FAMOUS FEAR & PHOBIA IN DOGS
From an evolutionary point of view fear and anxiety are life saving for animals. They help animals to avoid threats and prepare the body for possible meaningful reactions, known as fight or flight.
Cynophobia (Fear of Dogs)
What is cynophobia?
Cynophobia is an extreme fear of dogs. The name of this phobia comes from “cyno,” the Greek word for dog. Children and adults with this disorder go out of their way to avoid dogs. They may have severe anxiety or a full panic attack when hearing a dog bark, watching a movie about a dog or going to a place where a dog might be.
In severe cases, people with this disorder avoid friends or stay indoors because they worry about meeting a dog. Several types of therapy can help people with this phobia.
What is a phobia?
Phobias are anxiety disorders that cause people to be afraid of a situation or object that is usually harmless. They involve excessive fear of an event or situation that won’t necessarily cause harm in reality. And they tend to have unexpected reactions to things other people don’t find scary or worrisome.
Cynophobia is a specific phobia disorder. People with specific phobia disorders have extreme reactions to a certain object or situation. They do whatever they can to avoid the thing that causes discomfort, concern or fear — in this case, dogs.
Canine fears and phobias are relatively common and can affect dogs of all ages and breeds. Dogs have an acute sense of hearing which can contribute to fear associations.
The natural state of canines is to feel afraid when they encounter sounds, people, animals or other stressful things.
The Difference Between Fear and Phobia
There is an important distinction between fear and a phobia – fear is a response to a real or perceived threat, whereas a phobia is similar to fear but it is an intense and persistent fear related to a past experience that deeply frightened the dog. When your dog’s fear has become a phobia, your dog will exhibit what may seem like an irrational level of severe anxiety.
Symptoms of Fear and Phobia in Dogs
The fear response in dogs is healthy and necessary. The dog is alert and ready to take action in a given situation. However, when the response is prolonged, physical and emotional conditions may occur.
Fear behaviors include:
- Avoidance
- Whining
- Crying
- Trembling
- Shaking
- Panting
- Hiding
- Cowering
- Drooling
- Barking
- Destructive behavior
- In some cases, aggression.
Causes of Fear in Dogs
There are many reasons a dog may develop a fear or phobic response.
- Lack of socialization
If a puppy receives limited or minimal exposure to people or other animals when young, he or she may be unable to adapt to new experiences. Without adequate positive interactions with people or animals when impressionable, dogs may develop fear and phobias.
- Traumatic learning experiences
Dogs are impressionable and even a single traumatic experience can cause long-term fear or phobia, This can occur with a bad experience especially when a dog is young. This is especially true with the use of devices such as choke, pinch or shock collars.
- Genetic predisposition
Dogs may inherit a genetic predisposition to fear or phobic responses. Fear dispositions are often exacerbated in dogs who experienced a poor start to life (i.e. poor nutrition or prolonged stress in the mother while pregnant or nursing).
- Medical conditions
Tolerance for fear or phobic reactions is lowered in dogs who are in pain or ill. For example, senior dogs suffering from neurological dysfunction, declining senses or endocrine imbalances may exhibit heightened anxiety.
Types of Fear in Dogs
There are four basic types of canine fears and phobias.
- Noise
Many dogs are afraid of loud noises like fireworks, thunderstorms, gunshots and firecrackers. This can extend to vehicles backfiring, vacuum cleaners and other loud machines.
- Needles
Like humans, some dogs experience a phobia of being given a shot or having blood taken when visiting their veterinarian. Dogs do not understand veterinary visits are in their own best interest; many of the circumstances surrounding them, such as feeling sick, pain, car rides, new locations, strangers and the presence of other stressed animals can compound this fear into a phobia.
- Situational
Situational fears and phobias are a result of a particular situation, such as being left home alone. Separation anxiety is the most common example of situational phobia. Dogs with separation anxiety don’t seem to understand their parents will return and may exhibit destructive behaviors out of fear and anxiety.
- Strangers
Some dogs develop a fear of strangers, particularly men. Dogs rescued from abusive homes often suffer from this fear, which can lead to reactive behavior. This phobia may also include a fear of people wearing hats or bulky clothing and fear of other animals, particularly other dogs, cats and puppies.
Ten Common Dog Fears and Phobias
10 Common Dog Fears and Phobias
Dogs can experience a variety of fears and phobias throughout their life. From young puppies to adult pups, there are many common anxieties that our four-legged friends can struggle with.
Here are ten of the most common dog fears and phobias:
- Loud and Unexpected Noises
Dogs are naturally sensitive to loud noises such as thunder, fireworks, or construction work.
The suddenness of the sound can startle them and cause fear and anxiety. If possible, try to drown out the noise with something more pleasant by playing music or turning on a fan.
- Separation Anxiety
This type of fear occurs when dogs are separated from their owners for extended periods of time and can manifest in destructive behaviors such as chewing furniture or not eating.
You should also leave them with something comforting such as a toy or blanket so they feel secure when you’re away.
- Fear of Strangers
Dogs by nature are wary of strangers and can become scared or even aggressive if they feel threatened.
It is important to socialize your pup early on, but if they still show signs of fear around strangers then it’s best to keep a distance and ensure that all interactions are positive.
- Fear of Car Rides
Some dogs may have an intense fear of car rides due to confined space or motion sickness.
If this is the case, take small steps in familiarizing your pup with car rides by starting off slow and rewarding them for staying calm during the ride.
- Fear of Water
Many dogs are naturally apprehensive of water, especially deep bodies such as lakes and oceans.
If your pup has a fear of water, try to take them on lots of short trips where they can become more comfortable with shallow areas like streams or rivers.
You can also help by providing positive reinforcement when they don’t show signs of fear.
- Fear of Thunderstorms
A storm is a frightening experience for many dogs due to the loud noises and flashes of lightning outside.
To help your pup during this time, create an environment that mimics their normal routine as much as possible and provide plenty of distractions such as toys or treats.
- Fear of Other Dogs
If your pup is scared of other dogs, try to expose them in a controlled and safe environment.
This could be done by taking them to doggy daycare or going on group walks where they can interact with canine companions in a positive way.
- Fear of Vet Visits
Veterinary visits can be quite overwhelming for some pups due to the unfamiliar environment and strange smells.
To help your pup during this time, visit the vet’s office ahead of time so that they can become more familiarized with the area.
You should also reward them for good behavior and address any nervousness early on before it has a chance to escalate into fear or aggression.
- Fear of Vacuums
The loud noise and movement from vacuums can cause fear in some dogs. To help your pup, try to introduce them to the vacuum in a controlled and positive way.
You should also reward them for good behavior during the cleaning process and ensure that they are comfortable with the noise before you begin.
- Fear of Baths
Some dogs may be fearful when it comes to baths due to the lack of control or feeling trapped in such a confined space.
If this is the case for your pup, you should start off by introducing baths slowly by putting their paws into shallow water first and rewarding them with treats after each step is finished.
Conclusion
Understanding your pup’s unique fears and phobias can help you better care for them as they grow and develop.
By recognizing the signs of fear, such as trembling or barking, and being proactive in providing a safe environment, you can ensure that your pup feels secure no matter what comes their way.
With patience and dedication, you’re sure to help your pup overcome any fear or phobia they may have. And even if they don’t overcome it, at least they’ll know you’re there to keep them safe.
Compiled & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the
Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request
