ANXIETY IN DOGS

Anxiety in Dogs: Sometimes It Takes More Than One Approach

Anxiety is very common in dogs, and separation anxiety is one of the most frustrating forms—for both dogs and their families. Dogs with separation anxiety may bark, howl, pace, destroy things, have accidents in the house, or even try to escape when left alone.

One important thing to understand is that anxiety usually isn’t something we can fix with a single solution. It often takes a multimodal approach, meaning we use several different tools that work together.

I like to think of it as peeling the layers off an onion. Each treatment modality may remove one layer of anxiety, but we often need several layers removed before a dog is comfortable enough to cope with being alone.

What can help?

Behavior modification is an important part of treatment. This may include gradually teaching a dog that being alone is safe, changing their response to departure cues, rewarding calm behavior, and using structured desensitization and counter-conditioning.

Pheromones and environmental changes can provide another layer of support. Creating a predictable, comfortable environment and using calming tools may help reduce the overall level of stress.

Medications can also be extremely helpful for some dogs. Medication isn’t meant to simply “knock a dog out.” The goal is to reduce the underlying anxiety enough that the dog is able to learn and benefit from behavior modification.

And sometimes we use more than one medication or supplement, depending on the individual dog and the type and severity of anxiety.

Don’t wait until anxiety becomes severe

One of the biggest mistakes I see is waiting until a dog’s anxiety has become overwhelming before addressing it.

The earlier we intervene, the more opportunities we have to prevent anxious behaviors from becoming deeply established. Starting appropriate medication, behavior modification, environmental changes, and other supportive therapies early can make treatment much more successful.

Every dog is different, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all anxiety treatment plan. The best approach is one designed specifically for your dog, your family, and the type of anxiety your dog is experiencing.

If your dog is showing signs of anxiety, don’t just assume they will “grow out of it.” Talk with your veterinarian early. The sooner we start peeling away those layers, the easier it can be for your dog to learn that the world—and being alone—can be a little less scary.

Dr. Cassie Floral City Animal Clinic Inverness, FL

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