Anxiety Issues in Dogs

Dogs can suffer greatly from anxiety due to noise, being left alone or other stresses and may exhibit destructive and undesirable behaviors in response to their fear or nervous energy. Dog owners can become frustrated with destructive behavior and give away or even euthanize the dog, depending upon the severity of anxiety. Dealing with your dog's anxiety is important for the health and safety of your dog and for your own sanity.

  1. Fear of Thunder

    • Loud noise from thunder or fireworks can be a source of distress, fear and anxiety to many dogs. Anxious dogs may pace and pant during loud, crashing noise, and in extreme cases, may hurl themselves out of windows or screens trying to escape. Thunder-phobic dogs have also been known to display destructive behaviors, such as digging or urinating inside, which can do damage to your property or cause physical injury to the dog. Keep your dog indoors when possible during thunderstorms or firework exhibits and provide a hiding spot, such as under a table or in a crate. Some dogs burn off anxiety by movement and will not be comforted by staying still. Drowning out the noise with loud music or white noise may help. Commercial wraps which are applied tightly around the dog's torso are a recent therapy thought to calm a thunder-phobic dog.

    Separation Anxiety

    • Separation anxiety may occur when your dog is so bonded with you that it panics when you leave. This can happen if you and your dog are very closely bonded and you must leave it, or if the dog suffers from a traumatic event, such as being abandoned at a shelter or kennel. Dogs may also experience stress when separated from another pet in the family. Separation anxiety can be exhibited in feverish activities such as tearing up a sofa, barking or howling, or digging at doors in an attempt to reunite with its owner. Separation anxiety can be treated with behavior modification to desensitize the dog to being left alone. You can often comfort the dog by leaving clothing or laundry around so your scent is near, or defuse his destructive behavior with toys. In severe cases, medications such as Prozac can help alleviate anxiety so that you can work on changing the dog's behavior. You should never punish a dog that has soiled in the house or chewed on furniture while you are gone. This behavior is a panic response due to her anxiety and is not "bad dog" behavior.

    Social Anxiety

    • Dogs can become very anxious in cars or trips out in public. Often a nervous dog will react aggressively to being around strange people. This can be dangerous if the dog has the opportunity to bite. For other dogs, strangers visiting at home can cause a dog to exhibit anxiety, such as submissive urination, hiding or aggression toward the visitor. It is best to try to de-sensitize the dog to strangers by introducing them slowly and calmly. Dogs that associate a trip to the vet's office with a car ride can exhibit cowering and fearful behavior when approaching the car. These dogs may benefit from being gently lured into the car with treats rather than being forced, pushed or pulled.