Helping Your Dachshund with Anxiety
Anxiety in dogs can present differently, but for Dachshunds, it often looks like excessive barking, uncharacteristic skittishness, and unpredictability that may make living with your pup a challenging experience.
If your dachshund is anxious, you’re probably looking for ways to help it feel better. After all, nobody likes to see their furry friend feeling stressed out. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help your dachshund relax and feel more comfortable. In this post, we will discuss three ways to stop dachshund anxiety.
Symptoms of Dachshund Anxiety
Dog anxiety is something that many dachshunds must endure, and it can take different forms such as excessive barking, destructive behavior, or even aggression. The source of your dachshund’s anxiety may vary from fear to separation anxiety to sensitivity toward loud sounds or unfamiliar people; therefore recognizing the root cause for this concern is essential for finding an effective solution. To confirm whether your dachshund is fighting anxiety or not, it’s crucial to check their conduct carefully.
Tell-tale signs of dog anxiety include:
- Unceasing panting
- Pacing back and forth nervously
- Shaking uncontrollably
- Never settling down in one place for long periods
- Exhibiting destructive tendencies inside the home such as chewing furniture
- Urinating or defecating indoors
- Excessive barking
- Aggression towards other dogs or humans
With all this taken into consideration, it becomes pretty easy to identify if your furry companion is suffering from any type of mental distress.
Related post: Separation Anxiety in Dachshunds
How to Calm an Anxious Dachshund
Before you investigate any behavioral problems, it’s important to check with your vet first and rule out any medical issues that may be causing anxiety. If your dachshund is undergoing medical treatment, ask if there could be a correlation between their medications and anxious behavior as well. This way, you can treat the underlying cause of their anxiety before considering other options. Here are 3 of the best ways to stop dachshund anxiety:
Desensitization
Dachshund owners can use a variety of techniques to comfort their pup’s anxiety. One approach is desensitization, which entails changing the pooch’s reaction to whatever makes them anxious and substituting it with an acceptable behavior such as sitting or gaining attention from its owner.
By using this strategy, we can help our furry friends combat any fears they have so they feel more secure and safe. Desensitization is a good way to strengthen your dog’s confidence and reduce their anxiety. This can be done by gradually introducing them to the object of their anxiety, with less intensity each time.
Regular exposure combined with positive reinforcement will surely help you manage anxious behaviors in your pup. However, it is always best to contact an experienced dog trainer for guidance when training an anxious pet as this process may not always be straightforward!
Exercise and train Your Dachshund
Exercising with your dachshund can be a great way to combat any anxious energy. Taking them out for a walk, or playing catch with their favorite toy are all ways to reduce stress and generate beneficial endorphins that will help keep your doxie calm during the day.
Training is also a crucial component for managing and reducing canine anxiety. Obedience training is a great way to help your dachshund get used to situations and people, which will help them feel more confident in the process.
Apart from teaching basic obedience commands like sit, stay, come, and heel; you should also practice common scenarios they might face such as socialization with other pets or people, this is important for any anxious animal. A trained dog tends to socialize more easily and is easier to handle in challenging situations.
Gradually train your dachshund to stay alone
Separation anxiety is common in dachshunds, but fear not! To help your doxie become comfortable being alone, you need to start small and allow them to practice for short periods at first. Begin by putting on your jacket and shoes, picking up the keys as if heading out for a walk or errand, then stepping out of the house for just thirty seconds. Gradually build from there until they can stay inside all on their own without feeling anxious.
When you return home, don’t acknowledge or greet him just yet; continue doing what you were already doing before departing. If he is relaxed after this short period of solitude, then slowly increase how long it lasts each instance that passes until he’s comfortable being left alone for long periods.
Acclimating your dachshund to being alone is a gradual process. Initially, try leaving him at home for just 3 or 4 short periods every day to avoid overwhelming and stressing him out. Over several weeks, incrementally extend these times as he becomes more comfortable with his newfound independence; you may be astonished by how quickly his confidence grows!
If your dachshund has extreme separation anxiety, begin by leaving him alone in a room, and never shut the door on him. Go into another area to close yourself off from them instead. When you feel he’s prepared, progress to allowing him time alone in the house for brief periods. If your dachshund shows signs of stress at any moment during the process, take one step back and move forward more gradually until he is content again.
Related post: How do you calm an anxious dachshund?
What is the best thing to give a dachshund with anxiety?
Get a pet camera
Interactive pet cameras are perfect for your beloved dachshund. They enable you to remotely stay connected with your pet when you are away, calming and comforting him with a simple chat or treat-dispensing session.
Not only does it offer peace of mind for both pet owner and pup alike, but its live feed also keeps tabs on how he’s doing throughout the day, so if there’s ever cause for concern, you’ll be made aware immediately!
Our favorite pet camera is the Furbo Dog Camera, which comes equipped with a range of features, such as barking alerts and treats dispensers.
Try an Anti-Anxiety Supplement
Anti-anxiety supplements are known for their calming effects, particularly from the amino acids L-Tryptophan and L-Theanie. These come together to boost serotonin levels and create an overall sense of well-being in your dog’s body. Plus, many chews contain a little melatonin, which can help regulate sleep patterns! So why not try out this chew with all these fantastic ingredients today?
Using CBD Oil for Dog Anxiety
Based on anecdotal reports from countless dog owners, CBD oil has successfully treated canine anxiety. The therapeutic molecule is derived from both the cannabis and hemp plants; conclusively demonstrating its efficacy for not only humans but also our furry friends! Furthermore, administering this powerful compound can provide pet owners with peace of mind as well as their beloved pooches.
When to hire a professional dog trainer?
If your dachshund is struggling with intense anxiety, you may need to consult a trainer. A professional can help you better understand the cause of anxiety, provide direction in terms of training and exercises to do with your pet and advise on any additional measures that may be beneficial. If nothing works, consult with your vet if anti-anxiety medications are necessary.
Related post: Managing Dachshund Behavior Problems
Conclusion
All-in-all, dog anxiety is an incredibly frequent issue that impacts many dachshunds. It’s essential to identify the root cause of your pup’s stress for them to receive the best treatment possible. With a combination of these three steps as well as professional help, if needed, your beloved dachshund will be on their way to feeling calmer and more confident in no time!
By taking the time to understand your pup’s needs and understanding the cause of their distress, you can create a better home environment for them to enjoy that is free from anxiety. With patience, dedication, and lots of love, you’ll feel much more relaxed in no time!
Good luck!
Related post: Dachshund Care: A Complete Guide to Keep Your Dachshund Happy and Healthy