What’s Causing Your Dogs Phobias
Wednesday, 4. November 2009
Our pets share the same instinct that we as humans have. We have an innate reaction to a threat that we have been born with. It’s a flee, flight or fight reaction to a dangerous situation; real or perceived.
An automatic reaction to a fearful situation is a trait we are born with. Our dogs are the same and they experience some of the same reactions as we do. Abnormal behaviors displayed in your dog, over time, can be changed.
Your dog can exhibit symptoms of anxiety in ways such as excessive barking, uncontrollable urination or whining. These are triggered by either visible stresses or separation. The most common stress a dog experiences is separation anxiety.
Loud, sudden noises like fireworks or thunder claps can cause your dog anxiety. Your dog might have a phobia which can be described as a unjustifiable fear of sudden sounds. Dogs can be trained to “unlearn” this behavior by observing signs of the onset of this patterned behavior and stopping it.
The older your dog gets the more he might experience anxiety to separation. Memory loss and loss of thinking can cause these reactions to being alone. Dogs between 12 and 36 months are beginning to socially develop which is when these anxieties typically will begin. Withdrawal or severe fear is normal in pups between 8 and 10 months.
Some signs that your dog might be suffering some phobias or anxieties can vary. Tails tucked, withdrawn behavior or trembling can be identified as signs of mild fear. Some fears and anxieties are hard to diagnosis due to no identifiable stimulus.
What causes your dog to develop these conditions? Illness or a physical condition that causes pain can contribute to the development of phobias, fears or anxiety. Puppies not given proper social exposure until the age of 14 weeks may become fearful.
Many abandoned dogs who are adopted out by a new family will suffer from separation anxiety. Dogs coming from abusive situations might have fear phobias. These precious animals need a lot of love and positive reinforcement and can eventually live happy lives.
As with any issue concerning our pets, we do suggest that you visit your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis when possible. Some dogs affected might respond to behavioral modifications but it’s not a guarantee. Many of these behavioral issues can be treated with medication but those sometimes can take up to 2 weeks to take effect.
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