How to Help Canines With Anxiety

An anxious dog paces, barks, trembles, hides, licks constantly, urinates or defecates in the house. Some causes for canine anxiety include separation from owners, loud noises, a new home, a new pet in the home, a new baby in the family or unknown causes. Some breeds of dogs are more anxious than others. The most common complaint about anxiety symptoms from dog owners is the separation anxiety a dog experiences when its owner leaves the house.

Instructions

    • 1

      Exercise your dog on a regular basis, especially before you leave the house. What seems like anxiety may be boredom, which often leads to undesirable behavior such as chewing on furniture or shoes. Walk your dog for a half hour at least once a day, two or three times if possible.

    • 2

      Give your dog a "Kong" or similar toy to chew on, especially when you leave the house. This is a rubber toy that you place treats into. The dog has to chew the Kong, and play with it to get to the treats. This activity preoccupies the dog, navigating it away from its anxiety.

    • 3

      Practice short times of separation. Say "I'll be right back" and walk out the door, then walk back in. A little later, repeat the same thing, but stay outside for 1 minute. Slowly increase the times you are gone and the dog will learn to associate "I'll be right back" with your short return, helping to minimize its anxiety.

    • 4

      Ignore the dog when you first arrive home. Making a fuss over your dog reinforces the negative behavior that are symptoms of its anxiety such as chewing furniture, urinating, defecating or barking. Wait a couple minutes, then calmly give it a treat after it settles down a bit.

    • 5

      Consider crating your dog when you leave the house, or during times of stress such as when company visits. Wild dogs sleep in dens, and a close, confined space with water, toys and blankets usually feels comforting to a dog.

    • 6

      Talk to your veterinarian about medication if the symptoms don't dissipate, especially if the dog is licking himself or chewing his hair out and leaving open sores. Some very anxious dogs may need medication to treat their anxiety. Usually the medication is given every day to help dogs deal with a daily separation anxiety they might have, and not used for the purpose of occasional anxiety from sources such as thunderstorms.