Maybe today it’s the inside of your couch ripped to shreds. Two days ago it was an accident on the carpet. You can only imagine what else happens while you’re not home and you know your dog has anxiety in some form or another. Or maybe you have a video monitor and you cringe at how loud your dog really is when you’re not home. Thunderstorms or fireworks? We know the drill. And we can help. There’s a few key things we can often overlook that can make a difference.
As pet lovers here at Meehan Formulations we’re always thinking outside the box when it comes to pet care. From healthy food to fresh perspectives, our supplements use only the natural ingredients that have been scientifically shown to work for you and your pet to help tame anxiety, which affects around 20% of dogs.
What anxious behavior looks like:
According to the American Kennel Club, anxiety can be displayed in a dog in a variety of ways: destructive behavior, urinating or defecating, drooling, aggression, excessive barking, pacing, restlessness or depression.
Your pup’s background makes a difference.
When pet adoptions skyrocketed during the pandemic, many people found themselves unprepared to treat the anxiety that a rescue dog can bring along on that first car ride home. Learning to trust their new owners and a new environment can take time. Studies on animal shelters have shown adopted pets can have a higher level of anxiety issues, regardless of breed. Factors such as the shelter environment, abandonment issues, and previous unhealthy home situations can all contribute to developing anxiety.
Breed matters.
Certain breeds are more likely to suffer from some type of anxiety. These are the top breeds that can display separation anxiety as well as other types of anxious behaviors:
- German Shepherds are a super alert and intelligent breed. But their sensitivities to sounds and sights can be overwhelming and lead to anxiety.
- Bichon Frise are cute little lap dogs, but they can be high strung and prone to anxiety from separation, noise and travel.
- Labrador Retrievers are undeniable people pleasers, and being separated from their owners can cause serious distress.
- Border Collies – so focused on their people, they can start to get anxious if you aren’t home to focus on!
- Cocker Spaniels are great hunting dogs and bred to please their owners which can lead to separation anxiety.
- Chihuahuas– This breed is tiny and very energetic and can get very comfortable always being near their owners. There so small it’s easy to take them everywhere, but they can be prone to separation issues if you start leaving them home.
If your dog starts exhibiting signs of anxiety, here’s some key things to consider:
First things first: Make sure you’re not making it worse.
We came across a great perspective from Gary Cassera at the website The Dog’s Side, a website and foundation advocating to reduce pet homelessness. Other dog behavior specialists agree with this point of view as well.
In his article entitled ‘You get What You Pet’, Gary breaks down the things owners do and the surprising impact it has on your dog. Guess what? Dogs don’t think like humans do. They think only in the present, not the past, nor the future.
Turns out, when you’re petting your dog to calm them down in a stressful situation, what you’re actually doing is signaling that you approve the behavior. Dogs think a little different than humans, and they connect a pat on the head with encouragement of the behavior they’re displaying at that exact moment. And consequently, the reactionary behavior continues, whether it’s barking at a bus, or another dog, or cowering at thunderstorms. Your dog thinks you are approving the reactionary behavior, not trying to calm them down.
How should I handle it?
Pay attention to your dog’s cues: give physical affection in the good moments to reinforce the good behavior. Reduce the attention you give when your dog is acting out. Talk through your routines at home with a dog behaviorist to uncover any hidden triggers and more behavioral tips specific to your dog and your daily life.
A Natural Supplement to soothe.
A natural supplement to help soothe the nerves is a great step. We created PAWS Anxiety to help bring the calm into your dog’s daily life. We love the capsule delivery so you can tailor the treatment to your dog’s taste. And that also means you’re getting only the good stuff, without added fillers. Does your furry friend love peanut butter? Hide it in a spoonful!
You can put the capsules in their food or open them up and mix the powder right into their food.
Between our research and customer feedback, we’ve found that it usually takes 24-48 hours to start to see a calming effect from PAWS Anxiety.
PAWS anxiety is packed with soothing, science-backed ingredients. Restore the balance in your home by giving your dog the best soothing supplement on the market.
Food is medicine. Even for dogs.
We know how important quality food is for humans, and the same is true for animals: food is medicine. Wholesome ingredients can influence how your pet behaves. From both personal experience with my own rescue dog and my experiences running a dog food company, I recommend that you do your homework and see just what’s in your pet’s food. Salmon, blueberries, avocadoes and even beef liver can be beneficial. Homemade dog food recipes? That’s a post for another day!
As with any behavior issues when it comes to animals, it’s important to address any potential underlying medical conditions to rule those out as a source for anxiety.
Pet anxiety doesn’t have to be a long-term problem. There are so many great ways to help your dog, sometimes it just takes some trial and error. Changes in routine, the environment, food and or the addition of supplements can make a difference. Sometimes it feels gradual, but after a few weeks you might notice that things have calmed down in your house.
As always, we’re here to support and answer any questions you might have. Just shoot us an email at support@meehanformulations.com. We’ll get back to you soon.
Thanks for reading!
