Pets Care

Question:

Six months ago I adopted a two year old dog. He is a well-mannered animal except for the anxiety he suffers when we leave him alone. He doesn’t destroy things or go to the bathroom in the house or even bark, but he shakes excessively whenever he knows we’re going to leave the house and he cries.

Upon returning, he is naturally, excited, but won’t leave our side. Even when we return home, he is still shaking for at least an hour. He becomes so upset that he won’t eat. In fact, the only time he is calm enough to eat is in the middle of the night, when he knows we are home. any suggestions? We have already tried all of the usual tactics…not making a fuss when we leave, crate training, etc…and seeing that he doesn’t eat, I don’t know that any medication would would help.

Julie

Answer:

Hi Julie

Thank you for your query. You are to be commended for researching the use of natural alternatives. We can recommend PetCalm contains a special blend of herbal and homeopathic ingredients known for their calming and soothing effect.

PetCalm is a natural remedy with no risk of side effects or addiction and can be safely used by animals of all ages and sizes.

PetCalm may be used regularly to reduce anxiety and stress in highly strung or chronically anxious pets, or as needed for relief during particularly stressful situations like competitive events, visits to the vet, change of home, domestic stress, etc.

You may also combine it with PetAlive Grief and Pining Formula, which contains a unique combination of specially selected herbal and homeopathic ingredients well known to treat depression and restore emotional well being.

Whether your pet is chronically depressed or having emotional difficulty due to separation or some other traumatic event, PetAlive Grief and Pining Formula will effectively lift mood and restore vitality, as well as improving your pet’s sense of well being and security.

PetAlive Grief and Pining Formula can be used regularly for the chronically depressed animal or when needed during periods of trauma, loss or separation.

For more info go to: Grief and Pining Formula

Please let us know if there is anything else we can assist you with.

Warm regards,

The Pet Health Consultant - The Native Remedies Team

For Anxiety and/or Nervousness try Lavender. Rub 1-2 drops between hands and apply to muzzle, between toes, on top of feet to smell when nose is down, and on edge of ears.

One to two drops of essential oil is all that is necessary on animals as they respond much more quickly to the essential oils than do humans. Vegetable oil can be added to extend essential oils over larger areas and to heavily dilute the essential oil for use on smaller animals.

This Daily Aromatherapy Tip is brought to you by http://AromaThyme.com

Environment in kennels is far removed from what a pet dog experiences at home. Some aspects like absence of the dog owner, different feeding and exercise timings are totally new for the dog. Add to this the unfamiliar noises and smells, temperature difference, change in diet and lack of exercise and what results is a dog who is vulnerable to stress, abnormal behavior and anxiety.

If you have to kennel your dog for some reason, make sure that you plan in advance. Take time off to check up some essentials before deciding on the kennel where you are going to leave your dog. This will go a long way in relieving stress in pets during their stay in the kennel.

* Check out whether the kennel staff is properly trained or not.
* Whether the staff has enough time at hand to devote to each dog.
* Kennel design is of utmost importance. Cramped and crowded kennels are liable to cause stress.
* Whether the kennel has separate areas for sleeping and runs or not.
* The number of dogs in each block has a direct impact on the noise levels that your dog will be exposed to. Unduly high noise levels are prime stressors.
* The temperature and ventilation in the kennel should be conducive to comfortable living.
* Whether the kennel provides special care if your dog is on medication or is old or disabled.
* Last but not least, whether the kennel owner allows items from home to be left with the dog to give enough time for acclimatization to a new environment.

Before actually leaving your dog with the kennel, some timely actions and precautions can go a long way in ensuring a comfortable stay.

* While leaving your dog, make sure that you have plenty of time at hand. Leave your dog at the kennel happily and do not let your panic pass on to him.
* Inform the kennel owner of the ailments and any particular requirements of your dog.
* It is a good idea to train dogs for kenneling when still young. Kennel him even if you are not going out anywhere. Separation anxiety in dogs can cause aggressive behaviors. Kennel training at a young age can help in your dog to get used to living without you.
* Leave some item of your clothing so that for the first few days the dog has a comforting scent at hand.
* Also take a couple of days’ normal food supply, favorite toys and chews and the unwashed bed that the dog is accustomed to.

