28 Your Dog March 2020
Rosie Bescoby is
a clinical animal
behaviourist, and
owns and runs
Pet Sense, which
provides behavioural
consultations for
dogs in Bristol and
North Somerset. She
is a full member of
the Association of
Pet Behaviour
Counsellors (APBC)
and a member of the
Association of Pet
Dog Trainers (APDT).Anxiety-related problems are common in dogs, so
how can we spot them and what can we do about it?
Clinical animal behaviourist Rosie Bescoby advises.
Living
on their
nerves
Temporarily avoiding
exposure to situations that
induce an anxious response
can provide a ‘stress detox’.
Then the dog can be exposed
to scenarios in dilute form, to
prevent inducing a negative
emotional response.DID YOU KNOW?common in dogs, so
what can we do about it?
Rosie Bescoby advises.
Temporarily avoiding
exposure to situations that
induce an anxious response
can provide a ‘stress detox’.
Then the dog can be exposed
to scenarios in dilute form, to
prevent inducing a negative
emotional response.DID YOU KNOW?“Anxiety is induced by
anticipation of a negative
event that may or may not
occur...”
I
It is thought that around 80 per
cent of dogs show a fear response
to something, and that almost 50
per cent of the UK dog population
suf er from separation anxiety.
In 2019, pet insurance companies
reported that behavioural claims
increased by up to 50 per cent
compared to 2018 claims, and
underlying anxiety will undoubtedly
have been a common component in
many of these cases.
Anxiety is induced by anticipation
of a negative event that may or may
not occur, whereas fear is dei ned as
the behavioural response shown to
actual danger.
Imagine being scared of spiders.
Someone shows you a box with
a huge spider in it; you experience
a fear response. If someone toldyou that within a certain room,
or at a certain time of day, a huge
spider might appear, you would
experience situational anxiety in
that room or around that time.
However, if someone told you that
a huge spider could suddenly
appear at any time or in any
place, you are likely to experience
generalised anxiety, which can lead
to chronic stress.
Examples of common scenarios
where dogs exhibit situational
anxiety include waiting in
the veterinary reception area
(anticipating a negative/painful
event occurring when the vet sees
them), when the clocks change and
the nights draw in (anticipating
previous fear-inducing i rework
noises), on a walk (anticipatinga scary dog round the next corner),
or when left at home alone
(anticipating another burglary
attempt). A dog who is unable
to control or predict when they
might be exposed to something
unpleasant or painful is likely
to be in a near constant state of
generalised anxiety.Lip licking can be
a sign of anxiety.