What to do when our pets display anxiety behavior?

What to do when our pets display anxiety behavior?

Make note of everything that you and other family members do that triggers the anxiety. e.g. picking up the car keys. The dog, turtle, cat would have typical anxiety symptoms when they notice you go through the pre-departure routine. Like putting on shoes, jersey, jacket, closing doors, and windows, switching off the TV, picking up your car keys, etc.

Now start with desensitizing the dog [for example]. Pick up the keys and let them jingle in your hand or on your belt for hours. Put on your shoes and jacket, pick up the keys and go sit in the dining room to have lunch or go watch TV for a long time. Do this for example when you are planning to watch a rugby match. Switch the TV off, put on your shoes, close the curtains and go make yourself a cup of coffee. After three or four weeks, the dog would take practically no notice of these activities. Always remember – do not reinforce anxious behavior, by responding to it. Ignore the dog completely until it has calmed down.

Now start with “leaving the house” desensitization. Go outside, initially without things like the car key, shoes, etc. Close the door and open it again by the count of 15. Slowly extend the time outside. After a while, take the car keys with you, but open the door again before the dog starts barking or whining. Slowly increase this time as well.

After you can stay outside for at least 30 minutes, without triggering anxiety, you can start the car. Let it idle for a few minutes and come right back into the house. Again, do not respond to anxious behavior – ignore it completely. Calmly sit down somewhere and give attention only when the dog is calm and quiet.

When you go outside for an extended period, give the dog a stuffed Kong, or braided ostrich sinews. Something nice that will keep the dog busy for a while. Now, take the vehicle out of the driveway and stay away for about 5 minutes. Increase this time away from the house gradually.

ornate box turtle NEVER GIVE ANY RECOGNITION TO THE DOG WHILE IT IS DISPLAYING ANXIETY BEHAVIOR.

This process may take as long as 6 weeks, be patient.

In severe cases, it may be necessary to ignore the dog completely for three or four weeks. Keep in mind, if it is currently only clinging to one family member, it may simply transfer its clinging habit to another family member who now gives attention.

Apart from making sure that the dog’s physical needs are attended to, it may receive no attention whatsoever from any family member. Ignoring the dog may seem severe and harsh, but in the end, it will result in a much happier dog and a strong healthy relationship between pet and owner.

The golden rule is always, prevention is better than cure. You can use these methods to teach a new puppy from an early age, that it does not have to be afraid to be alone. If you have a new dog that you adopted from a shelter, start with the training from the first day. Nevertheless, give huge amounts of quality attention while the dog is calm and quiet.

Good luck and remember: PATIENCE is the key.