Fears, Anxiety, and Aggression in Dogs
From mild whining when left alone to full scale panic attacks, many dogs suffer from separation anxiety and other forms of stress. Some dogs react fearfully to thunderstorms or strangers, or have an aversion to people of a certain age, race, or gender. Other dogs show signs of aggression toward other dogs or even, frighteningly, toward humans.
While it's often necessary to involve a professional trainer, and always a good idea to have your veterinarian rule out physical problems, there are many techniques owners can use to address fears, anxiety, and mild or early aggression.
These behavior problems are some of the most serious that dog owners have to face, and some, especially anxiety, are growing ever more common. What do you do?
Afraid of Other Dogs Fear of other dogs is epidemic these days. People also expect their dogs to meet and greet other dogs they encounter on walks. What is this experience from a dog’s point of view? It’s often said that dogs are social animals, the idea being that they are like the type of humans who enjoy social gatherings. This is not true for all dogs. Aggression over Food, Toys, or Treats (3) Aggression toward Other Dogs (4) Aggression toward Strangers (3) Backyard Hazards If you want to consider leaving your dog outside without your supervision—even inside a fence—please research the physical hazards beforehand, along with considering the behavior risks. Many things you can do will reduce the risks, once you know them. Biting and Aggression toward Children (4) Carsick Puppies Lots of puppies get carsick in moving cars, but fewer adult dogs. We need our dogs to be able to ride comfortably in cars, and no one enjoys cleaning vomit. If you have a carsick puppy, let’s look at ways to minimize stress and mess, both now and when the pup is older. Children Need to Learn about Dogs When a parent says, "My child is good with dogs," what does that mean? Should people be pleased to observe that the family dog "will let the child do anything to her"? The huge gap between how dogs and humans perceive child behavior causes ruined dogs and injured children. Dangerous Dog Owner Behavior and What to Do About It Laws against dangerous dogs are creating big problems for responsible dog owners. At the same time, such laws do little if anything to help solve the real problems related to dogs living in human communities. Defensive Dog Behavior In many cases, a dog’s ability to tolerate things without becoming defensive can be improved. It is often possible to change a dog’s threshold of reaction by rebuilding the dog’s trust. Whatever the thing is that the dog fears, lower the level of stimulation and give the dog positive experiences of that thing. Dominance What people think is dominance in a dog is usually something else. True dominance in a dog is more often a praiseworthy trait than a problem. Which dog is dominant tends to change according to the composition of the pack or family; evidently, dominance is not the trait it has sometimes been thought to be. Fear of Fireworks Many dogs are fearful and anxious when exposed to seasonal fireworks: a dog’s response may range from a momentary freeze and orientation to the sound and then recovery, to extreme panic characterized by bolting or escape attempts. Fear of Thunderstorms and Fireworks (1) Fear: How to Help Your Dog Overcome It Dogs can develop fear of any person, place or thing. Considering that the same thing happens in humans, this isn't surprising. Once a dog has begun to react with fear, correcting the original trigger of the behavior is not always enough to change the dog's habit of reacting that way. The earlier you intervene, the better your chances of relieving the fear. Fearfulness and Timidity in Dogs (1) Fears, Anxieties and Phobias It is natural to avoid situations that may be dangerous. Fears may range from a normal startle response to a sudden noise to an extreme phobia that interferes with a pet’s ability to function normally. Feed your Feline Nearly everything about your cat's anatomy suggests her genetic heritage to hunt, and hunt well. Her feet are designed for silent stalking; her claws can hook anything and won't let go; her teeth are long, pointed and razor-sharp. So what do you feed a creature who is so obviously designed to fend for herself? General Aggression (2) Grieving: When a Dog Mourns the Loss of a Human What does a dog experience at the loss of a beloved human? Certainly the dog shares the frequent human dilemma at such a loss, that of fear at how life will change without that person. The dog is unlikely to know the person is not coming back but may fear that, especially if the dog has lost a previous home. Growling Dogs What does it mean when a dog growls? What do you do when it happens? Kitchen Floors and Other Smooth Walking Surfaces When a dog looks at the smooth floor and stops short--unwilling to walk there--obviously the dog has learned a fear. If your dog’s first experiences with smooth floors are scary or painful, it may be difficult indeed to change the dog’s mind about these surfaces. By acting quickly, though, you may be successful. Nighttime Waking in Senior Dogs Disturbances of the sleep-wake cycle occur in older pets and often disrupt the entire family. Interrupted sleep is a common problem in older pets and may occur for many reasons, including both medical and anxiety-related causes. Nighttime waking may be caused by medical or behavioral changes common in senior dogs. Obsessive Behavior Do dogs get obsessive-compulsive disorder? We see cases of a dog repeating a behavior over and over, though, with resulting harm either to the dog or to others. We’ll call it “obsessive behavior” here, with the understanding that other terms might also apply. Perhaps the dog becomes addicted to the behavior because of stimulating or soothing chemicals it