The Top 5 Most Common Anxieties & Phobias in Dogs
Despite the tough front they try to put up with all that barking and growling, dogs are just as susceptible to phobias and anxieties as humans. Unfortunately, our lovable canine friends don’t have the capacity to communicate their feelings like we can, which can make it difficult to pinpoint the cause of their distress and help them calm down. As you might expect, dogs can be upset by a massive range of objects, sounds, sensations and other animals, but there are a select few canine phobias and anxieties that are more common than most.
At Canna Companion, we value the health, safety and happiness of your dog above all else. That’s why we produce Canna Companion, a unique hemp-based pet supplement that’s designed to boost the supportive benefits of cannabis while mitigating high-inducing concentrations of THC. We’re also more than happy to provide you with any counsel and educational resources you need to provide the highest level of care for your four-legged friend. Today, we’ll be discussing five common temporary anxieties and phobias in dogs and what pet parents can do to reduce the effects these conditions have on their canines.
#5. Loud, Distressing Noises
Many canines are fearful of loud sounds, including fireworks and thunderstorms. Oddly enough, your dog can develop a phobia of a particular sound even if they’ve never had a traumatic experience associated with it. Many experts attribute this phobia to the fact dogs have such a powerful sense of hearing. If you think a firecracker sounds painfully loud when it goes off nearby, just imagine how tough it must be on your pup’s ears! In most cases, dogs with this phobia will attempt to escape or hide from the source of the loud noise, potentially leading to destructive behaviors.
#4. The Veterinary Office
Just like many children are afraid of taking a trip to the doctor, a number of dogs get stressed out at the idea of their next checkup with the local veterinarian. Canines learn to fear and avoid situations and people that cause them pain and anxiety, which is why many of them develop veterinary phobias. Dogs who are afraid of veterinary settings or the veterinary experts themselves will often tremble and hypersalivate once they arrive, and refuse to move forward on their leash. They may also attempt to hide behind or under nearby objects and furniture in the clinic. In more extreme cases, fearful dogs may attempt to bite or escape from staff members.
#3. Strangers
Dogs can develop an intense fear of any humans or animals they don’t know. In some cases, canines will only be distressed in the presence of certain types of people. For example, a dog who experienced abuse at the hands of a male owner might acquire a phobia of all men she isn’t familiar with. In a similar vein, pups who have a bad experience with a local cat might experience fear every time they come across a feline they don’t recognize. While some dogs express their fear of strangers through aggressive or destructive behaviors, most will simply hide from the stranger by retreating under furniture or moving to a different level of the house. Other dogs are not afraid, per se, but become anxious when trying to protect their humans and territory.
#2. Riding in a Vehicle
While some canines adore jumping in the car to ride around the neighborhood, others associate their parent’s vehicle with stress and fear. Whether it’s due to movement sickness, negative past experiences or lack of familiarity with the space, many dogs struggle with severe travel anxiety. You can usually tell that a dog suffers from this anxiety if they refuse to enter a car or pant and drool excessively with attempts at getting into the car. Flattened ears, a tucked tail or urination when in or near vehicles are also telltale outward signs of this anxiety.
#1. Separation From You
Without question, separation anxiety is the most prevalent anxiety in dogs. Canines are pack animals, and the idea of one of their favorite packmates leaving for hours on end fills many of them with dread, especially if they’re left all alone for this span of time. Dogs experiencing separation anxiety will often engage in destructive behaviors to vent their distress. That’s why many pet parents come home to destroyed clothing and furniture after a long day of work or school.
How Can You Help a Scared or Anxious Dog?
Fortunately, there are a variety of strategies you can use to help a canine that’s suffering from fear or anxiety. For example, Cesar Millan asserts that one of the best ways to calm down a fearful dog is through projection of calmness and assertiveness. If your dog sees that the things upsetting them aren’t affecting you, they learn to mimic your demeanor in those situations, including acting on your attempts to comfort them under stressful situations. Many canine parents will pair this strategy with pet-friendly supplements to help their dog cope with distress. That’s partly why our Canna Companion product is so popular. It’s incredibly effective at encouraging a normal, calm demeanor in dogs, making it a great tool for relieving temporary and/or situational anxieties.
Contact Canna Companion Today!
Be sure to call or message us if you have any other questions about dog anxiety or how to help a scared dog overcome its fears. You can also reach out if you want to learn more about our industry-leading hemp supplements for pets. We look forward to hearing from you soon!