Your English bulldog can develop anxiety due to many complex reasons. Dog owners should avoid yelling at their dogs too much as it can turn a normally timid dog into a nervous one. New changes introduced into your home can also make your dog insecure. There are many cases when a baby welcomed as a new member of the family can dramatically alter your dog’s behavior. You may also notice that when a member of the family is sick or when new faces greet your dog during special occasions like holidays, birthdays, celebration, and home visits, all makes your bulldog oddly. Ensure to help your dog feel secure and calm in all of the situations when your dog meets strangers in your home.
Seriously watch out for signs of anxiety of your English bulldog and never take them for granted. Anxiety can manifest itself in several ways including destroying things with their teeth, excessive barking, growling, grunting, attacking because of fear, or becoming hyperactive. You can offer your loving concern by following these steps on managing canine anxiety:
1. Consult your veterinarian to get a correct diagnosis of separation anxiety. Your veterinarian will offer treatment for your dog or refer you to an animal behaviorist who can prescribe effective drug therapies to alleviate your dog’s anxieties.
2. Practice leaving your dog alone for short periods of time. Pick up your keys and leave for 1 minute.
3. Gradually increase the amount of time you stay away. This will enable your dog to become used of your absence.
4. Avoid overly emotional good-byes or greetings. You can simply pat your dog on the head and offer a quick good-bye or hello.
5. Exercise your dog for an hour each day in other places besides your yard or home. Dogs are territorial so a change of environment can help your dog feel comfortable and let it blow off steam.
6. Keep your dog confined in a safe area while you are away from home. Be sure to leave a bowl of water and plenty of chew toys.
7. Praise your dog often to build self-confidence in times of anxiety rather than punishing her for exhibiting frightened behaviors. Punishment only increases anxiety and makes the situation worse.
8. During family get together or party, ask family members to keep an eye on your pet at all times.
9. You can also exclude your English bulldog when your home holds celebrations. An anxious dog can be a bothersome pet during celebrations.
10. Watch out for bulldogs that are not raised by their mother but raised in pet shops. “Pet shop raised” dogs lived a highly isolated life. They are susceptible to suffer from anxiety problems. This case is the same with dogs living in dog pounds.
11. Aim to keep a regular schedule of activities of your bulldog. You should feed your dog at same times, take him out at same times, and let your pet play at the same time in the afternoon or early evening among other things. This kind of arrangement will especially benefit older bulldogs.
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