PET HEALTH CARE ARTICLES

Fear can be a normal response to a threat, but it can also be maladaptive, contributing to emotional and physical distress. Anxiety is the anticipation of fear and can contribute to chronic stress and behavioral illness. Phobias are intense fear responses to relatively benign triggers. Behavior modification and, in some cases, medications may be used to treat fear, anxiety, and phobias in dogs and cats.

A dog may develop a fear-based response toward people or other animals for a number of reasons, including inadequate socialization, emotional trauma, genetic predisposition, or an underlying medical condition. Dogs indicate fear by using postures such as stiffening, cowering, or moving away. If the trigger remains too close for comfort, a fearful dog can exhibit an aggressive response such as a growl or snap. Dogs that experience intense fear benefit from professional intervention.

Dogs may become frightened of specific locations due to a traumatic event or negative experience that occurred at the location. Comfortable exposures during a puppy's sensitive socialization period may prevent fear from developing. Treatment includes behavior modification and medication, in some cases.

Single, traumatic experiences or repeated exposure to frightening stimuli can cause reactions ranging from mild fear to extreme phobias. The onset of noise sensitivity may occur during different developmental or life stages. Medical conditions such as pain (i.e., ear infection or arthritis) have been associated with noise sensitivity in dogs. Dogs that experience extreme fear and/or phobic behaviors need professional intervention. The first step is to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

Dogs can be amazing family members and greatly enrich our lives! Adding a dog to the family is also a serious commitment, and research before choosing a dog will help set the family and the dog up for success. This handout goes over some factors to consider when selecting a dog.

Many veterinarians, including nutritionists and behaviorists, believe it is important for dogs and cats to express their natural foraging and hunting behaviors. For pets living indoors, this can be difficult, and the lack of this stimulation can sometimes lead to behavior problems. Enriching a pet's environment with food toys and puzzles at mealtimes can fulfill the need to forage. The use of toys, puzzles and other novel methods of food delivery can also be effective ways to increase daily movement in overweight or inactive pets.

Dogs dig for a variety of reasons. It may be done to accomplish a goal that, to a dog, is reasonable, but it can also be a sign of an underlying behavior disorder. This handout describes the most common causes of destructive digging and methods that can be used to manage it.

Chewing is usually a totally normal and needed behavior for puppies and adult dogs, but it can be unsafe if non-food items are chewed on or ingested. Puppies chew when they are teething and puppies and dogs can chew when playing, seeking food or attention, investigating new items, and when they are bored. Encourage your dog to chew on appropriate items. Teaching your dog to “give” is important in order to have your dog drop contraband items. If your dog shows signs of concerning chewing (persistent ingestion of non-food items, chewing to escape from the yard, chewing around doors or windows, chewing on his own body), contact your veterinarian.

What is normal and what is not? The answer is: when the behavior is harmless or just annoying, it is probably normal. When the behavior is destructive, disruptive, or places people or other pets at risk, it is not normal. Addressing the problems early, before they become ingrained, is the best hope for avoiding future problems. Dogs will be dogs, but people are still ultimately responsible for them.

Urination during greetings occurs due to emotional conflict. The behavior may reflect submissive behavior or excitement but as is largely involuntary. Punishment is contraindicated. Treatment includes teaching dogs to greet calmly and teaching people to avoid assertive gestures.