Kennel owners have a vested interest in maintaining a stress free environment in kennels. Kennels that have environment that is conducive to good pet care attract more business. There is every reason that the kennel owner will accede to any logical prerequisites that you insist upon.

References:

http://www.boardingkennels.org/advice/TheCaringKennel.php

Traveling long distances can get stressful even for humans. As a pet owner, you might have faced issues with your dog while traveling. Sometimes getting the dog to get inside the car for a ride can be particularly challenging. If you have been taking your dog in the car only to visit the vet, he is likely to be averse to a car irrespective of whether you are planning to go to a playground, a holiday or the vet.

This does not mean that you cannot travel with your dog. Just as dogs have to be trained to live within the house, they need to be trained to travel in a car.

Since car rides may stress your dog, training the dog for travel in a car actually involves relieving stress in pets. It is important that you ensure that the agitation and anxiety that arises out of cramped and close environment be released.

The earlier you start the training, the better it is for you and the dog. Ensure that your first few trips with the puppy are to the playground or a field. This ensures that the association with a car ride is pleasant. If the first car trip is to the vet, it is likely to make him dread car travel forever.

For older dogs you need to desensitize them to the anxiety associated with car travel. Don’t try and push or force him into the car. Lure him with patience. Try feeding in the car for a couple of times without even starting the car. Allow him to get used to the car before you actually take him anywhere.

If you are traveling with someone ask your companion to pat the dog every now and then. This will help assure your pet that he is not alone. If you are traveling alone put a blanket at a place where the dog can lie down and not bother you while driving.

Remember that dogs are daytime animals and used to daytime activities. They need to get to know the land in order to identify with it through smell and vision. Natural association with the environment is the best way for acclimatization. On long trips it is advisable to stop the car occasionally and take the dog for a walk. This will help in allowing him to stretch his legs as well.

Like humans dogs can also get car sick. Do not feed the dog before traveling. Treat the dog when you arrive at your destination. The association with the treat will help you on your return trip.

Remember, when it comes to handling stress situations like car travel, it is not the breed or size of the dog that matters. Separation anxiety in dogs, trauma, medical disorders and a change in environment can affect a dog of any size. Sedation while traveling does help but you need to be prepared to handle the side effects of the medicine. Apt handling with proper understanding of dog psychology can help in relieving stress in pets.

References:

http://www.wikihow.com/Calm-a-Nervous-Dog-in-the-Car

http://webfoot.com/travel/tips/pets.html

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/travel/03pracdog.html

Dog is man’s best friend. We have heard this proverb numerous times and it is almost universally agreed that it is true. There are innumerable stories that support this truth. But it is also true that dogs must be trained for house life. There are many aspects of house training that you need to go through before you can rest assured that your dog is fully trained.

Dogs need to be house trained. They need to understand what behavior is desirable and what is not. Pet owners also need to ensure that their dogs do not suffer. For example, separation anxiety in dogs can lead to a situation where all that has been learnt can be forgotten.

Normally dogs are fast learners and can be trained at home if you know the basics. But for some specific situations you may need to take professional help. Anxiety is one of the conditions that can only be handled with specific techniques to be used. Such techniques can help in relieving stress in pets.

But one thing to note is that intensive training can get tiresome and frustrating at times. If you feel that you cannot be patient with your dog, employing a dog trainer is a better option. But sometimes even a trainer cannot succeed in his efforts for relieving stress in dogs? You may think that medication is the next best approach but you need to realize the side effects that they can cause.

Pet anxiety wrap is a recent invention that attempts to help in many ways if the claims made by manufacturers are to be believed.

The theory behind pet anxiety wraps is that dogs require different ways to learn from past experiences. The normal method of training is reward and punishment. This system almost always works. The exception, however, is of dogs whose past experience has been very harrowing and present fears are so overwhelming that they are unable to focus.

