If you have ever wondered what causes your dog’s anxiety, this article may be the key to your questions. Some of the most common symptoms of dog anxiety are:
- Chaotic behavior
- Dilated pupils
- Excessive licking
- Pacing
- Panting
- Passive escape
- Spontaneous bowel movement
- Trembling
- Whimpering
These behaviors are quite normal in pets, especially when they are uncomfortable. However, if the signs become too frequent, it may be time for you to check if your dog has anxiety.
Causes of Dog Anxiety
Many reasons could be behind what’s making your pooch anxious. Since it is not always easy to pinpoint the main cause, you must be observant and identify what triggers your dog’s abnormal actions. Pay attention to their body language when you are in the same room or having playtime with them.
Types of Dog Anxiety
General Anxiety
Most of the time, you cannot exactly pinpoint the cause of anxiety in your dog. It can be that your pet is more prone to anxiety than others, or they are stressed by even the most minor changes to their environment or routine.
General anxiety is quite common among all types of pets, which fur parents often overlook. Just because nothing seems out of the ordinary, this type of anxiety is typically left unchecked and untreated. We recommend bringing your pet to a professional regularly so you can be sure that their physical and emotional health is always at its best.
Illness Anxiety
More often than not, an illness can trigger anxiety in your pet. Some of the most common causes are:
- Encephalitis
- Hearing or vision loss
- Hypothyroidism
- Pre-diabetes
- Thyrotoxicosis
Rescue Anxiety
Dogs that spend an extended amount of time in a shelter may still have memories of being abandoned and fear experiencing it again. It may also be possible for many of them to have a traumatic past before ending up in the shelter.
Because of these circumstances, some dogs may develop what is called rescue anxiety. They have encountered a pretty harsh and unpredictable environment, and they do not want that to happen again.
If your dog is dealing with rescue anxiety, it may help to maintain a predictable home environment to make them feel as safe as possible. Hiring a trainer can also be beneficial to identify their primary triggers and recommend the best ways to calm your pup down.
Separation Anxiety
Because of the pandemic, many dogs have become used to having their fur parents around all the time. And with the gradual returns to office work setups, your pet may experience separation anxiety.
A dog with this type of anxiety may exhibit destructive behavior or bark excessively. It can happen even if you have only been gone for a few minutes. Separation anxiety is common, and, naturally, dogs do not like to be alone. They are social animals, after all.
You can try being more mindful of the amount of time you spend with your dog and make an effort to play with them before you leave to address this condition. Much like how you entertain a child, you can also give them a toy to keep them busy. These examples can significantly help a dog experiencing anxiety.
Social Anxiety
Dogs with social anxiety often bark aggressively around new people or animals because they think they are in danger from being in unfamiliar situations.
Conclusion
It is always best to bring your furry pal to the vet as soon as you observe a change in their behavior. Professionals can easily determine if your pet is indeed experiencing anxiety or if there are any underlying medical conditions that are causing the symptoms.
If you want to learn more about training your puppy and get them to follow your every command, check out Dog Obedience Training. Our site is devoted to providing helpful information in training your pet. Read more on our website today!