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Social anxiety not only affects humans but it also affects pets
too. The fear of meeting new companions or animals of their kind
can be a terrifying experience for some. Some of the symptoms of
social anxiety that animals show is withdrawal, loss of appetite,
desire to stay indoors all the time and restlessness in the
presence of a fellow animal. The best treatment option is a visit
to the vet or in this case having the vet visit your house.It is
not uncommon for dogs to show anxious behavior in social circles.
Social anxiety may not always happen due to fear of social
gatherings. It could even start from a clap of thunder or the
sound of the vacuum cleaner. Fear is a feeling that spreads with
time and experience and slowly it creeps into other lifestyle
factors. If you feel that your dog is suffering from social
anxiety, then here are 5 ways to reduce it.
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Avoid large crowdsDon’t bring too many people
at once when your dog is around. It goes for humans and animals
as well. Try introducing one animal at a time. If you have a
close friend who has a dog or a cat, then ask him/her to come
over frequently with his/her pet. That way you’ll be giving
ample amount of time to your dog to cope with the new company.
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Find out what keeps your dog happyIt could be
a toy or a particular game that he enjoys playing. Identify
what your dog loves doing the most and use it to help him
overcome social anxiety.
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Focus on dietIf your dog is stressed out,
he/she will show a lack of appetite. Try making the meals more
interesting and find out new recipes to ensure that your dog
does not miss out on the essential nutrients. Additionally,
take your dog to a vet for regular check-ups.
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Try short walksIt will be tough at first but
try taking your dog out for short walks. You can start with the
periphery of the house and then move on to the street once your
dog gets comfortable going out in the open. By going out, your
dog will see other animals and slowly, the social anxiety will
decrease.
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Take it easyDon’t lose your temper around your
dog. The last thing you would want is your dog to have
additional stress. Relax and take it easy. In time, things will
fall into place.
Conclusion
Social anxiety affects dogs in the same way it affects us. The
tips listed above should come in handy if your dog is facing
similar issues.
How do you take care of the other aspects of your dogs? The below
section guides you on the same.
Teaching Your Dog Basic Commands
Anyone who has visited a house with an unruly
dog knows it is not an enjoyable place to go. No one
likes being jumped on, barked at, or having their belongings
chewed on. That's why it's good to teach your dog basic
commands.
There are a few necessities when teaching your dog any command:
food or treats, patience, time, and quiet. The food is the dog's
reward, so make sure it is something your dog really enjoys. Use
patience and reward your dog for their efforts. Also, it can
makes things easier to use the same words every time you give a
command. For example, your dog could get confused if you say
"come" sometimes and then say "come here" at other times.
Teaching Your Dog to Sit
Teaching your dog to sit is one of the
easiest commands to teach. All you have to do is go to a quiet
room in your home with your dog. Make sure to bring the treats!
Let your dog smell the treat to get them interested. Then hold
the treat above their head and move it backward. Your dog will
instinctively sit so they can tilt their head back further to
look at the treat. When your dog is sitting, give them the treat
and lots of praise.
Repeat this process until you believe your dog has a good grasp
of the command. Eventually you should have your dog sit in your
yard, then on the sidewalk, then in a busy place such as a park.
If your dog sits with a lot going on around you, you'll know
they've grasped the command. After a while, you can stop giving
your dog a treat every time. After a while, praise and pets can
serve as the reward most of the time. Every dog loves a surprise
treat, though!
Teaching Your Dog to Lie Down
There are a number of reasons you should teach your dog
to lie down. It helps dogs
relax after playtime, it can make your dog less intimidating to
your friends, and your dog can lie down with you if you so
choose. This command is best taught after the sit command has
been mastered. That way you can have the dog sit and they only
have two more legs to bend to be lying down.
First, have your dog in the sit position, then bring the treat
down to the floor in front of your dog. Your dog’s head should
follow the treat to the floor and cause them to lie down. If not,
hold the treat in your fist on the floor until your dog does lay
down. Then give them the treat. When you are ready for your dog
to get up, say "ok." As always, repeat this until you are
confident in your dog’s ability to respond to the command. An
easy way to teach your dog to go lie down on their bed is to walk
it over to the bed while saying "go to bed." When your dog is
standing on the bed, tell them to lie down. Eventually you'll be
able to stop walking your dog to the bed each time.
Teaching Your Dog to Come
Teaching your dog to come is an essential
command. When you say "come," followed by your dog’s
name, your dog should stop what they're doing and come to you
the first time you say it. Always make your dog happy about
dropping what they were doing to come to you. Easy ways to do
this are to give a treat, go for a walk, or play with a toy. When
first starting this command training, it is best to be in a
fenced outdoor area. You will need a friend to help you with this
one. Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog, you should hold an
extendable leash while your friend holds the dog. Put some
distance between you and them, then turn around and say "come"
and your dog’s name in a cheery voice. When your dog comes to
you, give them a treat and a lot of praise. Remember: repeat,
repeat, repeat!
Teaching your dog basic commands should be fun for you and your
dog. Stay patient, and it can be very rewarding.
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