Pet anxiety wraps are made of materials that are fabricated. This product increases the positive effects of sensations that are sent by the brain’s receptors. A certain level of “maintained pressure” is applied continuously to calm frustrated nerves. The effect is similar to that of stroking and patting down a dog.

The sensitivity of the brain receptors is directly proportionate to the intensity and length of pressure applied. It also depends upon the area of the body where pressure is being applied. The density of receptors is the maximum in the feet and areas around the mouth.

Whatever the authenticity of the claims of manufacturers, anxiety wraps are marketed with a rider that they are a tool to be used in conjunction with other training techniques and not as a standalone remedy for all anxiety related undesirable behaviors.

References:

http://anxietywrap.com/

http://www.stormdefender.com/how_it_works.htm

Dogs cannot speak our language and we can never be sure whether their barking is a warning, a complaint or an expression of some discomfort. But there is one thing that we do know and that is that the barking is supposed to mean something.

A dog may bark for various reasons. And in many cases the barking is due to a previous situation or experience that he may have had. Research has unequivocally established that the dog’s brain does respond to stimuli and this was proven long time ago with Pavlov’s experiment.

Experiments reveal that there is imagery in the dog’s brain that induces specific dog behaviors. These behaviors could seem normal or abnormal to us but they do have a meaning. Dogs have the capacity to recall images of the owner, earlier smells and sounds and past experiences and these cause them to behave in a certain manner.

Imagine a situation where you return home at the same time every day and indulge in joyous playing with your puppy. The image of the good time that the young dog experiences gets ingrained in the dog brain. The problem arises on the day you are late from work.

The young dog recalls the images and anticipates the fun. He starts getting ready for play and then as your expected time of arrival passes, he starts fretting, pacing and barking. Relieving stress in pets becomes essential in such conditions so that the dog can cope with such unexpected situations.

In a similar manner certain images get associated with the act of leaving home. We may have a ritual of doing certain things like putting on our shoes, picking up the keys of the car and wearing a jacket that get recorded as images that get associated with leaving.

Since you are the owner, the dog is likely to associate your absence with a period of no affection and indulgence. This obviously is not desirable from the pet’s point of view. Many dogs get excessively possessive and follow the owner from room to room or try to obstruct the passage to the main door. If you do find your way out and actually leave, you may find that your house is in shambles when you return.

Objects associated with leaving may suddenly go missing. Shoes may have been chewed upon. A condition like this is called separation anxiety in dogs and is more evident among dogs that are excessively pampered by their owners.

A lot of research has been done on the issue of whether dogs can think or not. After having studied dog behavior one can easily conclude that the dog’s brain definitely retains experiences. The manner in which they are stored and recollected, however, is hazy.

Reference:

http://www.webtrail.com/petbehavior/dogthink.html

http://www.dogtrainingsite.net/dogbody/dogs_nervous_system.htm

Adapted from Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals by Kristen Leigh Bell (Findhorn, 2002). Article courtesy of http://www.care2.com/

Here is an ideal blend of essential oils to calm dogs in stressful situations: dogs with separation anxiety; training or show nerves; hyperactivity; fear of people, places, or things. Just hold this blend to their noses.

Calm Canine Essential Oil Blend

* ½ oz. base oil (for example, sweet almond or hazelnut)
* 3 drops Valerian essential oil
* 2 drops Vetiver essential oil
* 4 drops Petigrain essential oil
* 3 drops Sweet Marjoram essential oil
* 2 drops Sweet Orange essential oil

Store in a dark glass bottle. The calming effect of this blend will range from “taking the edge off” to soothing a dog to the point where it gets very mellow and takes a nap. You can adjust the number of drops used to get the desired effect, anywhere from 1-6 drops depending on the size of the dog.

Biographical stories and scientific research suggest that dogs have a reasonably high intelligence. This, however, does not mean that dogs can premeditate and solve problems. What they do have is a certain association between cause and effect that registers in their minds over time.

