Fur kids need to know who’s boss, says dog listener Merry Conway

STRESSED-out dogs are on the rise in Tasmania. The experts explain why.

Dog behaviourist Merry Conway, with beige border collie Sweep, has plenty of tips on how to make your dog less anxious. Picture: KIM EISZELE

STRESSED-out dogs are on the rise in Tasmania.

Vets and animal behaviour experts have noticed a growing number of dogs suffering from anxiety and are dispensing remedies ranging from herbs and sedatives to enrichment programs and therapeutic training.

Anxiety has become the most common class of disorders in dogs, according to the Australian Veterinary Association.

The causes vary according to the pet. Some dogs being genetically predisposed and others developing anxiety through lack of training, separation and contact with other dogs in off-lead areas.

Hobart “dog listener” Merry Conway said anxiety was on the rise because people were treating their pets like “little children with fur coats on”.

But she said dogs needed a leader and were calmer when they knew who was boss.

The rise in people living alone had cast dogs in roles they were not naturally comfortable with.

“Pets are increasingly replacing partners, children and grandchildren,” Ms Conway, a dog behaviourist, said.

“But they need to have a leader and someone to take their cues from.”

Ms Conway said she often saw anxious dogs at popular off-lead dog areas such as Kingston dog beach.

But she warned people against forcing their dogs to join the “party” if it looked crowded and out of control.

She said dogs that wagged their tails vigorously when meeting each other were not necessarily relaxed, as a stiffly wagging tail could be a negative sign.

WHAT TO WHAT FOR Signs of an anxious dog, according to Merry Conway Panting when it’s not hot — this is a dog’s version of anxious sweating Stiffness in body and gait, with an uptight look Stiff tail, even if wagging Stiff ears Ears down Avoiding eye contact from other dogs

“When the bottom is wiggling that’s a happy wag because the body is relaxed,” she said. “If the tail is up and wagging but the body is stiff, that means, ‘Look out — keep away.’”

Dogs could also suffer separation anxiety when left alone for long periods, which was becoming a bigger problem as lives became more hectic, Ms Conway said.

People who worked long hours should probably think twice before getting a dog, and even families with children sometimes failed to spend enough time with the dog if after school was a frenzy of extra-curricular activity.

Sandy Bay vet David Boersma said he was seeing a rise in anxious dogs, most often due to them being left alone.

Some dogs became so traumatised by being home alone they could seriously injure themselves trying to escape to find their “pack”.

“Dogs are pack animals, and separation anxiety can escalate to panic when the owner goes,” he said.

He urged owners to consider ensuring their dog had another pet in the house, even a cat or bird.

Dogs with poor social skills could become anxious around other dogs, he said.

Dr Boersma, who runs the Sandy Bay Holistic Veterinary Centre, said he used a range of therapies, including herbal formulations, homoeopathy and fecal transplants.

Training was also helpful for dogs, he said.

Dog trainer Vicki Cleaver said she was seeing an increase in anxious dogs, which she treated with a program to build confidence.

Her Nose Works program encourages dogs to “hunt” for yummy treats, which increase their dopamine levels and improved their mood.

Originally published as Fur kids need to know who’s boss, says dog listener Merry Conway