Gracie is a sweet, mellow dog at home, unlike your typical impression of a terrier. She rarely barks. She does not chase cats – well, only when they run from her. She learns new commands very quickly. She is content to sit in your lap.
However, loud noises such as cars, thunderstorms, motorcycles, et cetera scare her. A visit to the vet’s office, pet store, or a busy city presents her with so many stimuli that she is overwhelmed. While she now joyfully hops into the car, she curls into a ball as soon as she realizes we are not going to grandma’s house. Does any of this sound like behaviors you see in your dog?
We all recognize the laid-back ears, panting, and trembling as signs of stress and anxiety. I learned that dogs can present other signs:
• Shaking vigorously (think about after the bath)
• Refuses to eat special treat
• Does not respond to training
• Nuzzles you for comfort
Gracie exhibited all of these behaviors during our recent visit with the trainer. She explained to me that dogs use these signals to calm themselves in stressful situations.
When Gracie gets to this stage, she shuts down. The only thing you can do is remove her from the situation. This is not a solution to the problem.
The trick is to find something that lowers her anxiety. Then, you can begin to address the issue. In tomorrow’s post, we will discuss some of the various products on the market that claim to reduce your pet’s anxiety. Stay tuned!
Rescue Mommy
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