Separation anxiety in dogs arises from exactly these types of cause and effect associations that they learn by trial and error. Some dogs take separation from owners in their stride whereas some resort to undesirable behaviors.

These undesirable behaviors can border on destructive behaviors at times. Apart from separation anxieties, some dogs may also show anxious behavior during thunderstorms, car rides or visitors.

Conventional medications rely upon antidepressants to suppress anxiety. The side effects of the drugs are an inhibiting factor and often lead people to a search for alternate measures. Natural remedies and diets are effective measures that can prove to be curative while avoiding the side effects that accompany drugs.

Homeopathic remedies are a safe way to calm emotional turbulences in dogs. Homeopathic remedies do not induce sleep so that the negative behavior can be avoided. They ease the anxiety to a great extent especially when the dog encounters anxious situation like separation from the owner. You can choose to opt for a branded product or consult a qualified homeopathic veterinarian who will then give you a specific medicine for severe anxiety.

Herbs can also provide relief from anxiety. In addition they tone up and strengthen the body by aiding in digestion and maintaining a healthy metabolic rate. Essences made from different plants and flowers known for their medicinal properties have proven to be efficacious in allaying anxiety in dogs and humans. The herbs can be administered orally or can be rubbed near the paws or ears. They can also be added to drinking water.

One such concoction of herbs that can provide relief from anxiety is a mixture of ginger root, chamomile, valerian root and passion flower. Herbs and oils for treating mild to moderate anxiety normally take longer to start taking effect. But they prove to be more effective in fighting the root cause of the problem as compared to antidepressant drugs.

The natural approach that all alternative therapies take is a holistic one. Coupled with behavior modification efforts, natural remedies can prove to be very effective in solving separation anxiety related behavior problems in dogs. And since the main objective is to attempt relieving stress in pets these can be extremely helpful in accomplishing overall relief from any kind of stress that is causing anxious behavior.

References:

http://onlynaturalpet.com/KnowledgeBase/knowledgebasedetail.aspx?articleid=43

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Holistic-Approach-to-Dog-Separation-Anxiety&id=569775

http://www.8pawsup.com/articles/health/separationanxiety.html

http://www.botanicaldog.com/herbal_remedies_for_dogs.php

Understanding your dog’s body language can be a complex task. Researchers now believe that a single behavior may have multiple meanings and therefore an action cannot be generalized. Dog behavior has to be understood contextually.

We tend to generalize that when a dog wags his tail, he is happy. However, there are times when a dog will wag his tail (for example when you are leaving him to go out) to convey anxiety rather than excitement.

Domesticated dogs also form a healthy bond with the owner and their family. This leads to overdependence on the owner which can at times become overbearing. More than anything else, overdependence can lead to fear of separation.

Over time, if unchecked this anxiety can lead to abnormal behavior from an otherwise friendly dog. Fear and aversion to isolation is one of the main reasons behind anxiety that can cause undesirable and abnormal behavior in dogs.

Treating separation anxiety in dogs with medication is the route that many pet owners take since it is probably easier than the other options. But anxiety medication has its own drawbacks.

Clomipramine and amitriptyline are two main drugs that are used to suppress anxiety in dogs. These drugs are tricyclic antidepressants and can have serious side effects. They can also interfere with other medications that the dog may need for other conditions. Some of the side effects of these antidepressants that need to be monitored are:

* Diarrhea, sedation and vomiting.
* Urine retention.
* Low blood pressure.
* Disturbance in bowel movements.
* Dry mouth and decreased salivation.

Another reason why anxiety medication should not be resorted to as the first option is that these drugs are not final solutions for the problem in any case. At best these medications will help in calming down the dog for a short period of time. Once the effect of the drug wears off, similar issues with abnormal behavior are likely to start.

Given the severe side effects that such medication can cause, it is prudent to resort to using them only under certain unavoidable circumstances. Some of the situations that may lead you to consider anxiety medication are:

* Extremely severe symptoms of anxiety
* The need to leave the dog alone for a protracted period of time
* Using the medication during the intermediary period while you are trying to modify your dog’s behavior.

