Dealing with anxiety is never easy but as a new puppy parent, it can be even more of a challenge working out how best to support an anxious pup.
Following the spike of puppies bought over the pandemic, many new dog owners are beginning to see new ‘bad’ behaviors which are often a result of general anxiety or separation anxiety now they return to regular working routines.
Not only are these pandemic puppies experiencing being left at home for the first time, but many of them will also now be going through ‘Doggolescence’ - resulting in changes in behaviors and moods.
New research from puppy training app Zigzag has found that almost 20% of UK dog owners would consider giving up their teenage pup for displaying behavior mistakenly considered ‘problematic’.
In reality, these behaviors are completely normal and a healthy sign your dog is maturing into adulthood. From barking to forgetting commands and even toilet mishaps - these could all be signs your dog is either anxious or developing into a teenager.
To help you navigate your pup’s anxious behavior, Lorna Winter, co-founder and head of training at Zigzag and a Director of the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter, has shared the biggest signs you should look out for in a nervous puppy:
Barking, lots of it…
Your puppy will often find ways to try and communicate with you; even if we as owners don’t understand why. Barking, whining, or howling could be their way of telling you ‘Hey, I'm anxious!’
Does your puppy bark a lot when you leave the house? Or whine even if you leave the room? These are all signs that your puppy could have separation anxiety, a catch-all term used to describe when a dog finds it challenging to be alone.
This anxiety often comes out when they are alone and fearful that they have been abandoned.
To help with this I would recommend:
Start slowly by going up to your front door several times randomly throughout the day for a couple of days - this will help your pup stop thinking about it so much
For the next 3 days just open and close the door - no biggie, nothing to see here
Then step out, just for a few seconds, and leave the door on the latch - you don’t want your pup to make any associations just yet
Then start upping the time
Top tip: make your exits and entrances as fuss-free as possible - help your puppy understand that this is a part of the daily norm and build up slowly!
Diggy-doggy
For lots of pups, digging serves as a form of displacement behavior, essentially providing them with a sense of comfort if they are feeling anxious in a certain situation.
If this resonates with your furry friend, consider taking the first step by eliminating any potential stressors that might be triggering their desire to dig. They may be signaling their discomfort and expressing a desire for a change of scene.
It’s also worth noting that different dog breeds are also more prone to dig when anxious or excited, for example, Dachshunds, Beagles, and most herding and working breeds also love to dig.
Once you’ve worked out if your dog is happy or indeed, digging because they are anxious.
I’d recommend:
Filling a kid's sandpit with dirt or dog-safe sand and hiding toys in there to encourage digging. Channel their anxiousness into play!
You can also try cutting down the sides on a large cardboard box and filling it with rolled-up packing material, then scatter some treats to encourage them to dig and find them. Voilà you’ve made a foraging box or indoor digging pit.
Dogs also love the beach too - find a dog-friendly beach near you and they’ll have a blast digging through the sand or pebbles!
Additionally, make sure there are plenty of blankets in their bed that they can dig and make a nest to snuggle down into when they need to.
It’s also useful to teach your dog a ‘leave it’ cue so that you can ask them to stop digging at things.
The Sofa Sabotager
Is your furry friend showing destructive behaviors each time you step out of the house? Chewing on sofas, shoes, doors, and essentially anything within their reach usually boils down to either anxiety or boredom.
This habit of chewing stems from a reliable self-soothing instinct that makes them feel good, as chewing triggers the release of endorphins such as dopamine and serotonin in their brains.
While you’re preparing to leave, consider offering your pup a safe chew toy - something they can get their teeth into and relieve some of the stress and anxiety they might be feeling.
Like stress balls for humans - these toys are great for diminishing pent-up anxious energy and will hopefully stop the sofa destruction!
Some of our favorite chew toys, which are safe to leave your puppy with are:
KONG - Floppy Knots Fox: The realistic feel of the internal knotted rope satisfies instincts while the varied textures and squeakers gear up for play.
Canophera RED Deer Antlers Dog CHEW: A products that meet their natural desire to chew, and that brings calm and pleasure into their everyday lives.
It's always a good idea to keep an eye on your dog via camera when you're not at home. Do they appear distressed during their destructive escapades, or do you notice other signs of anxiety?
In such cases, delving into a separation anxiety protocol can be beneficial to ease their distress when you're away.
However, if it seems like they're having a party of their own while you're absent, then increasing their daily mental and physical stimulation is a wise move!
A bathroom bother: using the toilet…indoors
Puppies, particularly when very young, possess small bladders and limited control, leading to spontaneous bathroom breaks. Remember that toilet training is a skill that improves with time, so maintaining patience is crucial.
However, if your pup consistently uses the indoor facilities when you're not around or during the night, they're likely dealing with separation anxiety.
Puppies thrive on routines, finding comfort in the predictability of playtime, walks, and mealtimes. Establishing a schedule can work wonders for both puppy separation anxiety and toilet training. You can explore my recommended puppy training routine here.
Top tip:
Avoid isolating your pup and letting them cry it out during toilet training, as this can exacerbate separation anxiety.
If you're inclined to label your pup as "naughty," it's essential to invest time in understanding their communication, as they may indeed be grappling with anxiety.
Instead of categorizing their behavior as "naughty," consider making adjustments and offering the necessary support to help them navigate their anxious feelings effectively.
