Having an anxiety disorder is detrimental to your mental health. No matter where you are in life you may feel overcome with a sense of dread, causing it to be difficult for you to perform basic tasks. Unfortunately, your dog may be feeling the same way. In fact, approximately 14% of our canine companions suffer from separation anxiety. Now determining if your furry friend has anxiety may be a little tricky. Obviously, the way in which dogs express their anxiety is different than their human counterparts. Common symptoms include peeing in the house, barking incessantly, and chewing on furniture. Your dog may even attempt to escape or try to hide in dark, enclosed spaces. Thankfully, once you have figured out whether or not your pooch has anxiety, there are a few ways to help relieve his stress.

Go To The Vet

First and foremost, if you think Fluffy is exhibiting signs of anxiety, get her over to the vet ASAP. After all, her doctor knows best. During the visit, your veterinarian will most likely be able to figure out what treatment plan will be most effective based on your dog’s individual needs.

Distract Your Dog With Puzzles

A good way to combat your dog’s separation anxiety is to leave them with a puzzle filled with treats while you are away. The toy will lessen the chance that your furry friend will display destructive, stressed-induced behavior like chewing cable cords or scratching door frames.

Put Your Clothes In Your Dog’s Bed

If you’re like me and don’t do your laundry everyday, you’ll appreciate this tip. Your pooch may feel calmer if you leave a clothing item, like a sweatshirt, that you just wore in their bed. This way, Fido can breathe in your scent, even when you’re gone for the day.

Exercise Daily

As a person who has suffered with anxiety, I hated it when people told me exercise would make me feel better. I admittedly prefer to lead a sedentary lifestyle, so this was extremely frustrating advice. That being said, they were right. And the same goes for your dog. To lessen Fluffy’s anxiety, be sure to take her on a walk at least once a day.

Don’t Be Afraid of Putting Your Dog on Medication

While people may be wary of putting their dogs on antidepressants, they can actually do the trick. If your vet thinks it’s the best decision for your dog, you should go for it.

Try CBD

CBD may also be a good option for those who are seeking treatment for their anxious pooch. Proponents of cannabidiol believe that it can be beneficial for your dog’s mental health. As of late CBD has been all the rage so you won’t have a hard time finding cannabidiol infused treats that are up to your dog’s liking. Just make sure to talk to your vet before you give your dog any CBD products.

Pretend You Are Leaving

Photo by Luigi Estuye, LUCREATIVE® on Unsplash

If your precious pup has a tendency to freak out each time you go away, consider faking him out. This will entail you grabbing your keys and putting on your jacket, but then, at the last minute, walking over to the couch and sitting there for a while. If you make the effort to continue this pattern, your dog may feel less stressed out when you do actually leave the house.

Hire A Professional Trainer

When combating your dog’s anxiety, obedience training may be your best bet. A professional trainer will be able to teach you how to most effectively instruct your dog, especially in high stress situations.

Listen To Calming Music

If you happen to be an audiophile, you may want to start sharing your passion for music with your pooch. A 2017 study shows the dogs are actually less stressed out when listening to calming music like jazz or soft rock. Just refrain from playing Metallica, as it may have the adverse effect. Unless of course, Fluffy happens to be a huge fan of heavy metal.

Consider Doggy Day Care

If your pooch just can’t handle being alone, you may want to consider taking Fido to doggie day care. This way he can socialize with other dogs and get plenty of attention from the workers. Ideally, he’ll have so much fun that he’ll barely notice you aren’t there.

How To Help With Your Dog's Anxiety