Vet visits. Thunderstorms. Car rides. Fireworks. Separation anxiety. Moving to a new home. When the world is about to become a scary place for your dog, try to be preemptive. Taking action before the adrenaline kicks into overdrive may help your dog remain calmer. Thankfully, Suntheanine is available in pet supplement formulas.
Can you spot signs of anxiety?
Some behaviors may be obvious, others may be more subtle. They may involve:
- Drooling and panting
- Shaking
- Car sickness
- Barking or whining
- Pacing
- Tail tucked between legs
- Obsessively scratching or chewing at themselves
- Digging and destructiveness
- Hiding
- Unwillingness to engage in favorite activities
- Inappropriate marking (going to the bathroom inside the house)
When in doubt, consult a behaviorist or your veterinarian to identify your dog’s triggers and work on possible solutions. Veterinarians often suggest a combination of behavior modification and giving your pet something to calm their nerves, such as a chewable dog nutritional supplement that contains Suntheanine, about 30 minutes before the anticipated trigger. This gives the Suntheanine time to start soothing your dog’s brain waves before the adrenaline “fight or flight” response kicks in.
You may prefer using Suntheanine to a prescription sedative, which can leave a dog feeling groggy and unsteady long after the source of their anxiety has passed. During times of increased stress, it is even safe to increase the dosage of one of these Suntheanine-based products (see label instructions and always check with your veterinarian).
Consider trying Suntheanine either by itself, or in conjunction with other behavioral tactics, such as:
- Increase exercise. A brisk walk or game of fetch promotes the release of soothing endorphins. A tired dog may also be less inclined to exhibit some stress behaviors.
- Redirect their attention. Take their mind off of what’s bothering them by practicing training exercises or engaging them with their favorite toy.
- Create a safe space. Giving your dog a safe, quiet place such as a crate or bedroom may help them regroup. Equip it with blankets and favorite toys. Be careful about forcing them into this space. You want to make this a positive experience. You may try luring with a few tasty treats the first few times. If you use a crate, experiment with leaving the door open so your dog feels more in control over the environment.
- Gradually desensitize them. This involves slowly exposing your dog to trigger situations, so they get used to them over time. Keep these sessions very short at first. Reward calm behavior with high-value treats, such as cheese. That way, your dog starts associating the situation with something positive.
That “focus” that Suntheanine helps promote in people? It also works with dogs, better enabling you to redirect their attention away from the stressor and to something more positive such as a favorite chew toy.
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