Resources for Dogs Exhibiting Signs of Anxiety

Have you recognized signs of anxiety in your dog?

Fear not! They can still live a very happy and fulfilling life as your favorite four-legged little monster. :)

First and foremost, always be in contact with your dog’s routine caregivers regarding your dog’s behavior. This means asking questions and discussing your dog’s behavior with their Dog Walker, Doggie Daycare Staff and/or Friends and Family who may care for your pet. Keep in mind that you will want to discuss behavioral signs with the people who spend the most amount of time with your pet, most frequently, so that you are prepared to discuss this topic with your Veterinary Staff, who likely sees your dog less frequently and in one of the most stressful environments for your pet. You will be helping both your Veterinary Staff and your pup by being educated about these symptoms and gathering data on your pup’s behavior prior to your appointment. We recommend asking your dog’s primary caregivers to document any concerning behavior so that you are prepared to share this information with your Veterinarian.

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I’ve been observing my dog’s behavior and talking to their routine caregivers. I think my dog is struggling with anxiety. What can I do?

If possible, we recommend reaching out to a Veterinary Behaviorist, or a Veterinarian with a Special Interest in Behavior. These professionals will be able to assess your dog for signs of pain or illness, and write recommendations and prescriptions as needed in an effort to help you and your pup. They will often be able to help you work on basic training cues with your dog, and have connections with other behavior professionals who they may refer to for training.

If this is not an option due to your location, financial situation, etc., we recommend speaking with your regular veterinarian about your experience with your dog and the symptoms you’ve recognized.

Remember, knowledge is power! It is always important to ask questions. When considering the addition of supplements or medications to your dog’s routine, make sure that you understand what your dog is being prescribed and why. Be sure to discuss common side effects and only agree to trial these items when you feel comfortable doing so. Remember to communicate these changes with your dog’s routine caregivers so that they are prepared to monitor for side effects and provide you with observations on how your dog’s behavior is affected.

Daily Medication V.S. ‘As Needed’

If your Veterinarian does recommend medication for your dog, it is crucial that you discuss what medication schedule will most benefit both you and your dog.

It might seem like a no-brainer that someone must be available to administer medication for your dog. So, be sure to consider your own daily routine when committing to a medication schedule for your pup!

When discussing daily or ‘as needed’ medication, consider the type of anxiety your pup exhibits. Is it in relation to specific objects or scenarios that you control exposure to? Or is your dog just kind of…always on edge? This is why it is so important to be armed with observable data prior to your appointment, so that your veterinarian can provide an accurate prescription to meet your dog’s needs.

For specific scenarios like thunderstorms or fireworks, an ‘as needed’ medication may be helpful. If your dog is exhibiting these signs regularly and without any obvious trigger, a daily medication may be more helpful.

Be sure to discuss these differences in your consultation with your Veterinarian.

Who Does Mythic Bones Recommend?

We would love to help you and your little monster - but we understand that our environment is not best suited for everyone.

If your dog is friendly toward people & dogs, visit our DAYCARE page to fill out a request form! We would love to meet your pup and help you assess their behavior.

Mythic Bones LLC is located in the Tampa Bay Area. Here are the professionals in our area that we recommend:

Veterinarians with a Special Interest in Behavior:

Local Behavior Professionals - Training and Assessment

  • Christy Parker CPDT-KA, CSAT, AKC CGC Evaluator, Pet CPR & First Aid Certified, Aggression in Dogs Master Course Accredited

  • Alexandra Reinhart CBCC-KA, PCT-A, SDC, AKC CGC Evaluator, Director of Training - Courteous Canine, Inc.

    • Alex@CourteousCanine.com

  • Jen Johnson - The Good Steward Training Company - GoodStewardTrainingCo.com

I am not local to the Tampa Bay Area, but I need a dog trainer. What can I do?

If your pup is struggling with Separation Anxiety specifically, here is a resource to find qualified trainers in your area:

Malena Separation Anxiety Trainer Registry

Arm yourself with knowledge and begin your search for a qualified local dog trainer. Before committing to any training sessions or programs, ask plenty of questions and make sure that you feel confident in the trainer you choose. When working with an anxious dog especially, it is important that you find a trainer that will not use aversive techniques with your dog. This means no tools that harm or frighten your dog, and no harsh punishments. These dogs are already experiencing stress, and our goal is to soothe that stress rather than exacerbate it.

You will want to search for a trainer who:

  • Is committed to your dog’s welfare.

  • Trains using Positive Reinforcement and Scientifically-Proven Methods

  • Employs Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive methods (LIMA).

  • Tailors their training plan to fit the needs of you and your dog, and is willing to modify it as they gather more data.

  • Does not guarantee success especially within a particular time frame (every dog is unique - no single approach fits all dogs!).

  • Is able to explain their techniques in a way that you can understand, and is happy to tell you what they are doing with your dog and why.

You do NOT want to work with a trainer who:

  • Advocates heavily for the use of aversive tools such as prong collars, shock or vibrate collars, spray bottles or sound aversives, or the use of force such as choking, lifting your dog from the ground, ‘alpha rolling’, etc..

  • Advertises using verbiage such as “Alpha”, “Dominance”, “Command”, “Control” - Your dog needs understanding and encouragement, not someone to bully them into submission. This type of training has been proven to damage your dog’s frontal cortex over time, and subsequently their confidence and decision-making skills as well.

  • Is discouraging or dismissive of questions or concerns you may have, or unable to explain their techniques in a way that you can understand.

  • Takes your dog for an extended period of time and does not communicate with you every day regarding their wellbeing and progress.

  • Asks you to sign an NDA that prevents you from sharing your experience with the trainer or company

In closing, remember that you are not alone and many dogs struggle with symptoms of anxiety. It may seem daunting at first, but once you’ve established what works for you and your dog, you might be surprised by your own progress. Taking the time to educate yourself and assess your dog’s behavior is the first step to overcoming this struggle and beginning to thrive together.

You can do this!

Have questions, comments or concerns? Mythic Bones is here to help! Contact us at MythicBones.Training@gmail.com

Wishing you all the best on your journey with your little monster! :)