We spend a lot of time walking her and playing with her and spoiling her. • Changes in routine – Dogs are creatures of habit, and if we could actually talk to them, most of them would say they prefer a fairly predictable daily routine. In some cases, the anxiety is so severe that it can affect our family routines or our relationships with our Chihuahuas; sometimes causing us to be worried, overprotective, upset, angry or even resentful of our pup’s behavior. My 5 year old chihuahua has had "panic attacks" (for lack of a better term) twice in the past month or so.Both times he was simply overjoyed at seeing our son (his previous owner) and acted happy and overjoyed. Do you know why? First of all, you should take him to puppy preschool. After reading your article I pulled out the leash and she ran out from her “clubhouse” ( under the bed) with her tail wagging and I think I saw a smile . I unfortunately don't have any answers for you. Clinical Signs of Dog Anxiety and Fear. Despite their small size, Chihuahuas also need daily exercise and mental stimulation. It can also look like a “flick” where the tongue comes out and goes back in without actually licking their lips. This is a generic term for a series of easy group-training classes for puppies (often performed at the vet clinic, which has the additional benefit of teaching your dog positive associations with the vet!). An anxious dog can cause worry to dog parents because the discomfort visibly manifests in their dogs. Chihuahuas are prone to acting aggressively for the same reasons any dog may behave aggressively, due to anxiety… We have had her since she was 8 weeks old and since day 1 she has been nervous and scared, but only at home with us. The simple answer, of course, is yes. We do not have kids or kids visiting or have many guests over. Make sure that your Chihuahua is getting lots of exercise from daily walks or backyard playtime, and give their brain a workout as well with interactive toys, obedience training, teaching fun tricks, or even games of ‘hide and seek’ or ‘find the treat’. If your dog has anxiety, it may look exactly like anxiety or panic attack symptoms do in humans — such as restlessness, shaking, and difficulty breathing. Many of them bark, growl and advance on anything that comes their way. If not addressed at the onset, a natural reaction to the unknown can turn into a phobia or general anxiety. Overnight: Some people prefer late night jobs. With separation anxiety, a dog that’s left alone for a period of time exhibits anxiety or excessive distress behaviors. Only a few people he knows well he doesn't do this to. If I leave him he freaks out. First, make sure that your chihuahua has some regular down time. • Unusually quiet or even depressed Start by leaving the house for just 10 minutes a day, and gradually increase this duration over time. • Weight loss or other health issues • Licking or chewing at themselves – compulsive grooming can often release endorphins (feel-good hormones), so some Chihuahuas may repeatedly lick or chew at their skin and fur to help relieve their anxious feelings German Shepherd. Yes Lara, I would try CBD oil. Shaking or trembling is a pretty typical behavior trait we notice in our diminutive dogs when they’re uneasy, but there are some other signs that might tip you off to the fact that your Chihuahua is too stressed out such as: • A change in their appetite – yes, our friends tend to be picky eaters as a rule, but sometimes they’re not eating because they’re actually anxious • Clinginess 31 Dec 07. The Difference Between Fear, Phobia, and Anxiety in Dogs A dog usually becomes nervous or anxious for one of three reasons -- short-term fear, a phobia, or because they are just generally anxious. Teacup intimates our 100lb. The lifespan for a Chihuahua is usually between 12 and 20 years. When I'm not home he's a lot nicer to guests. It’s usually a slower lip lick than when they are tasting something good. Watch Queue Queue This is a definite sign that your Chihuahua is stressed or anxious. Sometimes, it’s easy for us to see what’s upsetting our dogs, like the presence of scary noises or the fear of being separated from us. Lacking in self-control, an anxious dog may attack another or run onto oncoming traffic. • Reluctance to potty in their normal spot, or peeing and pooping in the house suddenly Next, taking steps to enrich your Chihuahua’s day-to-day routine can go a long way towards lowering their stress level! Try it for a few hours and see how she reacts. I have 3 chihuahuas and only 1 of them shows any form of anxiety and that is thunder. They