{"id":1031,"date":"2020-03-10T08:22:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-10T08:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tailsdogblog.com\/?p=1031"},"modified":"2022-03-30T11:53:35","modified_gmt":"2022-03-30T10:53:35","slug":"national-stress-awareness-day-how-can-i-tell-if-my-dog-is-suffering-from-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tails.com\/blog\/national-stress-awareness-day-how-can-i-tell-if-my-dog-is-suffering-from-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Anxiety in dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it comes to dogs, we think of waggy tails and those happy dog smiles. So when your dog shows signs of anxiety and anxious behaviours, it can feel very worrying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warning signs aren\u2019t always obvious, so we\u2019ve put together this blog on what causes anxiety in your dog, how to spot it, as well as sharing some helpful ways to help your dog feel calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is my dog anxious?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first 16-18 weeks of a puppy\u2019s life is their socialisation window<\/strong>. This is a crucial time for them to explore the world. As part of this, you should give your puppy space to interact with other dogs (a mix of breeds and sizes is great) and to introduce them to new situations, objects and people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A properly socialised dog shouldn\u2019t find new things terrifying. Exposing your dog to different experiences allows them to develop confidence and good social skills when interacting with other dogs. It can also help to prevent the development of anxieties in later life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Causes of anxiety in dogs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dog anxiety is usually caused by triggers in their environment<\/strong>. It stems from fear of the unknown, so if your dog wasn\u2019t well socialised as a young puppy, they can develop stress and anxiety around new encounters – like people, animals, new places and even objects around the home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noise<\/strong> is another common cause of anxiety – especially in fireworks season. These loud noises and unfamiliar sounds overwhelm our dogs\u2019 senses and they quickly become stressed, and in some cases, frantic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Separation anxiety<\/strong> is another common form of dog anxiety, and is estimated to affect between 13 to 18% of dogs. It usually happens when a dog is left home alone – they find it hard to relax or get comfortable when they\u2019re away from people they love. This can lead to destruction, excessive barking and other unwanted behaviours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes separation anxiety can be confused with boredom<\/strong>, so it\u2019s important to understand the true cause of your dog\u2019s behaviour when you\u2019re away from them. If their behaviour is due to a lack of mental stimulation, try out boredom busters such as chew toys and lick mats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to spot anxiety in dogs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our dogs rely on body language and behaviour to communicate with us, so keep an eye out for some of the more common behaviours a stressed or anxious dog might display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n