We are a lot like you. When a dog is timid, shy or scared, we want to just through our arms around them and tell them it will be OK.
Training a dog suffers from anxiety is not just dog training. Dog fear and anxiety are complex behaviors that require expert intervention.
Animals with anxiety seek reassurance, avoidance and rituals or habits that distract them from their anxiety or give them the illusion of safety. We often accidentally reward this behavior. Yes, there is a dark-side to conditioning.
Dog Behaviorist for Anxiety
Fear of new places, people, dogs or events that become stressful for the dog. A common example is an attachment disorder referred to as separation anxiety. Dogs that fear other dogs and/or people are suffering from an anxiety disorder similar to social anxiety disorder in humans.
Social anxiety disorder in dogs are express in behaviors such as avoidance, fear aggression or “leash reactivity” leash aggression. These behaviors can become habituated but, in the majority of cases they are not reactions and a clear escalation of anxiety and effect can be seen.
We Are Different
Dogs that suffer from anxiety disorders can be inappropriately aggressive, fearful and timid or over excited. They often exhibit all three facets in their behavior. Meaning that if you only work on dog aggression you are not addressing the majority of the cause.
We offer a compete spectrum of canine behavior training and address dog anxiety disorders as well as aggression.
Our Teams Say it Best!
Cashew is also listening a bit better at home and seems to be more behaved. I can’t really explain how. But, he’s more attentive and seems to be responding better.
How do you know when your dog is suffering from mental health issues?
Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond, DVM and Spokesperson for Zesty Paws, told Newsweek that signs of mental health issues in dogs are surprisingly similar to those of humans, and just like us when they’re depressed they will show changes in their behavior.
“A once playful and energetic dog suddenly becomes disinterested, listless, withdrawn, or inactive. Sometimes changes in eating and sleeping habits are also noticed,” she said.
And article about dogs and depression is a good read.
What to Know About Mental Health Care and Dogs
Post by: Dr. Wendy Hauser
The Animal Brain
Research has found that mood disorders in people and dogs are based in the “animal brain.” This can be seen as a malfunction of our fight, flight or freeze response. On the brighter side some dogs and people seem to have no fear and these are the K9’s we depend on for many dangerous jobs.