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3 Step Summary 

1. Understand anxiety & how it can become stressful when it "wind's-up"

Anxiety is a natural feeling of fear triggered by an anticipated threat to one's wellbeing. This fearful anticipation can be learned from a previous traumatic event or inherited as a basic survival mechanism. In the wild when an animal is threatened anxiety will rise and their body and mind will react in a focused way that ensures their escape and survival, after which, the anxiety will quickly subside. However, if the animal is unable to escape the threat, the anxiety will continue to "wind-up" and quickly become stressful to the mind and body causing mental and physical dis-ease. Just like us, dogs have an inherited fear of being trapped and left alone, meaning they are prone to anxiety wind up the raised in an urban environment.

2. Recognise and avoid anxiety in your dog, preventing anxiety/stress "wind-up"

All animals react to anxiety in a very similar manner (most humans have learned to mask these reactions e.g. shaking when giving a speech). These reactions are a result of the body going into fight or fight mode, resulting in a surge of adrenaline and stress hormones. The first signs of anxiety will be fiddling (unable to sit still, or be quiet), followed by a more obvious fearful reaction such as appeasement (friend making), freeze, flight or fight behaviours. Every dog is wired differently as to which reaction they will typically express, but one thing remains the same, it all starts with anxiety. Remember, anxiety is normal and helpful, triggering us to react in a way that allows us to escape a perceived threat. Therefore, when we recognise anxious behaviours in our dogs it is a sign that they are afraid, and a que for us to offer them a peaceful escape, helping them feel safe, and teaching them that they have no need to be afraid. Every moment a dog spends trapped in an anxious reaction (without escape), their anxiety is building (winding-up) placing stress on their body and mind. As anxiety/stress builds within a dog they become quicker to react into their anxious behaviours and more difficult for us to break them free, becoming obsessive compulsive. When a dog is expressing obsessive-compulsive behaviours (unable to stop and respond to your commands) it is very easy for their stress level to quickly wind-up to an extremely unhealthy level, therefore, it is seriously time to proactively start helping them wind-down.

3. Providing an abundance of peaceful adventures for the mind and body, helping your dog naturally wind-down. 

The easiest way to help your dog escape inherent feelings of anxiety is by offering them a peaceful adventure of the body and mind. An adventure is something new and stimulating to the senses, forcing the mind into the present moment. A peaceful adventure designed to allow your dog the freedom to express their natural behaviours is the ultimate antidote to treating and preventing anxiety/stress in dogs. If we can recognise our dogs anxious behaviour and consciously redirect this energy towards a peaceful adventure they will quickly learn to feel safe and free, radically reducing stress on their mind and body, setting them up for optimal wellbeing.

Outcome 

The outcome will be a mentally and physically healthy dog capable of reasoning and learning with ease and joy. No longer in a state of adrenaline fueled reaction. Your dog will be calm and happy, easy to direct and safe to welcome on nearly all adventures, setting your family up for the greatest friendship known to man.

For a free, fun, printable flier, perfect for the fridge, helping you remember the basics

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To learn more about how to put this methodology into practice today

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