Introduction
The is known to be one of the most calm, dignified, and courageous dogs. They're considered gentle giants, measuring in at 30 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 120 pounds according to the . However, like all dogs, these canines can be prone to experiencing and , especially when they're puppies. It hurts us as to see our furry friend dealing with anxiety and to not know what to do about it. Fear no more! In this article, we're going to go through the many signs and causes of and in puppies. Then, we'll arm you with a variety of strategies to bolster the of your . Let's dive right in!
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As the of America states, the is a ; a rough-coated and shaggy-browed hound. As this was originally bred for hunting by sight and chase, most Irish Wolfhounds are exceptionally athletic and require ample exercise. That along with their large size, makes them an unfitting canine for apartment living. The ideal home for these sight hounds would have a large, fenced-in backyard that allows them to gallop around.
Despite their large frame, the is known for its gentle nature. Human companionship lies at the core of their development, but that growth is stunted when their environment and care is not nurturing.
Time further contributes to our description of this sight hound by adding that the is a " " who gets along with everyone, including "children, other dogs, and... even cats." Like many dogs, this thoroughly enjoys long walks, which are critical to maintaining their physical health. However, the is not the ideal watchdog. He does not bark as an alarm, and although he possesses a great size that could threaten any intruder, this sight hound lacks the aggressive to do so.
Now, let's jump straight into the many reasons your might be feeling and !
Fear-Related
The first and most frequent cause of stress for any is fear incited by external stimuli. The states that this is when a canine is introduced to something unfamiliar in their environment, such as "loud noises, strange people, or [even other] animals." Even specific, traumatizing situations such as the "vet's office or car rides" can provoke a young pup into feeling and . What's happening here is that your is reacting to a stimulus that he believes is somehow threatening his safety. As Tractive put it, "fear is a natural instinct that protects us" by making us aware of potential threats that come our way. PetMD expounds on this by adding that fear promotes the "response of the autonomic nervous system," preparing the body for the freeze, fight or flight syndrome. It's an intrinsic part of life that is designed to keep us safe, both in the wild and in our everyday lives. However, this fear becomes a problem in the domesticated lives of canines when it causes debilitating , even when there is no real threat present.
Signs of Fear-Related
Now that we have a basic understanding of what fear-based is, let's explore the various signs that your might be experiencing this.
Canna-Pet writes that a suffering from fear or noise-based will likely:
- Stand frozen in place
- Whine and bark
- Pace back and forth
- Pant or salivate excessively
- Tremble and shake
If you notice your displaying any of these signs, try and pay attention to what external stimulus might have caused this. Look to eliminate that stimulus to help your pup's .
The next cause of and in puppies is something that plagues all breeds, regardless of age: . A study conducted by CertaPet concluded that a whopping 76% of dogs suffer from ! So, what exactly is in dogs? Essentially, it's the rise of and in a canine when he is separated from the person that he's most attached. When experiencing , your develops a sort of co-dependence to your presence; when that presence is taken away, the is lost. They feel as though a part of themselves has left, and this quickly spirals into feelings of and . As Patricia McConnell told the American Kennel Club, we can think of as the canine "equivalent of a panic attack." Let's delve into some of the telltale signs that your is suffering from .
As You Leave
The first in your is how they react when they notice you're about to leave the house. Like many dogs, these sight hounds are that indicates smart. Their association and reasoning skills are effective, and that helps them understand when certain things are about to happen. When they smell their food, they know it's dinnertime. If they see their leash, they get ready for a walk. In the same way, when your canine hears your keys or sees you putting on your shoes, they understand that you are about to leave the house. If they're a victim of , this is when that will kick in.
As the asserts, one of these anxious behaviors is "pacing, whining, or trembling" as you prepare to leave the house. Pay attention to your . As we mentioned, your has developed an ultra-attachment to you. When you leave, it's like taking away their security blanket. As such, it's quite understandable why a canine would display these behaviors as you're leaving. 's body language as you're walking out. They may keep pawing at your legs to urge you to stay, or start pacing around the house as if they don't know where to go. Each of these behaviors is indicative of an who is likely suffering from
While You're Gone
The next warning sign that your Irish wolfhound puppy is dealing with is while you're gone. When you return home, if the furniture is chewed on, the trashcan has been emptied onto the floor, and there are socks everywhere, then it's quite possible that your furry friend is suffering from in your absence. Your strongly relies on your presence for comfort and security throughout the day, especially in their years. When you leave, though, that layer of security is gone and inevitably causes anxious and stressed feelings to build up in your pup. They don't know how to deal with this energy, so they end up throwing themselves into .
A corollary symptom of is urinating and defecating around the house. It's likely that you took your out to use the restroom before leaving them alone, yet for some reason you still return to a house full of pee and poop. Why does this occur? Let's look at it from a biological lens. When wells up in your canine, their body engages in a fight-or-flight response that produces an upsurge of adrenaline. Dr. Turnera Croom told Bustle that although the adrenaline helps your escape from their anxious mindset, it also "[relaxes] the bladder and anal sphincter muscles, allowing waste to release."
Before labeling torn up furniture and potty accidents as symptoms of , consider a few things. Is your pup fully potty-trained? Have they been thoroughly house-trained? Remember, they are just puppies. These are adult behaviors that take time to learn. One of the best ways to confirm what's really going on is to videotape your while you're out of the house.
