In May, Jenn was interviewed by journalist Jodi Helmer on the training side of reducing anxiety in dogs. While most of the article focused on products that can be used to reduce anxiety, we wanted to share our full response to help pet owners maximize the benefit of these products, and understand the science behind it.
Jodi: Is it possible to use training to help your dog deal with anxiety? If so, please explain.
Jenn: Great question! Not only is it possible, it’s almost always necessary to use training to help your dog deal with anxiety. Most of the anti-anxiety products and medications available will reduce but not eliminate the dog’s anxiety about whatever their stressors are. Ideally, these will reduce the dog’s stress so that there is a level of exposure (i.e. distance from a stranger they’re nervous about) that they can experience without panic. It’s in this window that we can build positive associations with the previously scary thing, and over many exposures from what the dog deems a safe distance can turn that negative association and fear into a positive association (or at least a neutral one).
Jodi: What do you recommend (training-wise) for dogs dealing with anxiety?
Jenn: As humans we tend to think of approaches that rush the dog into experiencing the stressor at a level beyond what the dog is comfortable with to try to show them that it’s okay, but this usually backfires. Dogs do much better when they get to scope things out from what feels to them like a safe distance, with no pressure to interact with the stressor. For noise-related stressors, we have to adapt the process a bit, but the same general principle applies. It’s also important to be consistent — if your dog is having a mix of overwhelming exposures and appropriately distanced exposures, you’re not going to make the progress you’re looking to make.
Jodi: Are there mistakes that owners make that reinforce anxious behavior?
Jenn: The idea that you can reinforce anxious behavior is a common concern but it doesn’t happen the way that most people are concerned about. If you are calm and comfort your dog when they’re stressed (or if possible, remove them from the stressful situation to a version they can feel much safer in) you’re not going to make them more stressed. If you appear stressed yourself (i.e. repeating “it’s okay” or similar in a fast, frantic-sounding manner) then yes your dog is going to possibly feed off of that stress, because to them you are anxious also.
https://fearfreepets.com is also a really great resource for pet owners looking to learn more about helping their pet be less stressed. There are also trainers, groomers, and veterinary clinics across the country that are specially educated in reducing stress for pets and are happy to help families find the best options for their situation.
