stress
symptomsStiffening of body
Cowering, lowering of body Trembling Whining Barking Incontinence Panting Drooling Excessive licking Ears held back Tail held low Hiding under furniture In severe cases - bloat |
common causesPoor socialisation
Fireworks Loud noises Travel Change of environment Dog shows Mating New addition to family Injury Stressed owner Victim of attack |
Dealing with Fireworks
The site http://www.dogsandfireworks.com/ gives full and excellent advice on coping with fireworks.
treatments
There are many treatments for stress, depending on the cause and severity:
- Pheromone treatment (DAP/Adaptil)
- Socialisation
- Provide a relaxing environment
- Medication
- Rescue Remedy and Homeopathic treatments including Denes Bonfire+ drops
- Thundershirts
Pheromone treatments
These are suitable for use when introducing your dog to a new environment and/or situation or for occasions when you know your dog will suffer from stress. DAP/Adaptil contain synthetic pheromones that replicate those a mother dog produces to calm young puppies. These are available as plug-in, spray or infused collars. The plug-ins are good for homes during firework season or for introducing new dogs into your home. The spray is useful for preparing your car and the dog's crate. The collars are useful for young puppies during their socialisation phase and also for adult rescue dogs as they acclimatise to their new surroundings. The collars are also useful if your male dog is going to encounter bitches on heat, for example at a dog or companion show. Not only do dogs find the biological imperative to reproduce stressful in itself, but the accompanying stress of other entire dogs competing for a single bitch can be overwhelming.
SOCIALISATION
For new puppies or rescue dogs see the section on Socialisation in New Puppy Health Care.
Provide a relaxing environment
Every dog should have a safe den that they can retreat to when frightened or over stimulated. Crates serve this purpose perfectly, with a blanket or cover over the top they provide a secure retreat for your dog with just a single means of entry for them to guard. Ideally their crate or bed should be situated away from loudspeakers, televisions and bright lights so that they can fully relax and rewind. The exception to this is during firework season when a TV/Stereo playing loudly can help to absorb any sudden loud bangs.
Learn to relax yourself: Often dogs become fearful because they detect tension and anxiety in their owner. Stretching and yawning are a good way to indicate to your dog that they have nothing to fear.
Learn to relax yourself: Often dogs become fearful because they detect tension and anxiety in their owner. Stretching and yawning are a good way to indicate to your dog that they have nothing to fear.
medication
If your dog is excessively fearful, discuss medication with your vet in the short term and seek professional behavioural training for the problem - fearful dogs are not only deeply unhappy but can become very ill and/or dangerous.
thundershirts
ThunderShirt applies a gentle, calming pressure around your dog's torso to relax & sooth them. They work in much the same way as swaddling a baby. They have been shown to be effective for all types of stress.
This is the lovely Thompson Glazik modelling his. Thompson was afraid of fireworks but is now chilled out and cheerful thanks to his Thundershirt,
This is the lovely Thompson Glazik modelling his. Thompson was afraid of fireworks but is now chilled out and cheerful thanks to his Thundershirt,
