For most people, it’s difficult to imagine life without our beloved dogs. They are not just loyal companions; they are an integral part of the family.
However, there is a growing number of reports indicating that some dogs suffer from anxiety disorders and neurotic behavior patterns which cause them considerable discomfort and distress. These dog phobias can make a dog’s life miserable as the animal experiences it as a threat to its wellbeing.
There are several reasons why dogs suffer from anxiety and neurotic disorders. It may happen because of changes in the household or due to some other trauma, such as a frightening experience or a bad accident. Illnesses, too, can cause a dog a lot of discomforts, which can lead to neurotic behavior.
The other cause of anxiety disorders is the dog’s heredity, especially if the conditions are insecure or the trainer has problems connecting with it. In any case, a dog’s anxiety disorder may be triggered by a number of reasons. Here are 5 ways to calm dogs with anxiety naturally:
Give Your Dog Plenty Of Exercises
A tired dog is a good dog. It’s often said that “little dogs have little bladders”, meaning that small breeds recover from their urge to urinate much faster than larger dogs whose bladder fills up again more quickly. That’s why, if you take your dog for a walk around the block twice daily, you decrease its chance of suffering from anxiety and neurotic behavior pattern greatly. Exercise not only stimulates the proper function of the dog’s organs but also massages its body and stimulates blood circulation, which relaxes the muscles and releases endorphins in the animal’s body.
Monitor What You Say
We all know that dogs are extremely sensitive to their owner’s voice – one of the reasons they find it easy to follow verbal commands. That is why you should be very careful when speaking to your dog in a way that can cause anxiety. For example, if you scold the poor animal for having an accident in the house, it won’t understand why you are so frustrated and it will only feel anxious about your behavior toward it. Be patient with your dog because yelling or punishing an animal that is already scared doesn’t help – actually, it does the opposite.
Show Your Dog Who’s The Boss
Contrary to common knowledge, there is no need for you to establish yourself as the “alpha dog” in your household. In fact, this myth has been widely debunked by experts since it isn’t true. However, there are other ways in which you can show that you’re in charge and it will have a calming effect on your dog. For example, you can use baby gates to block its access to certain rooms if it becomes destructive or incontinent, or you can simply close doors at night when the animal is sleeping. This advice also works if your dog suffers from separation anxiety because it makes it realize that its territory is safe even when you’re not at home.
Make Your Home “Dog-Proof”
Even if your dog is very well-trained and it wouldn’t dream of misbehaving in the house, it’s still a good idea to make your home “dog-proof”. This simply means that you have to put away all objects which are dangerous for your dogs, such as shoes with pointed high heels or glass jars. In addition, you should also put away all objects which can be broken by your pet’s paws or teeth – that includes porcelain figurines and other decorations.
Try to Give Your Dog CBD Oil
Cannabidiol is a substance derived from cannabis plants. However, don’t confuse it with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is responsible for marijuana’s psychological effects. CBD oil has positive effects on dogs suffering from anxiety and depression and neurotic behavior patterns because it simply calms them down without causing any side effects. In a study conducted at Purdue University, it has been proven that this supplement reduces anxiety in 80 percent of dogs who were affected by it.