Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Subscribe
Vegemite Villa
Watch 0:31

Vegemite Villa

{headline}

{headline}

How to reduce anxiety triggers in your home

How to reduce anxiety triggers in your home

Hit the road with your best mate for a healthy, happy hound

Hit the road with your best mate for a healthy, happy hound

This new toy helps to battle pet anxiety

This new toy helps to battle pet anxiety

Reduce anxiety with these 7 simple changes to your home

Reduce anxiety with these 7 simple changes to your home

{headline}

{headline}

How to deal with a panic attack at work

How to deal with a panic attack at work

This blanket can help reduce anxiety and insomnia

This blanket can help reduce anxiety and insomnia

Bedroom updates to help reduce anxiety

Bedroom updates to help reduce anxiety

{headline}

{headline}

How to stop your dog from pulling on the lead

How to stop your dog from pulling on the lead

Where to get Santa pet photos around Australia 2019

Where to get Santa pet photos around Australia 2019

Family puppy found to be endangered dingo species

Family puppy found to be endangered dingo species

How to teach a dog good manners with Dr Harry

How to teach a dog good manners with Dr Harry

Study proves dog owners live longer, happier lives

Study proves dog owners live longer, happier lives

The best vacuum cleaners for dealing with pet hair

The best vacuum cleaners for dealing with pet hair

Can you feed your dog raw chicken?

Can you feed your dog raw chicken?

  1. Home
  2. Pets

6 reasons your dog might have anxiety

And what to do about it - by Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
  • 19 Jan 2018

Are your neighbours annoyed with your dog barking all day? Or do you come home to find your favourite cushion shredded? 

Your dog might have anxiety.

Here are some behaviourial changes to look out for:

  • urinating
  • excessive barking for no apparent reason
  • hiding or avoiding interaction
  • aggression
  • decrease or loss of appetite 
  • chewing, panting or pacing
  • trying to escape
  • drooling, trembling or shaking
  • destructive behaviour

To help your dog, you need to get to the bottom of what's upsetting them. Here are some reasons why they might be anxious.

1. You go to work

Separation anxiety is a big issue for dogs. To fix it, try to make your dog as comfortable as possible before you leave for the day.

Maybe take your dog for an extra long walk in the morning, which will tire them out when he gets home, and leave a toy for them to play with while you’re gone.

You could also take them to a class to build up his confidence.

2. Your dog has a new family

If your dog has been abandoned or given to a new family, they could get anxiety. To help your dog, give them a place of their own – or, a dog crate.

“I'm a fan of crate training," says Nicole Ellis, pet lifestyle expert at Rover.com.

“It's not mean. It gives them a den where they can curl up and calm down.”

Add your dog’s favourite toy and blanket that smells of you. Then place a treat inside the crate for a few days in a row and your dog will start to feel calmer in their new home.

3. Your dog was a fearful puppy

According to Psychology Today, there is a narrow window of opportunity to socialise your dog. After eight weeks of age and between five and eight months of age, "dogs become fearful of strangers and will often single out certain groups, such as children or men, as the target of their fear."

"Fortunately, the process of socialization is really quite easy and enjoyable.”

The idea is to safely and pleasantly expose the puppy to all sorts of different people and places, like different rooms, paved streets, grass, public buildings and any other place your dog is likely to encounter.

Give your pet lots of treats while you socialise them so they have a positive experience with each encounter.

4. You make a fuss when you leave

If you’re feeling hyped up when you leave or come home, your dog will mirror your emotions.

"The calmer you are leaving for the day, the calmer they'll be," explains Ellis.

When you get home, continue to keep it simple and low-key.

5. You’ve move house

Until your dog feels settled in their new environment, give your dog plenty of toys to play with when you're not home.

"That could be anything from a frozen Kong toy with food inside to a snuffle mat where you hide his breakfast," says Ellis.

Building your dog's confidence could also help.

"Taking a scent class is a great way to build confidence—and a confident dog isn't a nervous dog," says Ellis.

6. Your dog is scared of noises

Loud and unexpected noises like fireworks and machinery can terrify your dog.

"Noise phobia is not a training issue, nor is it an obedience problem," The Australian Veterinary Association spokesperson and animal behaviour specialist, Dr Jacqui Ley said.

"It is an overwhelming fear. It’s a medical problem, which is why it’s important for owners to speak to their veterinarian if their animal displays signs of noise phobia."

According to The Australian Veterinary Association, dog owners should take the following precautions to protect their pets:

  • keep dogs inside and close all the doors and windows  
  • prepare a safe and comfortable place like an interior room or under a bed  
  • allow them to hide if they prefer
  • provide toys to help change their emotional state  
  • consider playing background music or white noise to muffle the noise  
  • for dogs and cats, pheromone products may help   

"The important thing is to help your animal cope with the noise and to comfort them," explains Dr Ley.

"Never punish fearful behaviour as this will only make the situation worse. In some cases, medication is needed to help reduce anxiety in pets and the earlier you seek veterinary help the better."

If your dog's anxiety is severe or doesn't improve, head to the vet for a treatment plan. 

Gift 6 months for free-Plus a Free $50 voucher*

Subscribe to Better Homes and Gardens.

Subscribe Now
Gift 6 months for free

Gift 6 months for free-Plus a Free $50 voucher*

Subscribe to Better Homes and Gardens.

Subscribe Now
Gift 6 months for free

Recommended to you

Vegemite Villa
Watch 0:31

Vegemite Villa

{headline}

{headline}

How to reduce anxiety triggers in your home

How to reduce anxiety triggers in your home

Hit the road with your best mate for a healthy, happy hound

Hit the road with your best mate for a healthy, happy hound

This new toy helps to battle pet anxiety

This new toy helps to battle pet anxiety

Reduce anxiety with these 7 simple changes to your home

Reduce anxiety with these 7 simple changes to your home

{headline}

{headline}

How to deal with a panic attack at work

How to deal with a panic attack at work

This blanket can help reduce anxiety and insomnia

This blanket can help reduce anxiety and insomnia

Bedroom updates to help reduce anxiety

Bedroom updates to help reduce anxiety

{headline}

{headline}

How to stop your dog from pulling on the lead

How to stop your dog from pulling on the lead

Where to get Santa pet photos around Australia 2019

Where to get Santa pet photos around Australia 2019

Family puppy found to be endangered dingo species

Family puppy found to be endangered dingo species

How to teach a dog good manners with Dr Harry

How to teach a dog good manners with Dr Harry

Study proves dog owners live longer, happier lives

Study proves dog owners live longer, happier lives

The best vacuum cleaners for dealing with pet hair

The best vacuum cleaners for dealing with pet hair

Can you feed your dog raw chicken?

Can you feed your dog raw chicken?

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Pacific Network

  • marie claire
  • Instyle
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Health
  • Men’s Health
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7travel
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
© 2019 Pacific Magazines
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Gift 6 months for free-Plus a Free $50 voucher*

Shop This Offer
Gift 6 months for free