Dogs can suffer fear and anxiety for a variety of reasons. Anxiety activates the autonomic nervous system, triggering the fight or flight response. Fear reactions are a natural part of survival instincts, but abnormal anxiety and fear responses can cause problems for pets. If you have a dog with anxiety issues, you need several tools to help combat abnormal anxiety.
Treating anxiety and fear in dogs
· Petlab’s calming chews for dogs contain all-natural calming supplements such as valerian root, hemp extract, and chamomile. However, despite the natural ingredients, they should be used under the direction of your veterinarian. The chews also contain L-Tryptophan, an amino acid that helps boost serotonin in the brain. The chews can be given anytime the dog exhibits a fear or anxiety response. The all-natural ingredients should help to relax your dog, helping you continue a routine of exposure training.
· Exposure training is introducing your dog to the things that trigger their anxiety response in a controlled manner. The methodical implementation of exposure training will help a dog gradually come to terms with the things that are triggering the anxiety. If loud noises send your dog whimpering, shaking, and hiding, you will institute a loud sound in a controlled environment. Meanwhile, you are there to comfort and soothe. Once the dog is calm, you offer a favorite reward, such as a treat or a favorite toy. When implemented over and over again, it works much like behavioral modification does in humans.
· Separation anxiety is common in some dogs. Petlab’s Calming Chews can be used to help your dog remain calmer when left alone. The chews should be used in conjunction with other training techniques such as plenty of exercises before leaving the dog, toys, and other things to keep the pet safely entertained and an excess of attention when you return.
Do Petlab’s Calming Chews work
Much like it is for humans, anxiety and fear are complex mechanisms in dogs. Petlab’s calming chews can help your pet, but only when used as part of a routine that addresses the entire mechanism of anxiety. If your dog becomes anxious when meeting new people, then giving him a calming chew before company comes over can help. That should be followed by calmly introducing him to one new person at a time and providing a safe place away from people when he starts to exhibit signs fo being overwhelmed.
As with most pet training, a reward system works well. Introduce your dog to something that prompts anxiety while calmly helping him succeed in remaining calm. When he exhibits calm behavior, offer a reward. It is not uncommon to have to repeat this process over and over again before your dog’s brain is re-wired from fear to enthusiasm.
Some dogs can have extreme phobias. If your dog shows intense fear, shaking, racing heart, aggression, and inability to calm down, you need to seek expert advice about how to proceed. Some breeds are more prone to extreme anxieties than others. Your dog may need anti-anxiety medication to manage this intense fear. Talk to your veterinarian about conditioning, training, and medication options.
Use the feeding guide that comes with PetLab’s Calming Chews. You need to follow the exact dosing instructions to receive optimum results. Though they are made with all-natural ingredients, too much can still be detrimental to your pet. If used correctly, over time, you should see a reduction in anxious behavior, such as:
· Tail tucking
· Hiding
· Panting
· Pacing
· Escape behaviors
· Diarrhea or other digestive problems
As with any time you introduce a new food, snack, or medication, oversee your pet for adverse effects or an allergic reaction. The odds of an adverse reaction or low, but it is always better to practice safe habits with your pet.
