Like lots of humans, dogs are creatures of habit. They thrive on knowing what to expect and love to have a routine. So if your pooch is used to 11am being cuddle-o'clock and 3pm being playtime, don't think you'll get away with changing things. An anxious dog will feel better if you make sure that their walks, meals and all aspects of their daily life are as routine as possible. And that includes knowing when their next Butternut Box will be delivered.
How to tell if your pooch is anxious
Some dogs are more anxious than others and this is often linked to missed socialisation opportunities during puppyhood. The first few months of a pup’s life are called the ‘socialisation period.’ This is when they need to experience a wide range of sounds, sights and situations so that they learn to take them in their stride as they grow up. Unfortunately, dogs who miss out on being properly socialised can end up with a range of fears or phobias.
Lots of things can trigger anxious behaviour in dogs. Some are common (fireworks or thunderstorms) while others can be a bit more, well, peculiar (a fear of motorcyclists or the sight of their own reflection). Signs your dog is finding a situation nerve-wracking include pacing, shaking, barking, chewing and weeing or pooing in the house.
Separation anxiety is one of the best-recognised dog anxieties. Pooches with this problem will get stressed and anxious when they're left on their own. One effective way to help relieve this anxiety is to avoid making a big fuss when you leave the house or come home. Aim to keep the whole process of going out as calm and unremarkable as possible. Don't give them a huge 'goodbye' cuddle, or take ages getting all your stuff together. That way your dog will quite rightly understand that there's nothing to worry about when you go out.
Helping your anxious dog to chill out
To help your dog beat separation anxiety, begin by rewarding them with a calm greeting when they've spent even very short amounts of time without you. Aim to gradually build up their alone time, reassuring them that you always come back. Creating a snug den and leaving them with a T-shirt carrying your scents to cuddle up with can help them to feel relaxed. Or you could try a plug-in diffuser (called a 'dog appeasing pheromone' – or DAP – diffuser), that emits a calming natural chemical.
To help your pup cope with fireworks or thunderstorms, make a safe hidey-hole where that they can retreat to feel safe and secure. Choose a spot where they would naturally go to retreat, such as under a table. Leave tempting treats in the 'refuge' to encourage your dog to go there, draw the curtains and introduce distracting background noise with the TV or radio. If your pooch gets a bit scaredy-dog when the bangers go off, it's important not to cuddle or overwhelm them with sympathy. This is a sure-fire way to reinforce fearful behaviour. Instead, act normally and praise them when they're calm.
You can read more about how to help dogs with separation anxiety on our website.