Before treating dog anxiety with anti-anxiety medications, try using safer and milder natural alternative treatments. Natural remedies such as herbs, homeopathic remedies, flower essences, and aromatherapy, are effective in calming and relaxing an anxious dog.

Education

• Educate yourself about how dogs think and why they do the things they do. Pet owners can be the unintentional cause of their pet’s anxiety. Learning more about what makes your dog tick will also help you to identify the cause of its jitters and make changes to help it relax. For example, giving your pet extra attention during a stressful episode–such as fireworks or a thunderstorm–isn’t necessarily the best method for relieving its fear. You may actually be worsening it. Give your pet a nice place to sleep, a radio or TV to block scary noises, and food, water and treats. But avoid coddling. You dog will take cues from you about when to be frightened.

Consider contacting a trainer or behaviorist to examine the way in which you interact with your dog. An expert may be able to give you specific tips for your situation that will help both you and your pet.

Ensure your pet gets enough exercise. A dog that is already bursting at the seams with energy is much more likely to become anxious, nervous or frightened.

Consider basic obedience training for your pet. Training increases the bond between you and your dog and it gives your pet additional confidence.

Herbal Remedies for Dog Anxiety

Herbs are excellent in calming nervous dogs suffering from anxiety. Herbs are mild and non-addictive, and they do not cause drowsiness after use! Even better, some nervous-calming herbs are nutritious tonics, providing additional support to our dogs’ nervous system. There are several nerve-calming herbs that can be used on dogs, but different dogs react differently to the herbs. Some herbs are more effective on some dogs, so try the different herbs on your dog to see which one(s) work best!

Chamomile – This herb reduces anxiety in dogs that are stressed out. It calms the nerve as well as induces sleep. You can give chamomile tea to your dog before a long drive or soak a treat in the tea.

Oat – Oat is an excellent nerve-calming herb and is nutritious as well. Cooked oatmeal can be added to your dog’s food.

Astragalus – This Chinese herb has immune-strengthening qualities and can be used continually (in moderation) to boost the body’s immune system under stress.

St-John’s Wort – This herb is excellent for separation anxiety and tension and is also effective for depressed dogs, and is available in capsules or as a tincture. It combines well with valerian.

Valerian – Valerian reduces tension, anxiety, over excitability in dogs. This herb is available in capsules or as a tincture.

Skullcap – Skullcap is effective for nervous tension. It also helps epileptic dogs.

** Sedative herbs (e.g. valerian, skullcap) and anti-depressants such as St-John’s wort should not be used continually for a long period of time.

Dogs that are easily spooked, have nervous tendencies or anxiety issues will eventually run away, bite someone, become destructive or get into some other type of trouble if their owners don’t take steps to help them. Having your dog examined by a veterinarian to rule out any medical issues is your first step toward a solution. Many veterinarians will prescribe medications to help your anxious pooch. However, many people are hesitant to medicate their pets for behavioral problems. There are several homeopathic options worth investigating.

Herbs

• There are many herbs that are credited with helping calm a nervous dog, including chamomile, valerian, oat, astragalus, St. John’s wort and skullcap. It is best to consult with a homeopathic veterinarian before giving your pet any herbal solution.

Nutritional Supplements

• Nutritional supplements are also sometimes prescribed by homeopathic veterinarians in the treatment of anxiety in dogs. Among those often given to nervous dogs and hyperactive pets are L-theanine, thiamine and decapeptide.

Flower Essences

• Flower essences are an especially popular homeopathic treatment for nervous people, cats and dogs. Bach’s Rescue Remedy is a top choice among homeopathic veterinarians and animal caretakers and can be given to a nervous pet (or person) 30 minutes or so before a stress-inducing event, such as a thunderstorm, fireworks show or veterinary appointment.

Aromatherapy

• Aromatherapy is also being used as a holistic treatment for anxiety-ridden dogs. A mixture including valerian, lavender, sage and sweet marjoram is often prescribed. The oils are blended together and a few drops are rubbed onto the dog’s ears, toes, thighs and beneath its legs.

