Common Fears and How to Help

 Weather

Astraphobia, the fear of thunder, is a very common fear in dogs. This phobia can range from mild discomfort to full-blown anxiety attacks.

Unfortunately there is no way to tell for certain what the cause of such fears, but there are many speculations, most logical of which is the loudness and unpredictability of thunder. Another hypothesis is that the change in barometric pressure and humidity often alerts dogs to storms brewing before it even hits. Usually, dogs with astraphobia are afraid of other loud noises such as fireworks or gunshots.

If your dog seems anxious, hyperactive, and destructive behavior, he may be suffering from this phobia. Other symptoms can include pacing, whining, attention-seeking, or hiding. It is also common for dogs with a fear of thunder to urinate or defecate indoors. A dogs’ behavior can grow to a point where they are a danger to themselves or to people. 

There are several things you can do to help your dog, the most important of which is to continue with your usual routine. Don’t pay special attention to your dog when he is exhibiting signs of fear or anxiety. Even if it seems like he needs comforting, giving him praise and attention can reinforce the unwanted behavior. Even with change, some dogs will need the help of a professional. Consult your primary veterinarian about possible treatments.

 Being Alone

Separation anxiety is a disorder that causes a dog to panic at the thought of being left alone. It can be so overwhelming that when you leave, he can be destructive, bark incessantly, and urinate and defecate in the house. This condition can be very stressful on both sides because regular obedience training doesn’t cover it.

There are, however, things you can do to reduce your dog’s anxiety. It’s a process called systematic desensitization, which is a method of gradually allowing him to get used to being home on their own.

Firstly, rule out boredom. Many people mistake boredom with separation anxiety. While both are accompanied by problem behaviors, i.e chewing and excessive barking, they are different in the fact that boredom can be  overcome with more exercise and stimulation throughout the day.

To prevent your dog from building anxiety, make some changes to your own behavior. Pay attention to the things you do before you leave the house, and begin doing them randomly throughout the day. For example, you can grab your keys and sit down to watch television, or put on your coat and feed your dog. Within a few weeks, your dog should no longer see these things as signs that you are about to walk out the door, and some of his anxiety should be eased.

 Stairs

The fear of ascending and descending a staircase is fairly common, mostly in young dogs who may not have encountered them as puppies. But before you start searching for behavioral issues that fit with a dog’s fear of stairs, talk to your vet. It could be a physical problem such as pain when using the stairs.

The majority of dogs with a phobia of stairs are the ones that weren’t exposed to steps as a puppy, and in some cases, a dog who has had a traumatic experience, like falling.

Overcoming a fear like this is simple. Make sure that there is nothing on the stairs, especially things that your dog might trip over. Then, distract your dog from his fear. Rather than forcing him to go up and down steps, try tricking into going up or down with simple distractions like praise and attention. Walk slowly up or down, coaxing your dog to follow you. Overcoming this phobia can take a lot of time and effort. Take one step at a time— literally.

 Men

When people discover that a dog is afraid of men, they very often attribute it to a bad experience. While being abused by a man may cause a lifelong fear of all men, this is not the most likely culprit.

Usually a fear of men in dogs can be traced to not being exposed to a wide variety of men in early puppyhood. Even a dog who has lived with a man can be fearful of men who are different than the one they are familiar with. Men are usually taller than women or children, have deeper voices, and may have different features, such as facial hair. When you look at things from the dog's perspective, it's easy to see how a lack of socialization with men early on in life can lead to a lifelong fear of men.