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Anxiety and stress in dogs

Behavior of the Dog

Dogs use their entire body, from head to tail, to communicate; both with other dogs and with humans. If you learn to read this body language correctly, you can interpret a lot of the dog's behavior correctly. Dogs have been kept as pets for ages. Much of their behavior is learned or adapted through contact with humans, but dogs also have instincts and exhibit a lot of natural behavior. Wild dogs live in packs, are surrounded by their peers, and therefore love social interaction. A dog preferably doesn't want to be alone for too long, as this is perceived as unnatural and unsafe. Therefore, make sure you provide for all your dog's needs by taking regular walks and playing, giving your dog enough attention when you're at home, challenging them with activities like scent tracking and sniffing. But also ensure your dog gets enough rest. Dogs sleep an average of 12-14 hours a day; larger and older dogs need about 16-18 hours of sleep, and puppies require 18 to 20 hours! If dogs cannot sleep enough and well, it can have consequences for their health and behavior.

Behavioral Problems in Dogs

Even if you, as an owner, have the best intentions for your dog, they may still exhibit undesirable behavior. This can have various causes, such as traumatic experiences, pain, the wrong owner-dog combination, the (prolonged) ignoring of certain stress or anxiety signals, or (well-intended) behavior from the owner that the dog doesn't like.

Behavioral Therapy for Dogs

Plenty of attention, lots of love, and routine are important pillars to prevent problem behavior in your dog and cater to their natural behavior. A dog's behavior can be modified through training, but the underlying cause of the behavior also needs to be addressed. This is where a behavior therapist can help. Behavioral therapy delves deeper into your dog's behaviors, so that your dog feels more self-assured and experiences that they don't have to be afraid. Always seek a behavior therapist who works based on positive teaching methods; negative methods or punishment always backfire! In combination with behavioral therapy, you can also use Zylkene supplements.

Fear in Dogs

Dogs are brave animals, but they can also be afraid. Fear itself is not a behavior, but (undesirable) behavior can stem from fear. Fear can arise from insecurity, inadequate socialization during the puppy phase, a traumatic experience, but also from pain or another medical problem. Common forms of fear in dogs include:

  • Separation anxiety
  • Fear of fireworks
  • Thunderstorms
  • A visit to the veterinarian
  • Car rides
  • Moving
  • Visitors

You can help your dog feel less anxious by trying to reassure them. This way, you are not reinforcing the dog's fear; you are simply providing them with a more comfortable - and therefore less anxious - feeling. Additionally, there are products that can help your dog be less anxious. For example, if your dog has fireworks anxiety, the Thundershirt might offer a solution. Or if your living or family situation is changing, you can calm your dog in advance with the help of Telizen dietary supplements.

Stress in Dogs

A dog can experience both positive and negative stress. Positive stress occurs when your dog is happy or excited, for example, when you go for a walk. Negative stress, however, is a sign that your dog is not comfortable. It is, therefore, essential to learn to recognize the signals. Signs of stress in dogs include:

  • Licking the mouth and/or the nose
  • Yawning
  • Turning the head and looking away
  • Slowly blinking the eyes
  • Panting
  • Showing the white of the eye
  • Raising a front paw
  • Shaking off (your dog literally shakes off the stress)
  • Whining, barking, or howling
  • Restlessness, hyperactivity, or pacing
  • Trembling
  • Lying on their back with legs drawn up and looking away

It is important to consider these signals in the context of the moment; if your dog is tired and yawning, it is not necessarily a sign of stress. Or if you have taken a long walk with your dog, and they are panting, it may not be a sign of stress either.

Dogs exhibit many of these signals to comfort themselves. You can send similar signals to reassure your dog. For example, if you see that your dog is stressed and blinking their eyes, try blinking back. You will notice that your dog becomes calmer over time!

Products for Anxiety and Stress in Your Dog

There are many products available that can help your dog with anxiety and stress-related behavior, including:

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