How to help a nervous pet
The nervous nature of cats was aptly acted by Scaredy Cat and the tough personality of dogs was personified by Brutus, the Air Force K-9 hero. These fiction characters epitomize the characters of the cat and the dog. Dogs are loved and dogs are also feared because these animals that project a tough and aggressive personality are utilized by the police to hunt criminals. This is why it is rather hard to believe that dogs get scared too. If your pet is one with a “scaredy cat” character, what would you do?
Many pet owners are exposed to the “scaredy” personality of the pet. An accelerated heart rate, shaking and salivating are manifestations of a scared dog. Although potty trained, a nervous dog can have accidents inside the house. Fireworks display, the sound of thunder and even the ringing of the telephone are ordinary sounds that will scare a fearful dog. Scared dogs will react differently to situations that are considered to be scary. Other dogs would be destructive. Scared dogs can jump out of windows and do other things that can endanger its life thus a pet owner should not ignore the nervous personality of the pet. For the well being of the pet, a dog owner has to find ways how the scared pet can be helped.
Dogs are intelligent animals and to some extent can understand what humans say. However, it would be beyond their ability to understand if the master explains that the situation or the things that frighten him are not dangerous at all.
Since talking and making explanations is not successful, a pet owner has to find other ways to overcome the dog’s fears. It would not be uncommon for a pet owner to run to the dog’s side every time the pet is scared. However, doing so would reinforce the fear of the pet. The dog must be helped to realize on its own that the situation is not really dangerous.
This can be done by changing the scary situation with something pleasant. An owner can keep the dog in a room where the sound of the thunderstorm or the firecrackers can be masked by the sound of the stereo. Get the dogs in a room with closed drapes and let the dog play with its favorite toy. A treat filled Kong toy will make the dog forget the scary situation as dogs are food and toy motivated.
Find out more about what to do when your dog is scared and first aid for dogs at Sarah’s Dogs.
