Wondering how to know if your dog is stressed?
Well, learn what a relaxed pup looks like, to begin with. This way, you can correctly read your dog’s emotions, monitor its behaviors, and know when it returns to a normal state of mind.
A relaxed fur baby usually has an open mouth with no wrinkles on the face and may happily pant. It is a bit challenging to read what a puppy’s ears might be telling because they come in various shapes and sizes. However, it is often observed that a composed puppy’s ears will be slightly back or out to the sides. The puppy might hold its tail out in a neutral or low position with a tensionless wag. Its body is mostly loose and wiggly while playing games.
When anxious, it can display behaviors like growling, not responding to your or others’ calls, and hiding. Consider meeting your vet if you notice your puppy behaving strangely. You never know if your doggo is temporarily anxious or suffering from a chronic health issue unless your vet confirms it. Providing medical help can be easy with cheap dog insurance. It can assure basic health care during needy times of health, at affordable costs.
So, consider purchasing pet insuranceif you haven’t bought a policy already. Meanwhile, read this article to learn some tips on alleviating your puppy’s stress to ensure peace at home.
1.Desensitization
Expose your dog in a controlled manner to the thing that is causing it stress until it overcomes the fear of it and no longer negatively reacts to the stressor. It is worth noting that continually introducing triggers can sometimes increase fearful responses from your pup, so work on new strategies to help it respond to stress in better ways. For instance, diversion tactics, offering rewards, or taking your pup to a whole new environment until the stress abates can be effective in treating its anxiousness.
2.Command training
Coaching your puppy how to respond begins with teaching control strategies, where your furry pet must learn to respond in an expected manner to specific instructions and earn rewards. This way, your dog’s response is more predictable, and both of you can communicate effectively. For instance, begin with calming tasks like asking your puppy to sit down or lie down, then move on to focus (on a distraction) and escape (to a safe zone) responses to help set the right expectations.
3.Positive reinforcement
A combination of love, care, attention, food, treats, fun games, outdoor activities, and praise helps establish a new response to a stressor. Design an efficient reward program for your puppy that you can take help of when it appears anxious. Remember that a reward must be earned and not given away randomly. The training must be slow and steady and conducted in a safe and stable environment devoid of distractions.
Physically punishing and scolding your pupper can only increase anxiety levels, so you must not take that path. When the above things don’t seem to work, meet your vet for medical advice. The vet might suggest anxiety medications or behavioral therapy, or both depending on the magnitude of the issue.
Pet insurance covers your canine fur baby’s testing, treatment, and medications during non-routine vet visits and medical emergencies that involve their physical health. Consider buying cheap dog insurance so that providing quality medical care needn’t be financially burdening during distressing health scenarios.