The breed of dog that you adopt and welcome into your home can make an impact on your dog-owning experience. Some breeds are a better fit for apartments, and others do better with small children or other dogs in their homes. All of this should be taken into consideration when choosing the perfect dog to add to your family.
When it comes to the Goldador mixed-breed dog, many homes will be the perfect fit for one of these dogs. They are easy-going, intelligent, loyal, and extremely friendly. Goldadors love to spend time with their human family members and engage in a variety of different activities. While the Goldador breed is considered a healthy dog, it can be prone to various health conditions. Physical and mental health are important components of providing your Goldador puppy or adult with the best life that you can.
Many Goldadors can be prone to anxiety, which can greatly impact their health and happiness. Anxiety looks different in each dog and can be caused by a variety of different things. Finding the best way to help your Goldador overcome anxiety can take some trial and error, but with commitment and patience, you're sure to help your Goldador live a life of minimal anxiety. So, is your Goldador anxious? We'll take a look at how to spot canine anxiety and what to do about it.
Goldador Breed 101
A cross between the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever, the Goldador breed has the best of both worlds when it comes to personality traits. The Goldador breed is known for being an excellent house dog, and they are great with small children and other dogs. They're so gentle and friendly that they are commonly used as service, guide, and bomb detection dogs. Their high intelligence level and easy-going temperament allow them to perform some very important working duties.
One important thing to note about this breed is that they're highly energetic and need a lot of daily exercise. When owning a Goldador, be prepared to spend a good amount of time keeping them active and engaging in various activities with them each day. The Goldador is a relatively large dog breed, typically weighing around sixty to eighty pounds and standing between 22 and 24 inches tall. Their large size and high energy level mean they aren't the ideal candidate for apartment living.
Goldadors are known to be relatively healthy and have a life expectancy of ten to fifteen years. As with any breed, they can be prone to various health conditions. Hip dysplasia and diabetes can be common physical health issues for the Goldador breed to develop. When it comes to psychological health, some Goldadors may experience anxiety. We'll take a look at common Goldador anxious behavior and what to do so that you can help your dog easily overcome their anxiety.
Canine Anxiety Basics
Canine anxiety can affect all dog breeds, including a Goldador. No dog owner wants their dog to suffer from any health conditions, which is why keeping an eye out for canine anxiety is so important. To successfully address this condition, you must first know the signs and symptoms to look out for.
Canine Anxiety Symptoms
Canine anxiety can look different in any dog, but there are some common ones to keep an eye out for. One of the most common canine anxiety symptoms is changes in body language. An anxious dog may cower away or hide behind a person or object. In addition, their ears may be facing backward or down. They may even begin to shake or tremble when anxiety is severe.
Many anxious dogs will begin to vocalize. Whining, howling, and barking is common for a dog who's feeling anxious. Some anxious dogs may begin to yawn, pant, or drool excessively. If your dog is whining and doesn't need to be let out to go potty, this may be a sign that they're experiencing anxiety. A dog who is feeling anxious may begin to drool despite no food being around.
Many anxious Goldadors may become restless and begin to pace. If you notice your Golden Lab doing laps around your backyard or coffee table, this may be an indicator that they're feeling anxious. On the other hand, some anxious dogs may become lethargic and show a lack of energy. In extreme cases, an anxious dog may show regressions in potty training and begin having accidents inside, or they may refuse to eat and show a decrease in appetite. If you notice any of these anxiety symptoms in your Goldador, be sure to consult with your vet.
Causes of Anxiety
What causes a dog to experience anxiety can vary greatly. Some dogs are triggered by certain things, while others may not be bothered by the same triggers. Figuring out what causes your Goldador to become anxious can take a while and some serious paying attention. Once you narrow down some potential anxiety triggers for your dog, treating this condition and helping your dog overcome it will be much easier.
For dogs of all breeds, there are some very common causes of anxiety to consider. Going to new places and meeting new people or dogs is one of them. Loud noises, such as fireworks or construction, can also be stressful for all dogs and may lead to anxiety. For rescue dogs, coming to a new home and meeting new family members may be a cause of anxiety.
For the Goldador breed, certain breed traits make certain anxiety triggers more common. Goldadors are very active and energetic dogs, which is why a lack of exercise can be a cause of anxiety. They are also very intelligent, making them the perfect working dogs- and also prone to anxiety that's caused by a lack of mental stimulation and boredom. Finally, Goldadors are extremely affectionate and form strong bonds with their owners. Because of this, they can be prone to developing separation anxiety and may become extra anxious when left alone.
Once you notice symptoms of anxiety and what may be causing them, you can start to try and help your dog overcome their anxiety. We'll take a look at some of the best ways to help your dog combat anxiety at home.
Overcoming Anxiety
While anxiety may seem like a scary thing for your Golador to deal with, there are many ways to prevent and combat this condition at home. Some remedies may work better for some dogs than others, so be sure to give them all a try.
Providing A Calming Space
Dogs like to have a sense of security no matter where they are. Without this, they may feel at risk of being exposed to predators and potential threats. To avoid the anxiety that this can cause, it's important to provide your dog with a safe and calming space to relax. Some owners may choose to crate train their dogs to help with anxiety, and others may dedicate a different space to them.
Crate training has an abundance of benefits when it comes to canine anxiety. It provides your dog with a safe place to retreat to when they're feeling overwhelmed or stressed and keeps them from participating in destructive anxious behaviors when you're away, such as digging or chewing. Knowing they have a secure, relaxing environment to retreat to can make all the difference. To make your Goldador's crate even more anxiety preventative, consider using a calming dog bed inside of their crate. A calming dog bed can provide your dog with a relaxing, soft place to rest when you're away.
