THE MAIN SIGNS OF ANXIETY AND STRESS IN DOGS

THE MAIN SIGNS OF ANXIETY AND STRESS IN DOGS

Let's take a look at the main signs of anxiety and stress in dogs. This will allow you to observe your pet's every move to know whether or not you need to worry and act accordingly.

I would like to specify that it is more the accumulation of several symptoms that can certify you or not the presence of anxiety in your pet. If we take a symptom from the list I will develop below, it does not mean that your dog is particularly suffering from anxiety.  It's exactly the same as for us, if we type "stomach ache" on the internet, we're sure to find at least 10 serious illnesses in just a few clicks. It is necessary to be vigilant, to be careful and above all to ask yourself the following questions:

• Did my dog adopt this behaviour overnight?
• What triggers this specific behaviour?
• Have there been any particular changes in the dog's environment recently (moving house, the arrival of a baby or another dog in the household, etc.)?
• Is my dog's breed "predisposed" to fear behaviour?
• Were his parents fearful? Do other dogs in the family litter behave similarly?
• Do I provide my dog with a serene environment, with reassuring cues and routines?
• Did my dog experience any trauma as a puppy? Has he experienced any recently?

One of the main anxieties known in dogs is separation anxiety. If your dog has not been used to being alone as a puppy, this can become a problem in everyday life.

Separation Anxiety Symptoms

• Your dog destroys everything within reach of the nose when you are away, especially objects that have your scent (sofa, cushion, remote control, slippers, etc.).
• If you install a camera during your absences, you can see that your dog never settles down, he goes back and forth repeatedly.
• Your dog vocalizes all a day long when you close the door behind you.
• When you are at home, your dog follows you around the house.
• Your dog is constantly asking for your attention.

Some tips to help alleviate your dog's separation anxiety

• Don't say "goodbye" to your dog, just ignore him.
• Decondition your dog from your departure rituals (put on a jacket, take his bag and keys, etc.). Repeat these different gestures on a daily basis, without necessarily leaving, so that your dog no longer equates these actions with your departure.
• Reduce your dog's space when he is alone, no need to leave him the whole house, it will stress him more.
• Keep your dog occupied, give him food or toys to occupy him.
• Do not respond to all your dog's requests for attention when you are at home, ignore him, wait for him to move on (it takes a maximum of 15 minutes for the dog to actually move on, so be patient and don't give in) and then call him to offer him a pet, treat or play sessions.
• Don't let your dog follow you everywhere in the house, you can even set up forbidden rooms so that your dog learns to be alone, even when you are present in the house.
• In the beginning, don't make absences too long, go in a progressive way: first 5 minutes, then 10, then 15, then 30, and so on.
• When you get home, ignore your dog, don't celebrate! Wait until he calms down and then call him to say "hello". In this way, we always keep this essential notion of the master's initiative!

I will give you a list of the main signs you may observe that could indicate some anxiety in your dog. Of course, not all the signs of anxiety are present here, there are an infinite number of them since each dog can develop specific stress-related behaviours. Just like for us, stress can be expressed in a multitude of ways.

• Your dog adopts repetitive behaviours: repeated coming and going, going around in circles in the garden, etc.
• Your dog adopts alternative activities: excessive licking, chewing on the lower limbs, licking wounds, etc.
• Your dog is exhibiting calming signals such as repeated yawning, licking his nose (not to be confused with licking his chops), tail between the legs, ears backward, etc.
• Your dog is experiencing digestive problems such as loose stools, diarrheal episodes, vomiting.
• Your dog has muscular tension due to the fact that he is always on guard. Don't hesitate to call in a canine osteopath to carry out a complete examination and to advise you on the various precautions to take and possibly the various manipulations to offer your dog on a daily basis.
• Your dog moans and/or barks excessively, which means that he is unable to settle down and relax.
• Your dog sleeps a lot (more than usual).
• Your dog sticks to you at the slightest "suspicious" and unusual noise. This causes him to become overly attached to you.
• Your dog is constantly asking for your attention, following you everywhere, insistently seeking your attention.
• Your dog is very destructive, whether you are present or not: this indicates a need to relieve stress.
• Your dog suddenly begins to tremble or pant, even though it is neither too cold nor too hot.
• Your dog drools regularly. This symptom is particularly noticeable during car journeys.

Finally, you should always try to know why your dog is behaving the way he is. It's important to understand the cause of the problem, otherwise, you won't be able to solve the problem thoroughly and soothe your dog. If you observe several of these symptoms in your dog, don't hesitate to call a veterinarian and/or a dog behaviour professional.