may cower at your feet, with their body hunched over, ears down and tail tucked, or they may try and hide under furniture. Pet owners may mistake such symptoms as their pet simply acting out due to boredom or other behavioral causes. Alternatively, consider doggy day care or pay someone to pop in and spend some time with your pet. Anxiety is a fact of life—even for a dog. Why will she go to strangers but be so scared with us? We arent sure which. My lil chihuahua started this this morning, he starts having these spasms where it looks as though he cant get a breath in, it really disturbing, I had to call off work today because Im terrified to leave him alone and the only thing that I know to do is to talk calmly and rub his throat and belly softly. Then he gets out of it. Any tips are appreciated! To begin with, it’s always a good idea to have them fully examined by their veterinarian to help rule out any medical problems that could be causing their stress. She is very submissive to other dogs and people. If your dog doesn’t learn to accept separations, he may need professional help. • Destructive behaviors like chewing on furniture or clothing Separation Anxiety is Distressing For Dog and Owner. It’s true that there’s often no quick and easy solution to treating your Chihuahua’s anxiety, but that doesn’t mean it should merely be brushed off as ‘just a Chihuahua thing’. Of course you can’t prevent some of the health problems your dog develops, but you can prevent or treat many of them. Every dog can show their anxiety in different ways, and it’s up to us to do some detective work if we notice that our Chis are acting differently. We already know that our Chis welcome love and affection in large supply, but remember to avoid harsh corrections or punishment too, which can only make anxiety worse. When someone approaches me or enters the house he barks and tries to go after ankles. I recently broke my wrist and sprained my ankle so our daily morning walks had to stop. Among the most common causes of dog anxiety you find: Don't overlook the obvious! Be a Hero – Sign up to receive our emails today and we'll donate a meal to a shelter dog on your behalf. To begin with, let’s take a quick look at some of the reasons why many of our little dogs might be stressed: • Separation from their owner or other animal friend – Chis tend to bond very closely with their families. Because a trained Chihuahua will not create any issue for this time period. If you are constantly picking him up, petting him and carrying him around he is going to find it difficult to cope when you are not there. • Losing a family member (human or animal) –Chihuahuas are little dogs with big hearts; it’s not uncommon for them to grieve after losing a close companion. Separation anxiety is another common cause of panic attacks in dogs. This is the beginning of your chihuahua developing separation anxiety. Other more noticeable symptoms include aggression and excessive barking. For example, food tends to be trapped between the teeth. But that tough exterior may actually be a façade for a terrified little dog that just wants everyone to stay away. Because we know that it’s far from fun to be always stressed out, it is important to get to the bottom of the issue that’s bothering your Chihuahua. Much like in humans, anxiety in dogs affects their sense-perception and brain-to-limb coordination abilities. I’ve seen some duck under their owner’s arm if they are being held. I'm so glad she's not sick Erica, just missing her walks. Our 5 lb. If your Chihuahua has a reverse sneezing attack, massage their throat until the sneezing subsides. What about our dogs, however – is it possible for our Chihuahuas to experience anxiety like we do? They are loyal and protective and … Let us know in the comments! Your Chihuahua may lip lick and yawn when he is stressed. The following are some of the big signs your little Chihuahua is feeling stressed or anxious. I’m an experienced  dog mom that shares what I know about Chihuahuas and  dogs in general. Without meaning to, many owners mistakenly reinforce their Chihuahua's excited behavior, causing a slightly nervous, hyper or aggressive dog to display even more of these behaviors. Find a playmate, like another chihuahua, to stop chihuahua separation anxiety if loneliness is the cause. whiteheather39. This is something a lot of dogs will do and on Chihuahuas it is very visible. For the most part she has been healthy all along. Reducing Separation Anxiety in Your Chihuahua; ... you may be able to work your way up to spending a few hours away from home without Pepe having