Dogs are no different to people, and they can suffer from a variety of physical health ailments, just like us. It’s therefore important to remember that they can also suffer from a variety of mental health issues as well, such as anxiety, dementia, and phobias.
What is a Dog Phobia
A phobia is anything that results in an uncontrollable fear reaction, often resulting in extreme behaviour. It may not always be possible to determine what caused the phobia in the first place, in fact, it is thought to often be an inherited trait. The important thing is to know how to recognise a phobia in your pet, and then take steps to ensure in the event that a trigger event occurs to create a reaction. Often, these phobias are related to loud noise events, such as fireworks or thunder, but many other phobias can develop, such as situational phobias or a fear of strangers.
How Should Dog Phobias Be Handled?
If your pet has a tendency for extreme behaviour that is always triggered by the same event, then this means you can identify the cause of their phobia. For example, if a thunderstorm always causes your dog to bolt from you, hide, shake, bark, or exhibit dangerous behaviour that could result in them injuring themselves, then you can be pro-active in knowing that your pet may need some assistance prior to the arrival of a storm to ensure their safety.
Seeking advice from your veterinarian is the best place to start. They will listen to you describe the phobia trigger and your pet’s reaction, and then determine what the best course of action is to ensure your pet’s safety.