Anxiety is the cause of the majority of the behavior problems dogs experience. This anxiety can be shown in so many different ways, these can range from chewing articles in the house , barking for no apparent reason , growling , sighing and grunting , pooping and peeing in the home , attacking because of fear , or by becoming hyperactive. There are a enormous variety of reasons for such anxiety.
Some dogs are scared of noisy storms or people not known to them, or react to people of a certain age, race, or gender. Other dogs show signs of hostility toward other animals or more worryingly toward humans. The simple task of the owner shouting at a dog can turn a normally carefree dog into a very nervous one.
Dogs are very much creatures of habit , they always tend to lay in the same place or play with a specific toy - so if their regular routine is abruptly changed it is likely to result in the dog feeling insecure . Good examples of this are when you are sick and just can’t take them for their normal exercise, or perhaps the arrival of a new baby or even just a lot of visitors . It is so important that in these instances you take time to make your dog feel ensure your dog feels safe and calm until they become used to the new routines.
It is important that your dog has their own spot where they can simply relax – They should have a blanket or bed in one space with some toys to keep them occupied and stop them from getting bored. When you have decided on this spot try not to alter it too much as it can be most upsetting for your dog.
Young dogs ( and even senior ones) that are left alone for long stretches of time often suffer from separation anxiety. As domesticated animals they do attain a very powerful bond with their masters. A dog experiencing seperation anxiety will in the main show the following traits :
- the dog constantly follows you around at home
- the dog tries to stay close to items that smell of you
- when you leave the house they chew personal items of yours
- the dog goes mad when he greets you and stays clingy
- the dog sleeps near to you
- all this happens even if you are away for a short period of time
So now we know a lot of our bad dog behaviour and dog biting problems are caused by anxiety, what is the best method to cure our anxious dogs?
I personally do not advocate medicinal drug as it is not only very pricey it can have unpleasant reactions. One great way of treating your dogs is aromatherapy, it is a very effective safe way to treat anxiety and nervousness in dogs, for whatever reasons .
Watch this video to see an aromatherapy recipe you can try on your dogs:
Make sure you keep this recipe in a dark sealed glass bottle.
If this is the first time you have tried aromotherapy on your dog you must test a small area of skin to ensure there is not a reaction . Instead of applying the oil directly on your dogs skin you can use a diffuser that will slowly release the scent into the air. Also do NOT use this recipe on or near cats as some of the oils for dogs can be dangerous for cats.
Aspen is new to our group. His owner wants a Bark indication. In this collection, Aspen is being rewarded for single a good bark. Watch as he starts to “get it”, and offer the bark quicker, and with less muttering. This is where it all starts for a Bark indication.
Verro vom Haus Cismar training in obedience (two years old). Wilson Rosa: Handler, Owner and Trainer.
http://www.ted.com Speaking at the 2007 EG conference, trainer Ian Dunbar asks us to see the world through the eyes of our beloved dogs. By knowing our pets’ perspective, we can build their love and trust. It’s a message that resonates well beyond the animal world.
This is a brief shot of one of the entries in the 2010 Dog Obedience Class.