I've fostered feral and terrified dogs for 20 years. Some dogs have anxiety about being confined. In my experience as a foster, it doesn't always matter what the exact diagnosis is, our goal is always the same end. We want a well trained, happy, friendly lifetime family member. 20 years ago we didn't use medications on pets. Once I experienced a dramatic transformation with a feral Border Collie using mild medication from a vet, and it caused me to change my mind and my procedures. Animals and humans need to learn HOW to communicate, and part of that is the dog learns faster if not under severe stress. I often use medications when I see anxiety behaviors because I've found when I use them for several months, I can then wean them down and off the medication. The thing is the medication is not "the cure". It MUST be part of a very purposeful education. Training classes with dogs are the first step. Though I know how to train dogs, there is definitely something special about going to training classes. They learn from watching other dogs and the socialization there. It's also nice to have another set of eyes watching the dog to see behaviors and help me with timing and cues. Sometimes standard training must be adapted for a dog. It's also important to do ALL the things regularly with the dog that we expect it to be able to do: brushing, cutting nails, bathing (=groomer?), riding in car, going to park to walk and practice training, taking treats from strangers, go to vets office just for a treat etc. I have a large pack of my own so I pair each dog with the best "helper dog" for their personality. Usually that is an adult or senior calm dog. But all dogs get to interact inside and outside with a small pack. There are important tips for overcoming phobias and anxiety. NEVER EVER punish them for being afraid or stressed. It makes it worse. **Play and exercise, and small (15 minutes, twice daily) training lessons are mandatory.** No matter how scared the dog seems, after they learn the schedule, they get small doses of what they need to learn, followed by time to decompress quietly and absorb what they've learned. This can be calmly laying on floor, next to me on couch, or in a crate. After they learn a "baby step", I move them to the next step, and they never realize they are learning. Sometimes even if it looks futile, you should stick with it. I had a very extreme puppy mill rehabilitation. The dog was so terrified she was abandoned by the rescue that got her from the puppy mill. Each weekend I took kids and dogs to the dog park. She would run the back fence line and somebody said, "Why do you bring that dog, she doesn't like it"? I laughed and said, "Wait and see, she will!". Six months later the person could not believe that same dog was greeting multiple people and playing like a normal dog. Yes it was stressful for her, but she learned from my other dogs it was FUN, and she was calmer after she got to run some of her stress off. She honestly had all the signs of extreme PTSD, including terrible nightmares. This may have been because we found in an x-ray, she had been previously shot. This horrifically traumatized dog honestly became the dog I could most count on and helped me rehabilitate HUNDREDS of other dogs! She was the "greeter" when people came to visit. I'm sorry for being so verbose. My point is to stress 1. Dogs can have psychological issues and deserve help for them 2. We MUST make training, regular exercise, socialization, and variety part of their life if we want a long term family member. 3. Don't wait to start! The faster you start, the faster they heal! It's worth the journey :)
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