Obedience training can help dog overcome anxiety

Dear Cathy: I have a 9-year-old, female German shepherd. We have had her for six years. She is a rescue, and we are her third home. She is a sweetheart, but she has anxiety issues when we go for our morning walks. It is difficult to get in a 4-mile walk while avoiding other dogs. I can feel the anxiety in her voice when another dog approaches. I am hoping that you can give us a suggestion to help her. — Dan and Martha Cover, Tucson, Arizona

Dear Dan and Martha: Dogs who lack confidence can become quite vocal in an attempt to keep other dogs away.

If your sweet dog was never properly socialized with other dogs, she might experience anxiety when meeting another dog on your walks. I suggest starting with some basic obedience training: i.e., sit, stay, down, come, and heel (walk beside you on a leash). On the surface, this might not make sense considering the problem. But the goal of obedience training is twofold — to encourage your dog always to look to you for what to do next and to build your dog’s confidence, which makes for a mentally healthier dog.

When you’re walking her, encourage her to heel. If she gets out too far ahead of you or misbehaves toward an approaching dog, turn quickly, and walk in the opposite direction. This surprise maneuver reminds your dog to pay attention to you.

Finally, consider giving her an over-the-counter anxiety supplement before the walk. Look for products with ingredients such as melatonin, valerian root and L-theanine, which can help calm her mind and make it easier for her to learn.