Scaredy-dog
Saucer eyes, panting, trembling, drooling, cowering or hiding. Fear can be an awful emotion to watch and a difficult behavior to change in a dog. While it may not seem painful, fear can be debilitating and can lead to destructive or aggressive behavior, from chewing on door frames to biting.
Not all fearful dogs have been abused or have suffered a tragic past. Some dogs are simply more fearful than others. Fear is a natural emotion. Without it, many wild animals would not survive encounters with humans or other animals. Problems arise when fear degrades quality of life.
The first step to health is help. Never punish or coddle fear. Instead, a veterinarian should thoroughly examine the dog and eliminate any physiological reason for the behavior.
Keep a log of the events or situations that scare your dog. You might notice your dog panics if it sees a man in a hat, but doesn’t react around hatless people. Perhaps objects with wheels set your dog into a panic attack, or maybe it tries hiding when strangers come into your home.
These situations or events are called “triggers.” Knowing your dog’s triggers can help you teach your dog to cope with these fears. It doesn’t matter what caused the fear; it matters that you know the triggers and can take steps to minimize your dog’s reaction.
Treatment is multipronged and should be done under your vet’s guidance. Gradual desensitizing, exercise, massage or acupuncture treatments may help. There are also over-the-counter calming aids, such as the flower essence Rescue Remedy, anxiety coats designed for use during storms, and in extreme cases, medication for short-term or situational use.
It will take time and effort, but it is manageable. While fear is natural, it shouldn’t destroy a dog’s quality of life.
- Teresa Brown Posted 12/15/2009 | Share This | Get Email | Get FREE Magazine
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