releases in the body. Old Dogs and Their People Can Learn New Tricks Old age brings physical changes that can require new skills in order to keep functioning as well as possible. The more you and your dog have learned together in younger days, the easier it is to keep learning throughout life. It’s never too late, though, to create better learning that will improve the quality of life. Pain and Its Effect on Your Dog’s Behavior Often a dog doesn’t even reveal that anything hurts. A change in behavior that may seem completely unrelated to pain is sometimes the only indication a dog gives. Puppy Aggression What behavior from a puppy constitutes aggression? Broken skin on a human is one cause for concern. If your puppy breaks the skin on a human—whether someone in the family or not, whether in play or not—be sure to get started promptly with a veterinary behavior specialist or other expert who can assess the situation. Resource Guarding Resource guarding is normal dog behavior. Like many other dog behaviors, it’s dangerous when it goes too far. Also like some other behaviors, it is an instinct best kept dormant and never triggered in the first place. Roaming Dogs What happens when a dog roams? A dog running loose will eventually run into trouble, often to the owner’s surprise. Roughhousing with Dogs What effect does human roughhousing have on the future behavior of a dog? When is roughhousing a positive thing, and when is it not? What do you want for your own dog? Self Mutilation: Dogs Who Chew, Lick or Scratch Themselves to the Point of Harm Dogs don’t understand why they shouldn’t pick at themselves when they itch or hurt. As a result, many dogs will do damage to themselves. All degrees of damage from self-mutilation in dogs are common. Separation Anxiety (1) Separation Anxiety One out of every six dogs may suffer from canine separation anxiety. It may persist lifelong but may be successfully managed or minimized with appropriate behavior modification therapy. Socializing Dogs to Things Umbrellas, big trucks, kitchen appliances, and reclining chairs are a few of some dogs’ least favorite things. When a dog’s aversion to something creates a problem, such as your getting wet while trying to walk with an umbrella, you see the reason for socializing young dogs to things. Thunderstorms Fear of thunderstorms is common in dogs, and tends to get worse as they age. It is partly genetic. While some aspects of this problem remain a mystery, we know a lot that can make life easier for thunderstorm-phobic dogs and their families. Best of all, you may be able to help your dog avoid developing this fear in the first place. Timid Dogs - the Best Approach Timid or shy dogs can become sweet and loving companions. On the other hand, some will be unsuited to life in busy households or with small children, and some may find dog sports too stressful. Sometimes the fearfulness you see in a puppy can turn into aggression as the dog matures.
From mild whining when left alone to full scale panic attacks, many dogs suffer from separation anxiety and other forms of stress. Some dogs react fearfully to thunderstorms or strangers, or have an aversion to people of a certain age, race, or gender. Other dogs show signs of aggression toward other dogs or even, frighteningly, toward humans.
While it's often necessary to involve a professional trainer, and always a good idea to have your veterinarian rule out physical problems, there are many techniques owners can use to address fears, anxiety, and mild or early aggression.
These behavior problems are some of the most serious that dog owners have to face, and some, especially anxiety, are growing ever more common. What do you do?
Afraid of Other Dogs Fear of other dogs is epidemic these days. People also expect their dogs to meet and greet other dogs they encounter on walks. What is this experience from a dog’s point of view? It’s often said that dogs are social animals, the idea being that they are like the type of humans who enjoy social gatherings. This is not true for all dogs. Aggression over Food, Toys, or Treats (3) Aggression toward Other Dogs (4) Aggression toward Strangers (3) Backyard Hazards If you want to consider leaving your dog outside without your supervision—even inside a fence—please research the physical hazards beforehand, along with considering the behavior risks. Many things you can do will reduce the risks, once you know them. Biting and Aggression toward Children (4) Carsick Puppies Lots of puppies get carsick in moving cars, but fewer adult dogs. We need our dogs to be able to ride comfortably in cars, and no one enjoys cleaning vomit. If you have a carsick puppy, let’s look at ways to minimize stress and mess, both now and when the pup is older. Children Need to Learn about Dogs When a parent says, "My child is good with dogs," what does that mean? Should people be pleased to observe that the family dog "will let the child do anything to her"? The huge gap between how dogs and humans perceive child behavior causes ruined dogs and injured children. Dangerous Dog Owner Behavior and What to Do About It Laws against dangerous dogs are creating big problems for responsible dog owners. At the same time, such laws do little if anything to help solve the real problems related to dogs living in human communities. Defensive Dog Behavior In many cases, a dog’s ability to tolerate things without becoming defensive can be improved. It is often possible to change a dog’s threshold of reaction by rebuilding the dog’s trust. Whatever the thing is that the dog fears, lower the level of stimulation and give the dog positive experiences of that thing. Dominance What people think is dominance in a dog is usually something else. True dominance in a dog is more often a praiseworthy trait than a problem. Which dog is dominant tends to change according to the composition