Unfortunately, solutions aimed solely at eliminating manifestations of a behavioral nature do not always allow you to completely get rid of the unwanted behavior of the dog. If the source of anxiety is not eliminated, this behavior may continue to repeat. At the same time, ridding the dog of stress can, if not eliminate bad behavior completely, then at least significantly reduce it.
Learning about the signs of stress in dogs is the first step to building a fulfilling and happy relationship with your dog. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, common signs of stress in dogs include:
• Loss of appetite.
• Avoidance of communication and apathy.
• Digestive problems - vomiting, diarrhea or flatulence.
• Excessive licking and chewing of the skin, sometimes to the point of injuring oneself.
• Constant demand for attention or contact.
• Destructive behavior - damage to furniture, pillows, shoes, etc.
• Submission posture with lowered body, tucked tail and ears laid back.
• Biting, grasping.
• Increased drowsiness or changes in sleep patterns.
• Unreasonable barking and whining.
• Tension in the body, heavy breathing, trembling and stiff muscles.
• Excessive shedding.
• Obsessive walking back and forth and sniffing.
• Involuntary urination and defecation.
• Unusual repetitive behaviors are tail chasing, paw chewing, or lip licking.
• Grimace resembling a smile.
What to do if your dog is stressed
In addition to supplements and medications, there are several other ways to relieve stress in dogs that can be used as part of a more integrated approach.
• Regular physical activity and games with the dog. Daily walks may not be enough, so it is better to come up with additional activities.
• Refusal to stay in places in which the dog experiences stress. The owner may want to take the dog to an open-air festival or farmer's market to please it. It is important to remember that such an adventure can cause stress for the animal.
• Organized security zone. This can be anywhere the dog feels comfortable, from the bed to the dog kennel. You can give your dog a sweatshirt or a blanket that smells like the owner. This will greatly reduce her anxiety when the owner is not at home.
• Establish consistent rules and enforce them. The dog must know what the owner expects from it. Remember to reward positive behavior and ignore the bad. If you rush your dog to the rescue whenever he seems to be nervous, he will quickly figure it out and use it to his advantage. Any pet owner must learn to distinguish situations where their pet really needs to be reassured from situations where it will only reinforce bad behavior.
• Balanced and complete food. This measure is necessary to maintain the health of the dog - both physical and mental.
It is important to understand that not all anxiety behaviors in dogs can be compensated for. Like humans, some forms of anxiety behavior persist throughout a dog's life. The owner needs to help their pets in every possible way to cope with them.