“I am starting to see lockdown dogs with varying levels of anxiety...”

FEAR, ANXIETY, AND PHOBIAS

Fear is a normal response to a potentially threatening situation. Puppies start to show fear between 7 and 20 weeks, and usually have another fear phase later in development. Fear is good! It keeps dogs safe, but if a dog is unable to escape or control fearful situations, they can develop anxiety.

Anxiety is a state of anticipating threats, sometimes when there isn’t anything to react to. Phobias are persistent and out of proportion fear responses.

Paco is now 18 months old and was sold as a Cockerpoo, although he is rather small and is probably a toy-breed-cross. He came to see a colleague for puppy vaccinations last year, and his owner was warned that he seemed very fearful and advised to have a follow-up phone consultation on how to safely socialise Paco.

Unfortunately, Paco’s owner did not take this advice because he seemed happy at home. Now they want to take Paco to cafes and on group dog walks, but Paco is scared of his own shadow. When I talked to Paco’s owner it became obvious that Paco was not happy at home either. He is no longer just showing fear of new people, dogs, and environments outside; he is unable to settle at home and reacts to the slightest noise or movement.

Paco now has generalised anxiety, which is affecting his own well-being and the relationship with his owner. He is starting a diet that will raise the serotonin levels in his brain, and we are introducing some food-finding games to raise his confidence and give him mental and physical exercise without leaving home. Paco is at the start of a long road, and may never be the outgoing companion dog his owner hoped for. He may require medication to reduce his anxiety so he can learn coping mechanisms.