of the pack or family; evidently, dominance is not the trait it has sometimes been thought to be. Fear of Fireworks Many dogs are fearful and anxious when exposed to seasonal fireworks: a dog’s response may range from a momentary freeze and orientation to the sound and then recovery, to extreme panic characterized by bolting or escape attempts. Fear of Thunderstorms and Fireworks (1) Fear: How to Help Your Dog Overcome It Dogs can develop fear of any person, place or thing. Considering that the same thing happens in humans, this isn't surprising. Once a dog has begun to react with fear, correcting the original trigger of the behavior is not always enough to change the dog's habit of reacting that way. The earlier you intervene, the better your chances of relieving the fear. Fearfulness and Timidity in Dogs (1) Fears, Anxieties and Phobias It is natural to avoid situations that may be dangerous. Fears may range from a normal startle response to a sudden noise to an extreme phobia that interferes with a pet’s ability to function normally. Feed your Feline Nearly everything about your cat's anatomy suggests her genetic heritage to hunt, and hunt well. Her feet are designed for silent stalking; her claws can hook anything and won't let go; her teeth are long, pointed and razor-sharp. So what do you feed a creature who is so obviously designed to fend for herself? General Aggression (2) Grieving: When a Dog Mourns the Loss of a Human What does a dog experience at the loss of a beloved human? Certainly the dog shares the frequent human dilemma at such a loss, that of fear at how life will change without that person. The dog is unlikely to know the person is not coming back but may fear that, especially if the dog has lost a previous home. Growling Dogs What does it mean when a dog growls? What do you do when it happens? Kitchen Floors and Other Smooth Walking Surfaces When a dog looks at the smooth floor and stops short--unwilling to walk there--obviously the dog has learned a fear. If your dog’s first experiences with smooth floors are scary or painful, it may be difficult indeed to change the dog’s mind about these surfaces. By acting quickly, though, you may be successful. Nighttime Waking in Senior Dogs Disturbances of the sleep-wake cycle occur in older pets and often disrupt the entire family. Interrupted sleep is a common problem in older pets and may occur for many reasons, including both medical and anxiety-related causes. Nighttime waking may be caused by medical or behavioral changes common in senior dogs. Obsessive Behavior Do dogs get obsessive-compulsive disorder? We see cases of a dog repeating a behavior over and over, though, with resulting harm either to the dog or to others. We’ll call it “obsessive behavior” here, with the understanding that other terms might also apply. Perhaps the dog becomes addicted to the behavior because of stimulating or soothing chemicals it releases in the body. Old Dogs and Their People Can Learn New Tricks Old age brings physical changes that can require new skills in order to keep functioning as well as possible. The more you and your dog have learned together in younger days, the easier it is to keep learning throughout life. It’s never too late, though, to create better learning that will improve the quality of life. Pain and Its Effect on Your Dog’s Behavior Often a dog doesn’t even reveal that anything hurts. A change in behavior that may seem completely unrelated to pain is sometimes the only indication a dog gives. Puppy Aggression What behavior from a puppy constitutes aggression? Broken skin on a human is one cause for concern. If your puppy breaks the skin on a human—whether someone in the family or not, whether in play or not—be sure to get started promptly with a veterinary behavior specialist or other expert who can assess the situation. Resource Guarding Resource guarding is normal dog behavior. Like many other dog behaviors, it’s dangerous when it goes too far. Also like some other behaviors, it is an instinct best kept dormant and never triggered in the first place. Roaming Dogs What happens when a dog roams? A dog running loose will eventually run into trouble, often to the owner’s surprise. Roughhousing with Dogs What effect does human roughhousing have on the future behavior of a dog? When is roughhousing a positive thing, and when is it not? What do you want for your own dog? Self Mutilation: Dogs Who Chew, Lick or Scratch Themselves to the Point of Harm Dogs don’t understand why they shouldn’t pick at themselves when they itch or hurt. As a result, many dogs will do damage to themselves. All degrees of damage from self-mutilation in dogs are common. Separation Anxiety (1) Separation Anxiety One out of every six dogs may suffer from canine separation anxiety. It may persist lifelong but may be successfully managed or minimized with appropriate behavior modification therapy. Socializing Dogs to Things Umbrellas, big trucks, kitchen appliances, and reclining chairs are a few of some dogs’ least favorite things. When a dog’s aversion to something creates a problem, such as your getting wet while trying to walk with an umbrella, you see the reason for socializing young dogs to things. Thunderstorms Fear of thunderstorms is common in dogs, and tends to get worse as they age. It is partly genetic. While some aspects of this problem remain a mystery, we know a lot that can make life easier for thunderstorm-phobic dogs and their families. Best of all, you may be able to help your dog avoid developing this fear in the first place. Timid Dogs - the Best Approach Timid or shy dogs can become sweet and loving companions. On the other hand, some will be unsuited to life in busy households or with small children, and some may find dog sports too stressful. Sometimes the fearfulness you see in a puppy can turn into aggression as the dog matures.