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Nervous dog: symptoms, causes and remedies

Nervousness in dogs can be influenced by several causes, such as genetics, stress, fearfulness or lack of exercise.

Every dog ​​is unique and shows his personality in his own way, so you should know that if you live with a nervous dogThere is no magic formula that will solve this problem, but you can learn to manage it and enjoy your pet to the fullest.

Why is a dog nervous? The causes

This is the first question many dog ​​owners ask themselves. It’s true that a nervous dog can be greatly influenced by its breed and genetics. There are very active and energetic dog breeds that tend to be restless and aggressive, and it’s very difficult to get them to relax if we don’t have the right tools.

In addition to the genetic factor, many other conditions favor the development of a nervous dog. Often, a nervous dog is a stressed dog, feeling frustrated because he has built up a lot of energy that he needs to release somehow.

The problem comes when they turn all of this energy into fear, anxiety and/or aggression, resulting in behavioral problems that likely require the professional attention of an ethologist or canine educator.

You should review your daily routine and evaluate if your four-legged friend spends too much time alone at home, his walks are short, he has a phobia/fear, etc.

It is important to focus on resolving the nervousness in your dog as this prolonged situation in the animal can trigger health problems secondary to the increase of stress hormones (cortisol) in the bloodstream.

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Nervous dog: symptoms

As we have mentioned, some specimens are more active and energetic than others (depending on genetic and environmental factors), and this is not a problem if the owners know how to manage and share this level of activity. The problem arises when this intensity is not controlled and results in a dog suffering from anxiety and being stressed.

How does a nervous dog show itself? ©simonocampo999 / Pixabay

Here are the symptoms of a nervous dog:

  • Obsessive behavior: the dog may scratch continuously, compulsively sniff or lick the ground, bark and whine frequently, etc.
  • Some nervous dogs shake, and in this case it’s usually out of fear. They may also repeatedly drool and lick their lips and nose.
  • A nervous dog, faced with a stimulus that causes fear, will try to flee and get away from that situation.
  • We can also find two opposite cases: restless dogs that don’t stop, go from one place to another and are even destructive with furniture, objects, etc. Or, conversely, dogs that stand still like statues when they get nervous, trying to look the other way while avoiding the stressful situation, also preparing to react aggressively if we invade their space.
  • Dogs that shed a lot can indicate that they are stressed. This is common when they go to the vet.
  • Very fast metabolism. They are animals that have rapid breathing and heart rate, high body temperature, and are usually thin.
  • Finally, dogs that cry when left alone turn that nervousness into separation anxiety. They are very dependent animals on their owners who don’t know what to do when there are no humans around.
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What to do with a nervous dog? The remedies

Below you will find the actions to take to remedy your dog’s nervousness and learn to control it.

Take daily walks adapted to his energy level

Young or very active dogs need to release energy and for this the best thing is physical exercise. There are a number of signs that your faithful friend needs to get more exercise that will help you recognize if the walking routine he is receiving is insufficient or not.

A good walk will keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated, as well as strengthen the bond between the two of you by spending more time together.

A dog that has been walked enough will be much calmer in the house and will be more receptive, meaning it will be easier to train him to be more obedient.

Reflect on your state of mind

Many times we come home stressed from work, angry and unstable. Our dog is able to perceive all this energy so that we can be the source of his imbalance.

Try to calm down, as he will reflect what he perceives, and if the atmosphere is calm, it will be easier for him to be calm.

Avoid playing vigorously at home

It’s not about ignoring your dog at home and not playing with him, it’s about leaving highly stimulating games for when you’re out.

For example, if he gets very excited when you throw the ball at him, only do it when you go to the park or the beach, and try to put it out of his reach when you’re home.

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Keep him mentally busy

It’s not just physical exercise that counts, mental exercise can be your best ally. To do this, you can use toys at home that keep him entertained for a long time (like the famous Kong), another idea is to spread some croquettes around and he has to smell them to find them. There are several hilarious anti-boredom games for dogs that you can employ!

On the street, if your pet is sociable, the best way to stimulate him is to interact with other dogs. It’s about avoiding boredom and, therefore, frustration.

Go to the vet

Your dog may be very nervous because he has some ailment. Go to the vet to examine your furbaby and advise you on this problem.

We hope that this article can help you deal with a nervous dog, although we want to emphasize that the best option is to contact a professional in canine ethology or education to determine the source of the nervousness and establish the correct tools in the case of your four-legged friend.

Article written for todocat.es from the Miss Paola Rodriguezspecialized in traditional Chinese medicine and natural therapies, with a focus on rehabilitation, physiotherapy and sports medicine for animals.