ssed Out
WHEN GOOD DOGS DRIVE YOU MAD
PRINGER
How Pet Owners Can Address Anxiety
follow orders and when they’re left alone they are anxious because nobody is telling them what they should do next. This is why anxiety is a common problem in hunting or herding breeds like springers, border collies, and shepherds. Taylor passed away many years ago, after a long, happy life that didn’t involve being left in the woods. I learned that many anxious dogs actually love being in a kennel, because they know the rules there. It’s a safe space where they can hang out and wait. After we kennel-trained Taylor, she loved the routine and was happy to wait in the kennel for 10 minutes while I ran to the store, or for four hours until I came home to let her out at lunch. Kennels definitely aren’t the answer for every anxious dog, but it was a lesson to me on how, with the right tools, you can deal with your pet’s anxiety problems. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, because finding a system that works is the best thing for you and your dog.
“I’d love to take a vacation, but we can’t leave the dog alone for that long.”
“We just can’t take him anywhere!”
“Sorry, I can’t come out after work. I have to go home to see what mess my dog made.”
Pets bring a lot of joy into our lives, but when bad behavior becomes a problem, it’s not uncommon for people to fall out of love with their pets. The No. 1 reason pets end up at the shelter is behavioral problems. Quite often, these problems are a byproduct of anxiety, which can be addressed! Here’s what every pet lover needs to know about animal anxiety. Signs of Animal Anxiety In dogs, anxiety tends to manifest as destructive behavior. Some dogs destroy the inside of the house or hurt themselves trying to break out of their kennel. Even being outside isn’t enough to address anxiety. Anxious dogs who spend their days outside might rip the siding off the house or dig holes. Other signs of anxiety include vocalization (constant barking) or inappropriate urination and defecation. Cats can suffer from anxiety too. Some cats exhibit destructive behavior, like peeing outside the litter box or tearing up the carpet, but cats with anxiety most often show personality changes. They might have a different sleep pattern, not want to sit in the living room with you anymore, spend a lot of time hiding, or refuse to go outside. Training, time, and patience — Anxiety is a behavioral problem, which means that training your pet to change their behavior is the best way to improve the situation. There are plenty of great trainers in the Kalispell area who can help your pet learn how to respond better to normal situations. Supplements — Introducing certain supplements to your pet’s diet or environment can help them relax. For example, a pheromone diffuser can be useful in addressing feline anxiety and we have specific amino acid supplements for cats and dogs to help alleviate stress Drug therapy — There is no “magic pill” to cure anxiety. There are some prescription medications that can help with anxiety, but they are only used as a tool in addition to training in severe cases. When it comes to dealing with anxiety, both pets and their owners must work together. If your pet’s bad behavior has you at your wits’ end, don’t feel embarrassed about talking to the veterinary team at The Animal Clinic of Kalispell. We might be able to help you address the problem, so you can fall in love with your pet again. How to Manage Anxiety Here are a few ways to deal with anxiety in your pet:
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. Line
baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Combine flour, water, coconut oil, oats, mint, and parsley in a large bowl. Mix well until it forms a ball of dough. 3. Add food coloring and knead until dough becomes the desired shade of green. 4. Roll dough to 1/4–1/2-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut dough into various shapes. 5. Place on lined baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes. 6. Make sure treats cool completely before letting your dogs dig in. Treats can be stored in an airtight container for two weeks.
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