Dog Anxiety and Stress: Signs, Causes, and Ways to Help Them Cope Part 2: Ways to Help Them Cope

In Part 1 of “Dog Anxiety and Stress”, we took a dive into common forms of anxiety and stress, how to recognize them, if they look different for dogs versus humans, and how to navigate these signs. In Part 2, we dig deeper into ways to alleviate these signs in dogs. Just like kids, what may work for the neighbor’s toddler may not work for someone else’s, and the same can be said for dogs. Always document changes (good or bad) in behavior and side effects to share with veterinary professionals to ensure that the treatment, modification, or dietary change has positive effects on the dog. As always, working with a veterinarian, Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, or a Ph.D. Companion Animal Behaviorist in conjunction with the dog’s primary veterinarian will help gain not only the appropriate diagnoses for the dog, but the appropriate therapies to alleviate the signs and possibly provide better coping skills.

Ways besides prescriptions and supplements, that can alleviate these anxious behaviors

There are many ways to aid a dog in alleviating anxious behavior or signs associated with anxiety and stress. Some of these aids include supplements, prescription medications, and even toys or clothing (like a thunder shirt). Before diving into supplements and medications it is important to understand what may be causing the anxiety and stress disorders for the dog. Once the stressor has been identified, one of the most important ways in trying to alleviate anxious behaviors is through behavior modification. Some dogs may require a little extra help in being calmer and may be prescribed medications by the dog’s veterinarian. Treatment of behavior through medications and/or supplements is most useful when combined with behavior modification.

What is behavior modification?

Behavior modification is described as the techniques that either increase or decrease the frequency and expression of behaviors. Behavior modification is essential for improving the lives of dogs with anxiety/stress. Not all behavior modification plans will look the same as they are tailored to each individual dog. People often inadvertently reward problem behaviors in dogs; by “comforting” or reprimanding their dogs, they are often actually rewarding attention-seeking behavior. It is important with separation-related problems that owners only reward calm behaviors. Further explanation of the guidelines for behavior modification described by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) can be found here.

Behavior modification techniques that, with the help of a veterinary professional, can help alleviate negative behaviors that dogs may have to different stimuli:

• This technique protects distressed dogs from exposure to adverse behavior stimuli that make them worse. For example, if you know your dog has issues with bicycle traffic on trails or barking at the mail when it is delivered and they are in the front yard, the avoidance behavior would be to choose trails that allow foot traffic only or move your dog to another area when mail is delivered.
• Desensitization. Dogs will be presented with a stimulus that elicited a negative response at a level that does not create that response. Over time, the level of presentation of the stimulus will increase and, if done correctly, the dog will not exhibit a negative response to the stimulus.
• This is a process in which an animal that elicits a negative response to a specific stimulus (e.g., an approaching dog, the vacuum cleaner, or bath time) learns to become happy and accepting of that stimulus. This is accomplished by pairing the stimulus with something that the dog likes and wants. This is often combined with rewards that are given when a dog does not respond to a stimulus to which it previously reacted, even when the stimulus is increased. For example, if a dog is fearful or scared of the bathroom/bathtub, this location can be paired with meals. By increasing the closeness of the food bowl to the bathroom over time the dog will begin to associate the bathroom with something good.
• Training an alternate behavior. This technique is used to teach an appropriate behavior to a stimulus using positive reinforcement. For example, a dog running out the door when it opens is instead conditioned to sit whenever the door opens.
• Distraction and redirection. This technique can be used to distract from the undesired response to a stimulus by redirecting the dog’s attention away from the stimulus to prevent a response in turn, decreasing possible negative behaviors. For example, a puppy that chews on shoes may be redirected to chew on their favorite chew toy instead.
• Environmental enrichment. Most dogs, in general, lack enrichment in their lives. Many owners strive to walk their dogs daily but do not allow their dogs to engage in the very important species-specific behavior of sniffing on those walks. Sniffing/exploring is an excellent form of enrichment for dogs. Additionally, there are many commercial food puzzles and DIY food puzzles that can provide enrichment for dogs. Food puzzles add an extra layer of benefit to anxious dogs because they can provide a distraction during triggering events.

Supplements and prescription medications

Many dogs’ behavior issues may improve with the addition of supplements and/or prescription medications to reduce the signs related to anxiety and stress before even beginning any type of behavior modification. However, it is important to discuss any addition of supplements with the dog’s veterinarian to ensure it is appropriate for the dog. Some supplements may contain ingredients that interact with medications that a dog may be taking. It is also important to discuss the supplement to see if the dosing of the therapeutic ingredient(s) is at appropriate levels and will have the desired effect on the dog.

 

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About the Author

Dr. Sydney McCauley is a Board-Certified Companion Animal Nutritionist and earned both her bachelor’s and doctoral degrees at Virginia Tech in Animal and Poultry Sciences. McCauley’s research was in nutritional physiology with a focus on understanding the effects of low birth weight on glucose, fatty acid, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolism in skeletal muscle and overall metabolic homeostasis during neonatal development.