Barking and While You're Away
The final telltale signal of in your is barking and while you're gone. According to Assisi Animal Health, among canines. If you have neighbors complaining of your barking and for hours throughout the day, it might signify a struggle with and . However, barking and are also your 's primary means of communicating with the world, so vocalization alone is not a surefire sign that your has this . As per the is one of the most common signs of , when . is accompanied by another one of the aforementioned signs, then it's likely your does have
Your howls and barks because they feel the need to express their discomfort to the world, in hopes of getting someone's attention. For many dogs, it's a compulsive reaction to howl and bark when they're feeling anxious. They desperately need someone to notice their .
Strategies to Combat and
Now that we've familiarized ourselves with the two primary causes of and in puppies, let's move on to how we can help. There are a variety of ways you can approach the challenge of with your canine. In this article, we're going to prepare you with two outdoor and two indoor methods to alleviate and in your pup. Let's get into it!
Outdoor Strategy #1: Visit the Park
The first way you can help your overcome their negative feelings is to take a trip to your local park! This is a powerful way to displace those anxious and stressful feelings with positive stimulation and engagement. As the Reed Animal Hospital put it, socialization teaches your to react to the world around them in a healthy way, "without fear or aggression." A big part of a 's development is shaping their into a well-rounded part of their personality. Without exposure to unfamiliar stimuli, your is far more prone to experiencing fear-related . By taking them to the park, letting them interact with other dogs and humans, and otherwise promoting their interaction with the outside world, you help your build a greater tolerance for unknown things that might show up in their everyday life. Then, the next time an unfamiliar external stimulus appears in their environment, they'll have developed a resistance to immediately responding with fear.
Here's how you can plan a successful trip to the park. Grab your 's leash, and collar or harness. Take along a few of their favorite toys or balls to play with at the park. While some parks offer canine-friendly water stations, yours may not. Make sure you pack some water and a bowl in the likely case that your gets thirsty. Also take some poop bags with you for when your furry friend needs to use the restroom! Check the weather and your local park hours to plan your trip on a sunny day that the park is open. Once you arrive, let your free! Make sure you're keeping an eye on them as they play with others to ensure they don't get themselves into any trouble.
Outdoor Strategy #2: Go Sunbathing With Your
The next outdoor strategy to help battle feelings of and in your is to go sunbathing with them! It's a basic fact that is biologically caused by an imbalance in chemicals in the brain. This same logic applies to your canine, too. There are either too few or too many of a certain neurotransmitter in your dog's brain that are thwarting their Cleveland Clinic . One of these neurotransmitters is called serotonin, and it is often referred to as the feel-good chemical, says the . They further state that normal serotonin levels help you "feel more focused, emotionally stable, happier and calmer," while low levels can cause depression and . When your is suffering from or , it's highly possible that it's because their serotonin levels are out of wack! That's why sunbathing is the perfect outdoor activity to alleviate this. According to Positive Boise, exposure to sun rays actually "stimulates the production of serotonin in... your furry friend!"
Here's how you can safely sunbath with your canine. Find a spot in the grass that is facing direct sunlight, and put down something comfortable for your to lay on. We recommend using a Calming Cuddle Bed! It features premium joint support, and is made from 100% pet-safe material. It's totally breathable, and offers cooling technology that regulates your pup's body heat. Our bed also absorbs weight and transfers pressure away from key areas to provide optimal support for your 's hips and ligaments. Once your pup is comfy, begin the relaxation! Try and limit your sun time to one hour, as any longer puts your 's skin at risk.
Indoor Strategy #1: Give Your a Puzzle
The first indoor activity that will help battle your issues is targeted at dealing with : giving your a puzzle! Interactive puzzles are mechanical toys that are made up of various simple mechanisms for your to engage. These include buttons, sliding panels, and other moving parts. When the canine interacts with the correct mechanism, a treat is released! This solution is both simple and effective. We know that is caused by being alone and unengaged; that's what prompts the . By offering your a positive outlet to occupy their mind, it 's transfers your 's idle attention towards something constructive instead. They are no longer plagued with thoughts of and because they have something more important to do!
For even more relaxation, fill the dog puzzle with Calming Zen Chews! They are the ideal therapeutic snack for your dog to enjoy. Zen Chews feature all-natural and pet-safe calming agents such as Chamomile, L-Theanine, and L-Tryptophan. These work in concert to lower the stress and anxiety levels in your dog and produce a calm state of mind.
Indoor Strategy #2: Take a Nap with Your Pup
The final indoor strategy that can help battle your and is taking a nap with them! As we saw with sunbathing, sometimes mental issues are caused by chemical imbalances. Thus, we should aim to use strategies that work to strengthen the chemical makeup in our 's brain! Physical touch does this well, as it causes a 's release of oxytocin in your 's body. This study confirms that oxytocin - also known as the love drug - plays a central role in regulating , mood, and . By napping with your furry friend, you promote this positive reaction to occur for an extended period of time.
Wrapping Up
Raising an into a well-matured adult can be a fun, exciting, and fulfilling experience. However, that experience is threatened when our furry friends deal with and . That's why knowing the root causes of these issues is critical; in younger dogs, it might be fear-related or . In either case, once you've identified the problem, the burden falls on you as the to take action. That's why we included a few effective strategies to help you combat and in your canine: socializing your pup, sunbathing with them, offering them a puzzles, and napping with them. Try each one and see how your responds! Every canine is different, so be patient and work with yours to overcome their stress and anxiety feelings together.