FYI: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, I may receive a commission from various affiliate programs, and as an Amazon Associate and Chewy affiliate I also earn commissions from qualifying purchases—at NO extra cost to you. See the Disclosure page for more information. Thank you!

Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care

Home

Aussie Anxiety

by amy
(MA)

My vet thinks it would be a good idea to put my 2 1/2 yr. female Aussie on Zanax to help with her anxiety. I believe there has got to be a drug free option. Any thoughts?

Comments for Aussie Anxiety

Click here to add your own comments

Re: Anxiety
by: Anonymous

I FEEL FOR YOU!! One of my former aussies(rest her soul) DEFINATLY had some anxiety issues!! She would jump out of 2nd story windows, chew locks off of my storm windows, eat my kennels, just for an idea...I could go on for DAYS!!LOL! (I still loved her) There are several alternatives to anxiety without STARTING with drugs. There are many different supplements to try first. You can also try phermone sprays that you can spray in your house or different areas that affect him the most. There are also ones that fit on a collar. Just remember, it also takes work to change a behavior. Different routines, excersise schedules, etc. It of course will vary from dog to dog. My dog did ok and little by little the 'treatments' etc. got increased more and more. My dog was VERY extreme and to be honest with you, not much helped her. I dealt with her issues because I loved her, not like I didnt want to kill her sometimes(figure of speech) but I knew she was too extreme for anyone else to understand her...GOOD LUCK!

there is
by: Anonymous

yes, go to a health store, and get "rescue remedy" there is always an alternative; there on books on treating your pets naturalling, you can get there at the health store as well, or goggle it. best wishes

YES, THERE IS
by: Anonymous

Check the foof first. make sure its good qulaity, and possibly grain free(causes alot of allergies, which can trigger anxiety) and/or hypoallergengic food if possible. give him plenty of excercise, and whe all else fails, there ae natural alternstive at the healthstore, or see a holistic vet/behaviouist.
best to you

All she needs is exercise
by: Anonymoos

Aussies develop anxiety when they are not active enough. So many people get Aussies without realizing how much activity they need for their mental and physical health. Your Aussie just needs more activity, not drugs to cover up the problem.

At minimum for our Aussies we walk/run with them, play fetch, run around the park, etc.. 3 or 4 times at least throughout the day (around our work schedules) and then way more on the weekends. These dogs were bred to run around all day and not sit around the house like a stuffed animal, otherwise they develop mental problems.

Treat method
by: Anonymous

My Aussie is 9 months old we do so much outside time for him and run him around any time we can. This is at lest 2 times a day. He has anxiety around people coming into our house and when we walk him he jumps on people. We have learned that if you always have a bag of treats with you to distract them from the other person that works BUT do not stop and give the treat, walk with the treat in your hand and make sure your Aussie knows you have it. If necessary, walk around a car. This method has helped a lot. But every dog is different so it might not work for you but it never hurts to try.

Physical and mental exercise
by: Anonymous

I have my second Aussie and she is much more anxious than my first. It takes hours a day to raise an Aussie. My 10-month-old is outside running, playing, and leash walking three hours a day. She also has 3 fifteen minute indoor training sessions a day. They love mental challenges and it exhausts them. Without all of this, she would definitely be chewing the house apart and jumping out of windows and simply unhappy. Aussies need a job and they need routines. I also make all of her food from scratch and that makes a huge difference for many dogs I train. Dogs should not be on Prozac, there are underlying problems that are causing the behaviors. And definitely some holistic alternatives. Exercise is #1! Best of luck!!

Maybe get off your butt?
by: Justin B

I'm sorry, but the first response rubbed me entirely the wrong way -- if your dog is willing to jump out of a 2-story window to get some action the problem is your inaction.

I know my Aussie can do it, but I can't imagine how many options she'd have to exhaust to engage in that activity.

It blows my mind that people get herding dogs to keep them isolated and desperate for work. If your personal situation doesn't facilitate spending the proper time or activity with your dog surrender them to someone that can fulfill that.

There are plenty of low-energy breeds that fit sedentary lifestyles -- your dog shouldn't have to jump out of a window. Geez.

Nervous anxious mini
by: Ccc

My sweet mini aussie (15 lbs small) went into anaphylactic shock when she was about 8 months old, presumedly after she was bitten or stung by an insect. She had to spend the night in the emergency vet hospital. In the 18 months since then, we have tried everything we can think of to help her overcome her fears and anxiety of new people and places. She gets regular strenuous exercise daily, is on a vet recommended diet, was spayed at 14 months old, and goes just about everywhere with us. She is in excellent shape and health, and again is exercised twice a day for about 20 minutes each time, which is a lot for a 15 lb dog. We have tried to expose her to as many new people and places as possible to help her overcome her anxiety. She literally shakes, pees in the floor, releases her anal glands, and hides behind us when a new person approaches her. She was not like this before we had to leave her for 24 hours at the vet hospital. It breaks my heart to not be able to help her overcome her fears. Any advice is very appreciated.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Australian Shepherd Q & A.

Have Dog Training Questions?

Check out these introductory dog training videos...

I want my dog to stop being aggressive.

I want some help training my new puppy.

I want my dog to stop barking at everything.

I want my dog to walk nicely and calmly on the leash.

I want my dog to listen and come every time I call!

Back to Home

⌃ TOP ⌃

All Content Copyright © 2006-2024 by Anton Hout,
Australian-Shepherd-Lovers.com. All rights reserved.

Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, I may receive a commission from various affiliate programs, and as an Amazon Associate and Chewy affiliate I also earn commissions from qualifying purchases—at NO extra cost to you. See the Disclosure page for more information. Thank you!

As stated in our Privacy Policy, Australian-Shepherd-Lovers.com
does not sell your personal information.