Another lesser-known anxiety trigger for pets is clutter. Just as people tend to feel more relaxed in a clean and organized home, so do dogs. Animals do not like to live and sleep in messy places, so getting rid of clutter is a good way to help them feel more at ease.
The most common reasons for anxiety in a dog is abandonment, fear of being home alone, loud noises, traveling, and/or being around strange people, children, or other pets. We've also seen the anxiety in dogs that have been abused or neglected. The best way to treat your canine companion is to determine the cause.
Clutter can affect our anxiety levels, sleep, and ability to focus. It can also make us less productive, triggering coping and avoidance strategies that make us more likely to snack on junk and watch TV shows (including ones about other people decluttering their lives).
Even so, having a home that is dirty or very disorganised can have a direct impact on your dog's health – and this means that as well as basic cleaning and tidying to keep your home safe and healthy, you should also think about areas of the home that you can't see or don't use very much, which may be harbouring hidden ...
Dogs can become stressed because they are bored, frustrated, scared or anxious. You may also be feeling a bit stressed by the coronavirus restrictions in place. For many dogs, being around a stressed family member will be enough to affect them, as dogs can sense when things aren't quite right.
While generalized anxiety can develop from regular exposure to something your dog has a phobia of, it can also be caused by something as simple as the upsetting of routines or environment like a family member moving out, being left home alone for a long period or moving to a new home.
Mental Health
Researchers have found that a cluttered home contributes to stress, anxiety, and poor concentration. When a person's home is dirty, they may begin to feel overwhelmed, out of control, and anxious. Having a clean, accessible home can also make daily routines much easier.
Dogs may love to roll around outside and get dirty, but when it comes to their living space, it's important that you keep it as clean as possible. Keeping your home clean will prevent your dog from getting ill and keep them happy.
As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended to vacuum once a week for each large pet or human – for example, carpets in a 3-person, 1-dog household should then be vacuumed almost every other day. If it ever gets to a point where vacuuming does not seem to remove debris, then a deep carpet cleaning is in need.
Clutter can affect our anxiety levels, sleep, and ability to focus. It can also make us less productive, triggering coping and avoidance strategies that make us more likely to snack on junk and watch TV shows (including ones about other people decluttering their lives).
It can be a result of never having developed helpful habits and routines needed to stay organized in the first place. Perhaps you were raised in a very cluttered home. Because of this, you were never taught or modeled the habits needed to keep your things organized and uncluttered.
Behavioral/psychological: Clutter caused by depression, attention deficit disorder, low self-esteem or lack of personal boundaries.
Dog massages, snuggles and a good brushing can help distract a dog from its triggers and make it easier for them to feel safe and at ease. Mentally stimulating toys can provide a distraction for pets experiencing anxiety, hyperactivity and boredom.
The dog breeds that are more likely to have this problem are the German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and German Shorthaired Pointer.
Many dogs have sound phobias to loud noises like fireworks, thunderstorms, gunshots, and firecrackers. There is even research that suggests noise phobias can be inherited. According to Dr. Klein, herding breeds are particularly sensitive to noise phobias, perhaps because they are so attuned to their environment.
Dogs are happier after grooming due to the many health benefits and overall cleanliness that it provides. Grooming also provides an opportunity to be social with other dogs and groomers. Although some dogs may feel down after grooming, this quickly goes away and they truly appreciate the benefits of grooming.
Dogs are social and typically prefer to be with others. Some may always struggle with being alone. When a dog doesn't know how to self-soothe or cope, they may turn to chewing or clawing stuff around the house, or barking or howling.
According to BeChewy, medium and long coat dogs should bathe every four to six weeks, and owners of dogs with short coats should bathe their pets somewhere between every month and every three months. Dog owners should be warned not to wash their pup's coats too much, though.
Clutter: Possessions are disorganized and may accumulate around living areas. Collecting: Possessions are part of a larger set of items. Display does not impede active living areas in home. Hoarding: Possessions become unorganized piles preventing rooms from being used for their intended purpose.
A study by the University of Connecticut found that by removing or controlling clutter, we can directly reduce the stress that stems from the mess which can help us to feel happier, less anxious, and more confident in ourselves.
A cluttered, untidy environment actually generates more of the stress hormone cortisol in the brain. So, if your home and living spaces are clutter-free, tidy and clean then you can assume you'll generate less cortisol and reap the rewards mentally.
Common signs of anxiety in dogs include:
Barking or howling when owner isn't home. Panting and pacing (even when it's not hot) Shivering. Running away and/or cowering in the corner of a house.