If your dog has recently been diagnosed with anxiety, and you are now in the process of navigating the most effective ways to ensure your dog lives a normal, happy, and healthy life, you are not alone. We are here to help. Here are several strategic training techniques and tricks to help treat your dog’s anxiety.
Practice Desensitization
Desensitization is a method used to help your dog adapt to the specific anxiety stimulus that bothers them. In order to do this, you must expose your pet to the anxiety stimulus at a low intensity, little by little to build their tolerance and acceptance towards their anxiety or feared stimulus.
For instance, if your dog is anxious about the sound of fireworks, get them used to hearing fireworks by gently playing the sounds of fireworks inside your home while they are calm and repeat this process while increasing the volume each time. After each desensitization session, reward your dog with a treat or words of encouragement to show them that their behavior was positive.
Counterconditioning
Counterconditioning involves training your dog to have a different reaction to their anxiety stimulus by using positive reinforcements to shift their behavior. An example of counterconditioning may be teaching your dog to sit and rewarding them with their favorite treat when they perform the desired action. Then in moments when your dog’s anxiety stimulus arises, you can ask them to perform their trick in an effort to redirect their focus to you rather than the anxiety stimulus.
Speak With a Veterinary Professional
For dogs with severe anxiety or anxious behaviors that are not improving with desensitization or counterconditioning efforts, it’s important to speak with your trusted veterinary professional. In severe cases, a dog may benefit from a referral to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, or anxiety medication.
To learn more about anxiety in dogs and how to manage it, contact your local veterinarian to schedule an appointment today.