their chances of suffering from anxiety later in life. When choosing your puppy, aim for:

• High-quality breeders where there's plenty of positive human interaction
• Puppies with confident personalities
• A puppy that's been physically fit and strong since birth

Once your pet is at home with you, introduce them to lots of positive and loving socialisation scenarios. Expose them to plenty of other well-behaved and vaccinated dogs without overwhelming them. This is crucial before your dog reaches 4 months old but can also make a significant difference up to 8 months old.

How Can I Manage Dog Anxiety?

All pets are different but you should:

• Avoid situations that act as triggers for your pet's anxiety
• Introduce stable and predictable routines for meals, walks and training
• Never punish a dog for being anxious
• Train your dog to modify their behaviour

Sometimes solutions can be simple such as hiring a dog sitter for a few hours to mitigate the risk of separation anxiety. There are also training techniques that experts can recommend to alter your dog's reaction to certain situations.

Plush Puppy can also help with dog anxiety. The team has created Apprehension Flower Essence Drops. They are an infusion of natural essences that relieve nervous tension in dogs. Easy to administer with the dropper, they contain plant extracts such as lavender that we've used to ease anxiety for centuries.

These drops offer a gentle and effective way to alleviate anxiety in dogs. After addressing the underlying causes of their anxiety, these drops help to promote a sense of calm and relaxation, helping our beloved pets live happier, more balanced lives.

We recommend administering the Apprehension Flower Essence Drops before an anxiety-inducing visit to the vet, before you leave home or before a dog show. They're also ideal if you know of an incoming thunderstorm or fireworks display. Additionally, if your dog is anxious around other dogs, it is ideal to administer before an outing where they are likely to encounter other furry friends.

Luxury Dog Products That Can Keep Your Dog Calm

Dog anxiety is a serious issue that can have a significant impact on our furry companions' well-being. Fortunately, by sticking to a routine and minimizing any triggers, along with Plush Puppy's Apprehension Flower Essence Drops, you can manage your dog's anxiety effectively.

For more information or to check out our full range of luxury dog products, visit Plush Puppy online or give us a call.