During the Pandemic of Covid-19, the term "dog life" took on a whole new meaning as dogs got used to the almost constant presence and the additional attention of their owners.
However, canine behavior experts wonder what will be the impact of the return to normal life in the fall ...
Separation anxiety. It's what ?
Does an animal that afraid of something specific necessarily suffer from anxiety? Is it an anxious animal that is afraid of everything?
In fact, fear is an emotion experienced in the presence of a recognizable danger. Fear is necessary for survival. This allows us to make sure decisions. It is therefore normal, even if it can sometimes be exaggerated in certain contexts.
The behavior and reactions of the anxious person are similar to those of the fearful person. Anxiety, however, is a condition, a feeling that persists in time.
In addition, it is generally secondary to expectations, and the trigger is often difficult to identify. This state of vigilance, of tension, puts the animal in a state of vigilance, which makes it difficult to adapt and learn on a daily basis.
Stress for owners
Back to work is not only a worrying situation for dogs, but also very stressful for owners.
If humans are routine, dogs are too, separation anxiety cases take time to resolve and require follow -up.
A question of genetics?
As in humans, according to canine educators, certain types of anxiety are due to a predisposition genetic combined withenvironment.
"The dog suffering from separation anxiety has a genetic predisposition. Unfortunately, many people have seen an opportunity to earn money by raising dogs that should not have been raised, because the bait was there. The 'Origin of animals is a problematic aspect.
The educators also warn people who adopt their dogs in unscrupulous kennels.
What can stress your dog?
There are many causes of anxiety. Like the following:
Animal genetics
The dog suffering from separation anxiety can have a genetic predisposition. Unfortunately, many people have seen an opportunity to make money by raising dogs that should not have been raised because the lure of the gain was there. The origin of animals is a problematic aspect. Sometimes it can lead to big problems.
The environment in which he lives
An anxious dog living in an environment conducive to amplifying its stress, can cause behavioral problems and to be for your animal
Postpartum experiences
Dogs with a painful past can suffer from anxiety of separation more than others, so you have to be careful with their well -being and redoubled attention
Is it normal for my dog to be anxious?
At a slight level and when the cause can be identified, anxiety is completely normal. For example, your dog can be anxious when he associates for a moment or a place with a bad past experience, a discomfort, a feeling of insecurity or something else.
Therefore, he can worry:
- By car
- In the presence of new people
- When he arrives in a new environment
- At the veterinarian
- When he hears certain noises etc ...
In these situations, this feeling, very similar to fear, should disappear as soon as the source of the problem is moving away. But sometimes anxiety can persist and considerably affect your dog's quality of life.
Your dog's anxiety is unusual when:
Anxiety can become a problem when it persists, even when there is no "danger" or apparent reason to worry.
In this situation, your dog cannot assess correctly how dangerous the situation is and expects a threat.
This emotion of fear, which can become almost constant, causes in dogs a suffering emotional and forces him to be constantly alert.
Often, because of this feeling of insecurity almost constant, its capacity for learning is altered and the usual techniques of training or education often do not have the expected effect.
In addition, no matter how obedient your dog is, he may not be able to respond to basic requests at times that may seem insignificant.
Why then? Because obedience does not help him to distinguish between the presence and the absence of a threat.
Depending on your character, your dog can develop a variety of behavior issues that are a cause secondary of his anxiety.
What are these behaviors?
For example, it can barked excessively or show aggressiveness.
The expression of different behaviors related to fear or anxiety is different depending on dogs.
Here are the most common signs of anxiety that your dog can live:
- Abooking and groaning
- Immobilization: for example, refuses to move forward during a walk
- Avoid, flee or hide: it always hides when you have visitors
- Exaggerated motor activity
- Excitement
- Trembling
- Increased vigilance: reacts to each noise, movement
- Unable to relax
- Ray doors or floors
- Body hardening
- Tail down or between the legs
- The ears and the face are stretched back
- Frequent yawning
- Sighs, swollen cheeks
- Salivation
- Defection and/or urination
- Research attention: he tries to interact with you in an exaggerated way.
Dog in a state of constant vigilance
The vigilant animal is in constant observation, alert and sensitive to the slightest change. This can often go unnoticed, because the animal may seem simply focused on something or in "observation" mode.
During thunderstorms?
Anxious dogs can be dogs with a phobia of thunderstorms. If your dog shows signs of anxiety during thunderstorms or similar elements
How if my dog is stressing?
Offer a calm environment?
Place your pet in an environment that allows it to be as calm as possible, with the least sources of anxiety as possible.
For example :
- Put background music to hide the ambient noise
- Walk in low -traffic areas
- Block access to stress zones
- Use a calm voice when you talk to your dog
- Avoid stressful situations
Do not force it
Do not force your dog to enter an environment or to communicate with a person who disturbs him. If he refuses to approach or interact, respect his decision.
Create positive situations
Give your animal things he loves in the presence of things that cause him anxiety. For example, when visitors arrive, give him a favorite toy sound.
This technique aims to change the emotion of the animal by changing the association it does with something that initially evokes an emotion of fear.
Set up a routine
Try to introduce a routine into the life of your pet in terms of its environment, your schedule and your relationships. Develop clear and coherent communication to avoid confusion and anxiety.
Do not punish your dog
Avoid all forms of body and verbal punishment, as they can cause even more anxiety and harm your relationship.
Even the use of the word "no", which may seem harmless to you, must be avoided. Instead, it is better to tell your animal what you want it to do, rather than just refusing it. In fact, this information on your part is partial (telling him "don't do that" without saying exactly what to do), which may increase his anxiety.
Listen carefully
Observe your pet's body language; It will show you how comfortable your pet feels.
Learn to understand it and respect your emotional state. Give him the possibility of staying isolated if he wishes.
If your dog growls, take into account his warning: immediately stop the interaction and keep him away from the situation that disturbs him.
What medications to calm your dog?
Soothing pheromone diffusers (eg adaptil®)
Natural soothing products (eg Zylkene®)
Soothing wraps (eg Thundershirt®)
Each animal being different, it is not possible to determine with certainty which product will suit them. But one thing is certain: experience with some of them can be very useful for your pet.
What natural solutions to help your dog?
For some time now, the interest in the use of CBD based on hemp extracts Sativa L has been gaining popularity in veterinary medicine.
L' CBD oil for dogs could be interesting in the management of anxious behavior in dogs due to effects anxiolytics, antidepressants and on the quality of sleep, help for old dogs, cats and animals at the end of their life, thus decreasing the sensitivity to pain and improve their quality of life.
