Dogs with anxiety

So my dog and I are very attached to each other, and since I got pregnant she has developed anxiety where she constantly licks and chews on her leg.

I have taken her to the vet repeatedly, which is getting really expensive, so I am hoping someone here has some advice for me.

I feel so bad for her. She is my little love and I don't want her to be upset the baby is coming. Any suggestions?

Re: Dogs with anxiety

I understand what you are going through. My male dog is a very anxious dog, always was. I wound up getting another dog to keep him company when he was 1.

Once i got pg, last year, I cant say I saw a change in him but I knew that he would get less attention and also have to learn how to deal with a baby. HE IS MY BABY...hes a mamma's boy. For ex, he will wait by the back door when we go out, even if it's 5 hours...just sit there whimpering and waiting. He wont go to sleep, we even put his bed right there in case he gets tired of standing.

Anyway, once baby came, we made sure to keep him and my female dog involved. We would let themgo into DDs room when we were getting it ready and still allow them in (DD is now 11 mths). He is m uch needier than my female...so we pick him up whenever we can, he sits with us when we are playing with DD< if we are feeding her, and both of us are there one of us will pick him up to sit in our laps (he comes over wanting to be picked up).

I snuggle with my two dogs at night when DD goes to bed. I still let them come in our bed. We take them to families houses, out to do fun things with DD. We try to keep it as normal as possible for them, so they still feel loved. So far so good. They love my DD, and they get excited when she reaches for them, etc.

About the nervous habits, try to figure out what the dog may be sensing has changed. When I had DD I was in the hospital for 5 days and my female dog (nervous issues also) freaked out a bit when I got home with the baby.But in a few days, she was back to her old self. I think it was all the people coming and going in my house before we came home (my family was here watching my dogs while I was in the hospital and DH was with me during the day). Oh, also...DH slept at home each night to keep things normal for them while I was in the hospital with DD.

Just try to keep things as normal as possible, show your dog you still love him/her, etc. Try to make as many gradual changes as possible. Also...put together any large toys, etc, so your dog starts getting used to the objects the baby will be associated with, before the baby comes, kwim?

It will be a big adjustment for your dog...esp if they are sensing your pg (mine never seemed to sense it). but with your guidance, your dog will likely do ok. The chewing of the leg, I dont have much to offer there other than try to figure out if anything seems to have changed that your dog is picking up on and if there is anythign you can do to ease the transition.

Message edited 11/12/2009 11:29:52 PM.

Re: Dogs with anxiety

What kind of dog do you have? I'd start with doing a google search for the breed (or primary breed if it's a mix) and the word anxiety. There are many breeds that are very resistant to change and there may be information out there to help.

I don't have any experience with this specifically so I think you should stick with what Goobster and the other parents tell you.

What I do know is that certain behaviors can subside with small doses of whatever they need - in this case, more frequent attention but for shorter periods throughout the day may work. With things you don't want them to do, you have to snap them out of it with a sharp sound and as soon as they stop, reward them with attention, treats, a toy etc.

Good luck and congratulations.

Re: Dogs with anxiety

I've found that exercise helps the anxiety/nervous habits for my dog. I take her on long walks/runs, or even just let her play in the yard for long periods of time and the behaviors seem to diminish on those days.

Re: Dogs with anxiety

Thank you for your responses.

She is a 6 1/2 year old black Lab mutt, weighing about 40 lbs.

This is what I have been trying to help her out with her anxiety. I should start off by saying, she is RARELY alone for long. At most 3 hours a day. I don't know if this is part of the problem? Am I with her too much? If I am home with her we are always together, and if we are not snuggling together she is in the same room as me. I even put her bed in the kitchen while I cook now so she does not feel like I am leaving her alone.

I did set up the big items to help her and the cats get used to them. I left some toys out as well. I don't usually allow her in bed with me except for when she gets a bath, which is quite often because of her skin issues, but now I am waking up to her next to me. I have been bad and not been discipline her when she does this because I feel guilty.

I do walk her at least an hour a day, do you think I should try to squeeze in more? It is getting cold out and I am 8 1/2 months pregnant so I am not sure how much more time I can spend walking with her but I will give it a try if people think that will help.

My DH and thought about getting another dog to keep her company, but I keep thinking she is going to think I am trying to replaced her. I don't want her to feel more left out or too much change at once. Also we live in a very small 2 bdrm apartment so getting another dog will really have to wait till we move in June.

She is on day two of her allergy pills and they are making her lethargic, but nothing is less red. I really don't want to put her on prozac like the vet wants to.

Thanks for reading my post. I have major mom guilt.

Re: Dogs with anxiety

Posted by katiebug

My DH and thought about getting another dog to keep her company, but I keep thinking she is going to think I am trying to replaced her. I don't want her to feel more left out or too much change at once. Also we live in a very small 2 bdrm apartment so getting another dog will really have to wait till we move in June.

She is on day two of her allergy pills and they are making her lethargic, but nothing is less red. I really don't want to put her on prozac like the vet wants to.

Thanks for reading my post. I have major mom guilt.

Re: Dogs with anxiety

Posted by Goobster



Hmm,with a baby on the way, I dont think Iwould get another dog now. You will be too busy to care for/train a new dog and it may be wayyy too much of an adjustment for your dog to learn to deal with a new dog AND a baby....so I would not do that now.

It sounds like you walk her a good amt and that she isn't alone much. That's the same with my dogs. But it's just their breed/nature to be family oriented and needy...of interaction, kwim? I think you are doing a great job at helping doggie to adjust, I reallly do. And I so understand the doggie mom guilt, I really do! FM me if you need to! I assure you, if you love your dog (I can tell you do!!) it will all work out when baby comes, in time and with your guidance.

Re: Dogs with anxiety

Posted by katiebug

Posted by Goobster



Hmm,with a baby on the way, I dont think Iwould get another dog now. You will be too busy to care for/train a new dog and it may be wayyy too much of an adjustment for your dog to learn to deal with a new dog AND a baby....so I would not do that now.

It sounds like you walk her a good amt and that she isn't alone much. That's the same with my dogs. But it's just their breed/nature to be family oriented and needy...of interaction, kwim? I think you are doing a great job at helping doggie to adjust, I reallly do. And I so understand the doggie mom guilt, I really do! FM me if you need to! I assure you, if you love your dog (I can tell you do!!) it will all work out when baby comes, in time and with your guidance.

Thanks Goobster! I agree about getting another dog and a baby at the same time is a bit much. It is more like we think about it, and then come to our senses. And IF we did, which we won't, it would be an older dog that is trained, a rehomed pet or another rescue. There is just no way I would get a puppy right now. But in reality we will probably get another dog come the fall, when we all have time to adjust and have much more room.

I have another appointment in a couple of weeks. I just pray that this is mostly allergy related and her poor leg will heal.