When a dog is scared or perceives a threat, a section of their brain (the hypothalamus) signals the production of certain chemicals to prepare the dog for fight or flight. This is good when there is an actual threat present, but in dogs with a nervous disorder–also known as chronic anxiety–the frequent release of these chemicals begin to weaken the immune system and can lead to emotional and physical health problems.

Dogs use primarily body language among themselves. Years ago, when still in the wild, dogs used to live in a pack and various emotions were continuously transmitted and perceived among one another. Dogs were able and still are able today, to represent a wide array of emotions by just using specific signals that were and still are readily understood by other dogs.

Today, as humans, we must try to understand what dogs are trying to tell us. This way we can better communicate and cherish the relationship we have with them. When it comes to demonstrating nervousness, some dogs may display very subtle signs of being uneasy and some instead manifest very prominent hints of such uneasiness.

Types

• There are two types of anxiety in dogs; phobias and unspecified. A phobia is a direct reaction to something specific, and the most common triggers are loud noises such as thunder or fireworks. The more general, unspecified version occurs where there is no identifiable cause for the dog’s symptoms. The reaction by the dog in either case is virtually identical, but the cause for the anxiety may or may not be immediately apparent.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of chronic anxiety in dogs range from the typical signs of barking or whining to more severe examples of stress, such as urinating or defecating in the house. Excessive licking and heavy panting are also common signs of anxiety. During especially stressful situations, dogs often find the need to hide from the perceived trigger, usually under the bed or behind the couch.

Diagnosis

• A diagnosis for an anxiety disorder is given after your veterinarian evaluates your dog’s behavior. He will also run tests to check your dog’s heart rate and digestion. Frequency of urination is also analyzed, as this could be a sign of an emotional problem. The veterinarian will also conduct a blood test, as unusual levels of certain types of white blood cells are associated with anxiety.

Treatment

• The first step is to examine the environment. Domestic stress, such as divorce, a move or a new baby and irregular schedules are two common times when a dog begins to show anxiety. Give your dog extra attention and maintain a regular schedule to see if the behavior improves. Therapy to change the behavior and training techniques to encourage relaxation are also helpful methods of treatment.

Before treating dog anxiety with anti-anxiety medications, try using safer and milder natural alternative treatments. Natural remedies such as herbs, homeopathic remedies, flower essences, and aromatherapy, are effective in calming and relaxing an anxious dog.

Part 2

Coming soon we will have a variety of herbal supplements for your dog, along with other helpful tips and hints.

For those of you who need more than just wading your dog into water to get them to swim, you require more help in the process.  These additional dog training tips should help you with teaching your dog to swim.

Help

Have a friend come over with a dog that swims and take the dog into the pool.  This will show your dog that other dogs swim and that it’s fun! Learning from watching others is common in dogs, and the experience of others usually gives them confidence to try something themselves.

More!!!

Try going deeper and deeper into a gradually declining pool, offering them treats as you go.  Go back about one foot every time they accept the treat, and increase the number of treats they get for going deeper into the pool.  This process may not happen all at once, but try it a few times a week if they seem uncomfortable at first.  once they get far enough to the point where they have to swim, significantly up the treat number.  Temptation should dominate fear when treats are in the picture!

Last Steps

Try putting your hands under your dogs stomach and pulling him in the pool deeper.  Move them slowly, but show them that they are safe.  Don’t let them squirm away when you get too deep because then they are forced to swim.  When they are deep enough to swim stay there for a few seconds. If your dog is uncomfortable doing this, repeat the process every other day until they are comfortable in water.  When you get to the deepest part of the pool, see if they are comfortable having you let go.  When you think they’re ready to swim, slowly let go.  You’re dog should be able to handle it from here, but follow them to make sure they’re okay.  You may want to wear goggles because lots of dogs are big splashers!

Contact our Florida dog training center with any questions.