How do stress and anxiety affect my dog's behavior?
How do stress and anxiety affect my dog's behavior?
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Like people, dogs can become "stressed out." New people or animals in the household, illness, travel, confinement, owner separation, and fear of thunderstorms are all common causes of canine stress. Symptoms may range from mild whining or a loss of appetite to inappropriate elimination and all-out panic attacks. Nervous dogs may tremble, bark, or even show aggressive and destructive behavior.
If your dog appears to be stressed out, your veterinarian can rule out physical problems, and if necessary, prescribe anti-anxiety drugs and behavior modification techniques. Maintaining a regular schedule of feeding, long walks, and playtime can also go a long way towards keeping your dog's stress at bay.
– Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series