Even if you choose not to crate train your Goldador, you can still utilize a calming dog bed in your home. Place your calming dog bed in a low-traffic area of your home for your dog to rest and relax when needed. Having this safe space is sure to minimize your Goldador's anxious behavior.
Puzzle Toys
Mental stimulation is extremely important for the Goldador breed. Given their high intelligence and energy levels, a lack of mental stimulation can easily lead to heightened anxiety. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to keep your Goldador mentally stimulated. One of the best ways to do so is through puzzle toys. Like other dog toys, puzzle toys keep your Goldador busy and give them something to play with and chew on- though they take this a step further.
Puzzle toys can easily be stuffed with treats and food for your dog to work towards. They will have to find different strategies to try and reach the food inside. They will be putting their brains to work during the process and preventing various psychological conditions, such as anxiety, canine dementia, and more. If you are getting ready to head out for the day or know another potential anxiety trigger may arise for your Goldador, such as loud noises or traveling, consider giving them a puzzle toy to keep them calm and relaxed.
Dog Training
In addition to puzzle toys, dog training can be another great way for you to keep your Goldador mentally stimulated. Dog training gives your pup a job to do and helps them get out some energy. Without this healthy outlet for excess energy, they may be more susceptible to feeling stressed. To avoid this consider dedicating ten minutes of your day to dog training. Both agility training and obedience training can be used for anxiety prevention.
Obedience training gives your dog the task of following various commands. In doing so, they can use their brain to find the best way to understand what you want from them and perform accordingly. Obedience training can also strengthen your bond with your Goldador and help them behave better at home and in public. The next time you are out and about or at home with your dog, consider bringing some treats with you to practice obedience training commands together.
Agility training offers the same mental stimulation as obedience training does and some added exercise. During agility training, your Goldador will learn how to navigate different obstacles throughout the course. To add some extra anxiety prevention to your dog training, consider using calming dog treats to reward your dog. These dog treats have soothing ingredients that will help prevent anxiety even when dog training has been completed for the day.
Exercise
As stated earlier, Goldadors are very active dogs. This is why they perform so well with various jobs and work tasks to do. If your Goldador doesn't regularly stay busy and active, they may become anxious. To avoid this, it's essential to ensure that your dog is getting the recommended amount of exercise every day. Doing so can help prevent anxiety and other conditions, such as obesity.
There are many ways to exercise your Goldador, and some dogs and owners may prefer different exercise activities over others. Some dogs may love to play fetch every day, while others may prefer to go swimming or for a run. Be sure to give various exercises a try to see what works best for you and your dog. When exercising a Goldador, always ensure that they have access to water to prevent dehydration. Consider using a calming dog water bowl to keep your dog healthy both mentally and physically.
Calming Dog Treats
One of the best ways to prevent canine anxiety is with diet. Many known ingredients combat anxiety and help soothe your pup throughout the day. These ingredients are safe for your dog to consume and can be given as needed or daily. How many treats your dog can eat depends on their size, so be sure to check with a vet before feeding your Goldador any calming dog treats.
When purchasing calming dog treats, you must buy them from a trustworthy and reliable company. Only safe ingredients should be used in calming dog treats. Some Goldadors with food allergies or other underlying conditions may not be able to eat calming dog treats, so always check with your vet before starting any new treats or other dietary changes. With time, you're sure to find a calming dog treat that your Goldador loves and that helps minimize their anxiety.
Scent Games
Aside from puzzle toys, scent games are a great way to keep your Goldador mentally stimulated and limit their anxiety. Scent games can be done both indoors and outdoors, and they can keep your dog entertained for quite a while. To do a scent game, simply hide treats around your home or yard. They can be in simple places, such as beneath tall tables or chairs, or more difficult locations, such as beneath an upside box or bowl. Once all of your treats have been hidden, allow your dog to follow the scent of the food. They will be sniffing all over the area to find as many hidden treats as possible. In the process, they will be using their brain to solve the game and find all of the treats, which will keep them busy and exert their energy, preventing anxiety. Consider using calming dog treats during your scent games for added relaxation and anxiety prevention.
Socialization
One of the best ways to keep your busy Goldador from becoming anxious is by keeping them social and busy. In order to do so, it's important to take your dog on outings and let them meet new people and dogs. Socializing allows them to overcome anxiety triggers in a safe way by realizing that what may seem like a potential threat is actually harmless. They are able to explore new things and places by your side, which can make them less sensitive to sights, sounds, and more. To socialize your Goldador, consider taking them to the pet store, dog park, or dog beach. In these environments, they will be able to meet new dogs and people and overcome fears in a safe and gradual way. Additionally, they'll also be able to get out some energy and be mentally stimulated by all of these interactions and exploration. Be sure to wait until your Goldador puppy is fully vaccinated to take them around other dogs or where other dogs frequent in order to avoid potential illnesses, such as parvo.
Wrapping Up
Keeping your Goldador healthy is the goal of every dog owner. There's nothing better than seeing your happy and healthy dog run around and enjoy their life by your side. To accomplish this, it's important to minimize your dog's anxiety as much as possible. Anxiety can look different in every dog, but there are some common symptoms to look out for, including shaking, pacing, lethargy, and more. Be sure to keep an eye out in case any of these symptoms do develop.
If you notice any symptoms of anxiety in your Goldador, try to narrow down some potential triggers. Once you've done this, you can start to explore remedies that prevent and combat anxiety. Mental stimulation, exercise, socialization, and more can all be used to prevent canine anxiety in the Goldador breed. With your help, your Goldador can live a happy and healthy life with minimal anxiety.