an anxiety attack. Wherever I bring him I have to hold onto him because if someone moves too abruptly he may go after them. Although a Chihuahua may not be as dangerous as a larger dog, a Chihuahua is still capable of biting and causing damage, especially to a child or older person. This slideshow explores the signs and symptoms of canine anxiety, and how owners can help their dogs deal. With many Chihuahuas, their eyes will actually bulge out. I'm considering trying CBD and also anxiety medication. Have you tried anything to to help your Chi with his/her stress? This is a fairly common cause behind any pacing, excessive salivating, destructive chewing, or barking, howling, or whining in dogs. A panic attack may cause a dog to bolt -- such as from fireworks, the vacuum cleaner or thunder -- heedless of traffic, glass doors or other dangers in the environment. Knowing if your dog is stressed can help you be a better owner because you can then work on helping him feel more at ease through training and/or changing the environment. For some Chihuahuas, simply giving them more of our time can make a huge difference in how they feel; for others, however, the chronic cycle of stress and anxiety can be impossible to relieve without help, particularly in cases of severe separation anxiety, extreme under-socialization or fear caused by a really dire event. She loves other dogs and has never been aggressive at all. I was at my mom's and she and my sister-in-law said he cried at the door the whole time I left him there. There are quite a lot of remedies for dog anxiety, and today we’re going to look at seven of them. Top 21 Smartest Dog Breeds – Most Intelligent Dogs, 12 Dog Breeds With Easygoing Personalities, 15 Dog Breeds That Don’t Need Too Much Exercise, 11 Dog Breeds at Highest Risk for Heat Stroke, A Tale of Two “Pitties” – Georgie’s Total Transformation, Monitor Your Pet’s Health From The Comfort Of Your Home, Finding Free Peace of Mind Can Help You Save Your Dog’s Life, ‘Beast & Buckle’ Was Co-Founded By A Man And The Dog Who Saved Him. However, she will freely go to strangers who are visiting and when on a walk will let everyone else pick her up or pat her. Causes of Anxiety in Dogs. Symptoms of anxiety may result in dog injuries. If untreated, overtime this can result in periodontal disease such as gingivitis and periodontitis, as well as premature to… He's showing the shepherd that he's the Alpha. • Health problems or chronic pain – it’s never fun being sick, and a Chi who’s feeling crummy all the time can definitely feel upset and anxious. I have a JackChi who is now 1 year old. She adores the cat and they spend hours preening each other. As mentioned above, Chihuahuas tend to go on the offensive when they are feeling stressed or anxious. This is a definite sign you need to change the environment. Thank you for listing the possible causes of anxiety. She has just started allowing us to stroke her on her back while we are sitting down. Then he started making this strange deep sound like he couldn't catch his breath. Occasionally, veterinarian prescribed anti-anxiety medications are an option for relieving severe anxiety too, which helps with behavior training and conditioning, allowing a dog to become calm enough to be able to experience certain situations without feeling constant stress. Thanks. The anxiety often gets worse throughout the season as storms become more frequent. Chihuahuas are definitely people dogs. Neglecting your Chihuahua’s needs can leave him anxious, and when he becomes anxious, he may shake. Read more. For every stressed dog, there’s plenty of help available through veterinarians, trainers, and canine mental health professionals. Small breed dogs such as Chihuahuas tend to have tooth and gum diseases. Chihuahuas who are stressed will often try and find a place to hide. Symptoms are shaking, fast panting, wide eyes, unwillingness to move from one spot, need for constant physical contact. Because it’s pretty common for dogs to have anxiety for several reasons, the search for dog anxiety remedies is something dog parents usually do. Put him in his crate, play pen or another room. Learning the signs and symptoms of anxiety attacks will help you better understand and help your dog. Others work themselves into a frenzy during holiday fireworks or a thunderstorm. When your chihuahua starts acting strange, or as if he is having an anxiety attack, your best response is to take him to the vet. But importantly your chihuahua does not like living in a state of high anxiety and fear. 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