Your efforts should probably aim at relieving stress in your pet rather than opting for medication. Such medication can only prove to be a stopgap solution. To ensure that the root cause of the anxiety is treated and cured permanently, behavior modification is essential.

The process of behavior modification is not an easy one and high levels of patience are required to be able to start and complete the entire behavior modification exercise that you may have taken up. Sometimes you may need to train your dog all over again.

The premise behind behavior modification is to assure your pet that you will always return when you leave him. You can try a new safety cue for your dog when you have to leave him. To start with, leave the cue and then come back within a couple of minutes.

Gradually increase your dog’s exposure to situations that you feel cause anxiety. Train your dog to expect pleasure rather than fear from situations that normally give rise to anxiety.

Make sure that you are prepared for situations wherein you may have to retrace your steps in the behavior modification process. Being prepared will enable you to handle frustrating situations in a better manner.

References:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1551&articleid=2266

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1551&articleid=616

Undesirable and destructive behavior from your dog can get extremely irritating. It is especially peeving if you have made sure that he is trained adequately right from the time that he was a puppy. After you are sure that your dog is fully trained, bad behavior does become difficult to tolerate and cope with.

However, it is important to understand that there are many reasons why your dog can relapse into untrained, destructive or extremely submissive behavior even after years of training. It is common for perfectly restrained dogs to go berserk at times with no apparent reason.

One of the reasons why some dogs can forget all that they have learnt is anxiety. Even though dogs are intelligent animals, they are incapable of controlling stress and anxiety that they may feel due to various reasons.

Anxiety brings out the worst in a dog. There can be various reasons for anxiety but the one that is most common is separation anxiety in dogs. Dogs are known to spoil furniture, urinate in the house, break objects and indulge in excessive barking when their owner leaves them. Such destructive behavior should not be construed as revenge (since dogs are almost incapable of that emotion).

It is merely an expression of extreme displeasure at being left alone. Since dogs are pack animals and have an inherent aversion to isolation, they feel anxious at being left alone and wonder whether the owner will ever come back or not.

Anxiety disorders can be induced by other situations too. Some dogs reacts unpleasantly when there are too many people around. They are not used to crowds and jostling and tend to break out. The reaction that such situations cause can vary from dog to dog. Some may fight and others might run away from the scene. In some dogs visitors at home can spark off undesirable behavior.

Loud noises can also cause anxiety. It can start as fear from a particular kind of a loud noise, like a thunderstorm. If not corrected, this anxiety about loud noises can extend to other noises like gunshots, engine rumble or any loud bang.

The most common reaction to noise related anxiety is to cower or shudder. Many dogs take shelter under a bed or a sofa. But some aggressive dogs react with excessive barking, as if they were trying to out-shout the loud noise.

If your dog associates a trip to the veterinarian with a car ride, chances are that he will get anxious even if you try and take him to a park. Fear and anxiety about any trip can occur if the association is strong and if his trips to the vet have almost always been unpleasant.

Anxiety disorders are a direct outcome of some sort of stress that your pet feels. One needs to understand the cause behind the anxious behavior and address the specific object or situation that is causing stress.

Relieving stress in pets requires patient and consistent training. You need to use the technique of desensitizing to be able to relieve your pet of the stress. Some useful tips for handling anxiety disorders can always prove to be handy.

* Separation Anxiety - Use confidence building measures to convey to your dog that you will return whenever you leave him.
* Car Trips - Lure your dog into the car rather than pushing and forcing him in. Patience and rewards will help
* Social Anxiety - Increase exposure to humans slowly and gradually.
* Noise Anxiety - Keen observation is a key for handling this anxiety disorder. Anticipate and be ready with dog treats and try to associate noise with rewards.

References:

http://dogs.about.com/cs/behaviorissues/a/bltip003.htm

http://dogs.about.com/cs/behaviorissues/a/anxiety_noise.htm

http://dogs.about.com/cs/behaviorissues/p/sep_anxiety.htm

http://dogs.about.com/cs/disableddogs/a/anxiety_three.htm