When a dog is feeling nervous they are anticipating that something is going to take place that that they're scared of. That may be a direct threat like another dog coming towards them, or it might be something that is associated with the fear, for example their owner picking up the car keys. The keys are not the threat, but they associate them with their owner leaving them at home on their own.
Anxiety in dogs often comes from their socialization (or the absence of it) and their previous experiences, but some dogs are just generally nervous by character. Frequently a dog's anxieties are difficult to understand, but the good new is that whatever the reason for their fears, there are a few ways you can help reduce your dog's anxiety levels.
1. Do Not Make Them Face Their Fears
Avoiding scenarios that are fearful for your dog is the easiest way to instantly reduce a dog's anxiety. For instance, if your dog is scared of vacuum cleaners, don't vacuum while they're close by till you have done some desensitisation training with them and they are relaxed about it.
Contrary to popular belief, getting a dog to face their fears head on isn't beneficial, and is likely to result in heightening the fear. On the other hand, ignoring anxiety in dogs in the hope it will disappear, sadly will not help either and the anxiousness will probably increase over a period of time as the dog learns to be a little more anxious from each experience that compounds the fear.
2. Use Desensitisation Behavior Training
Desensitization training can slowly help your dog overcome fears, so taking one fear at a time, put aside some regular time and create a step by step plan to desensitize him.
Using the example of a dog scared of a vacuum cleaner, you might start by getting the vacuum out although not putting it on, and then putting a treat in the same room as the vacuum, or playing a game in the same room, steadily getting the dog nearer to the vacuum. Keep on doing this till they relax and take no notice of it.
Your next move is to have someone put the vacuum on while you are in another room with the dog. Again use the process of treats and play (whatever they enjoy best) till they relax while they can hear the noise. Gradually move them closer every few sessions, observing your dog all the time. If they start showing anxiety, back up a little and progress slower.
3. Be Calm and Positive With Your dog
Staying calm yourself is extremely important for an anxious dog because if you're feeling anxious as well , they are going to pick up on those feelings and become more anxious.
It can often be tricky to stay calm yourself if you are worrying about how your dog is going to react, for instance coming up close with another dog on a walk when you know it will cause them a lot of anxiety. If feasible, it is smart to avoid those eventualities altogether, but if faced with a fearful situation, your dog may look to you for a reaction first, so make sure you act as though it is nothing for your dog to stress about. That does not mean that you have to carry on and 'brave out ' any fearful situations, you could equally decide to turn and stroll off.
Reward your dog for being brave and showing confidence whenever it's possible to reinforce they're doing the right thing. On the other hand, never scold or punish them for showing fear. Shouting or shocking them may get you the required reaction like stopping them from doing something (like barking forcefully), however it will not make a difference to the underlying problem that causes the anxiety in the first place.
It may take a little time for your dog to start responding positively, but keep it up because your dog truly needs you to be patient with them while they handle the anxiety. Ultimately they should be able to deal with a load more stimulus and lead a much happier life.
Author Venice Marriott is a writer and dog owner and runs a website, which provides help and information for dog owners dealing with dog anxiety. Get more information about the ways you can reduce anxiety in dogs, when you visit the site.
