Managing Your Dog's Anxiety with Heeli's CARE Program

CARE for Canine Anxiety (Canine Anxiety Relief & Education)

The Impact of Anxiety on Your Dog's Health & Behavior

Anxiety in dogs is more than just temporary worry; it significantly affects their overall health and behavior. Chronic anxiety can lead to various health issues, including a weakened immune system, digestive problems, and heart health concerns. It can impair judgment, affect social skills, and is often a root cause of many behavioral problems, such as excessive barking, chewing, and even aggression. Recognizing and effectively managing anxiety is crucial for your dog's physical and emotional well-being.

The CARE program is designed to help you understand and address your dog's anxiety. Here's how it works:

Spotting "Calming" Behaviors in Your Dog

Your dog shows natural "rest and relaxation" behaviors, which are key indicators of their well-being. These behaviors are associated with the parasympathetic nervous system's function, which helps return the body to balance after the fight or flight response is activated. Watch for signs like yawning, stretching, sighing, sharp exhaling (which may sound like a "huff"), shaking, and relaxed postures such as slumping.

Reinforcing "Calming" Behaviors

When you see these calming behaviors, use positive reinforcement such as gentle praise, treats, or affection. This encourages your dog to display these behaviors more often, helping manage their anxiety.

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Understanding Triggers of Anxiety

Part of helping your dog involves recognizing what causes their anxiety. This could be certain sounds, situations, or objects. By identifying these triggers, you can work to reduce or eliminate them from your dog's environment.

Learning More About How to Use CARE to Your Dog's Benefit

In Heeli's CARE for Canine Anxiety Program we'll provide you with information on the physiology of anxiety in dogs. Understanding your dog's experience deepens your empathy and helps you support them better. We'll show you how to implement the principles of CARE, including step-by-step instructions to optimize results and tools to support your dog's emotional health.

Contact Heeli Dog Training today to get started with CARE for Canine Anxiety. Call us at (505) 721-7243 or visit us online at heeli.co.