Your Dog’s Mental Health

Your dog’s mental health

By: Elissa Weimer-Sentner

It’s undeniable the effect that pets have on our mental health. They offer companionship, a soft friend to cuddle, they know when we’re feeling down in the dumps, they can even pick up on life-threatening conditions and save lives. At the very least, they make us feel like we’re not alone in the world. But what do you do when your dog is also struggling with mental health conditions? How do you, as their human, help them overcome these challenges? 

First, we must identify what the dog might be going through. The most common mental health conditions in dogs are anxiety, depression, and a phobia. Anxiety can be caused by separation from its owner, loud noises, travelling, or change in routine. A dog might also have anxiety if it has been neglected or abused. If a dog is suffering from depression, loss of a companion is most likely the root cause. Lastly, phobias can be caused from a past negative experience or a lack of early exposure to something. Common phobias include fireworks, separation, travel, stairs, strangers, or even items like vacuum cleaners or brooms. 

There are a lot of indicators that your dog might be going through one of these. Their body language is usually a telltale sign. Look for tucked ears, excessive licking or panting, tucked tail, yawning, or avoiding eye contact. 

Now that we’ve identified what mental illness your dog might be fighting and what might be causing it, we can begin to address it and help them feel better. There are a few things you can do: 

Give them plenty of exercise

Experiencing a good walk, run, hike, or playtime with your pup is a great way to exercise their mind and body, allow for them to connect with you, and enjoy the benefits of the great outdoors. The same way that fresh air is good for humans, it’s good for dogs, too. Let them soak up some vitamin D. It’s also great to just have dedicated, quality time together to reaffirm the relationship.

Stimulate their mind

Finding different outlets for your dog’s energy is a good place to start relieving any anxiety or depression. I suggest puzzles or brain teasers; usually the ones with treats involved work well and are a favorite of the dogs. Giving them something else to focus on helps alleviate their stress. Mental stimulation can be just as effective as physical exercise. It can tire them out just as fast as running around for an hour would. 

Provide self-care

Dogs need self-care just as much as humans do! And self-care comes in many different forms. Try giving your dog a day of special treat/reward such as a trip to the park. Give them a new toy, or an extra-long belly rub or cuddles. Whatever your dog loves, spoil them a little with it. 

Get Professional Help

If you’ve noticed that something triggers your dog into acting anxious, depressed, or fearful, the first step should be to immediately stop whatever it is and think of how you can best help them. Seeking professional help is a great option– it’s what they’re there for. It’s okay to avoid the triggers until you can work with an experienced trainer, and can help you resolve the issues once and for all. You don’t have to just manage your dog’s anxiety, you can help them overcome it. 

So much attention has been given to mental health for humans in recent years, and it’s important to remember that animals experience it as well. So as a dog parent, it’s part of your job to make sure they’re mentally healthy, too. Listen to them, watch their behavior – they might be trying to tell you something important. Giving them a little extra love on the days that they seem off can make a big difference to them. And who doesn’t love extra pup cuddles? 

Elissa Weimer-Sentner is the founder and co-owner of Paw & Order Dog Training. She and her husband established Paw & Order Dog Training in Pittsburgh, PA in 2013. Elissa is a certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and is a member of the IACP and APDT. She previously served as a Combat Military Police Officer and graduated at the top of her class at California University of Pennsylvania.