Coping with human anxiety

[Casey Laurie]

Does anyone have any tips for masking human anxiety?
I'm in the midst of what looks like it will be ananxiety attack that could last several days. This is not going to be optimal for training with my defensive dogs. I can fake relaxed behavior during an attack, but I don't think I can fake the scent I must be throwing off. Its raining today so no park. I wasn't going to bring Rusty or Lilly in any event if I'm having an attack.

Does anyone have any suggestions for training thoiughout an anxiety attack?
Lilly has already lost ground since she was spayed on Friday, and I want to catch up as quickly as possible. I think having her at least back to where she was would definitely make things better.

[Luciann]

Casey, i have no suggestion about masking your scent through the attack but have you tried meditation to help with the attacks?

I know that when i stress or if i have to give a speech that if i meditate right before that it helps call the attack quite a bit.

just a suggestion, if you think it might help and are not sure how to go about it send me a private message and i can offer suggestions

[Alberta Hanko]

Hi Casey - If I am way stressed due to work or whatever, I usually work with Linus, my defensive dog, in quieter settings with basic obedience--simple sits, stays, here (on a long lead) and loose leash walking. I will put him in the car and take him to the county center (weekends when there is no one there). Beyond that, I also will work him in the yard--front on a long lead, and back on his homemade agility course, and try to keep myself moving quickly, which keeps him excited and interested. I feel as long as I am stressed I am not doing my best work either, and he will pick up on it.

Alberta & Linus

[Mario Niepel]

Casey, I really can't give you any help with how to deal directly with the anxiety. But, I think you should keep in mind that a poor training session may be less usefull than no training session.

If you are training your dog, you are not in a competition with other dogs or predetermined goals you have to reach at a certain time. Training should progress at a rate that is comfortable to you and your dog.

So, if you have a hard time staying calm and relaxed during training, then do what Alberta suggested, train easier stuff, indoors, without distraction. Even though you are not working directly on the defensive aggression of your dog, overall the training will help your pup to gain self-confidence and the activity of the training will mentally tire the dog out. So you actually are gaining ground in dealing with the defensive aggression.

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Casey~

I agree with Mario. Also taking a break(from training) isn't necesarily bad thing.
One thing that might help is DAP
They can help calm anxious or reactive dogs. Here's a link-
http://www.biovets.com/behavior_modifiers_9 _ctg.htm

Casey, I really can't give you any help with how to deal directly with the anxiety. But, I think you should keep in mind that a poor training session may be less usefull than no training session.

If you are training your dog, you are not in a competition with other dogs or predetermined goals you have to reach at a certain time. Training should progress at a rate that is comfortable to you and your dog.

So, if you have a hard time staying calm and relaxed during training, then do what Alberta suggested, train easier stuff, indoors, without distraction. Even though you are not working directly on the defensive aggression of your dog, overall the training will help your pup to gain self-confidence and the activity of the training will mentally tire the dog out. So you actually are gaining ground in dealing with the defensive aggression.

[Grace Erick]

Hi,

If you have a high amount of anxiety, relaxtion techniques like meditation or deep breathing may not help. Sometimes excersize helps or doing something that you personally find relaxing, perhaps reading or watching a good movie or as a last resort, medication.

Good luck!

Bye, Grace

[Casey Laurie]

Thanks all..inevitabley training inside with her is what I opted for until I felt better. It was a combination of unresolved issues, a virus with fever, and I think my thyroid levels were off (leveled out now). I seem to be back on track now..though we have more doggie drama tonight in a different area :dogrun:

[Renee Premaza]

Hi Casey,

If you're feeling that anxious, I would recommend that you find a good doggy daycare center and let her spend the day playing with other dogs all day (if she's dog friendly). If there are no daycare centers nearby, how about putting her in a good kennel for the day. Even being at a kennel might be better than picking up on your emotions on a day like this. Another idea would be to ask someone to take her for the day -- maybe someone she knows really well and is very happy to be with.

Does anyone have any tips for masking human anxiety?
I'm in the midst of what looks like it will be ananxiety attack that could last several days. This is not going to be optimal for training with my defensive dogs. I can fake relaxed behavior during an attack, but I don't think I can fake the scent I must be throwing off. Its raining today so no park. I wasn't going to bring Rusty or Lilly in any event if I'm having an attack.

Does anyone have any suggestions for training thoiughout an anxiety attack?
Lilly has already lost ground since she was spayed on Friday, and I want to catch up as quickly as possible. I think having her at least back to where she was would definitely make things better.

[Casey Laurie]

Lilly does seem to prefer other dogs to most people, but she really has no doggie social skills to speak of. Doggie Daycare might not be a bad idea, but then again it might. If she's having fear of people, I really don't want to risk a bite. I'm going, hopefully, to be able to make an appointment with the behaviorist that works for the shelter on Friday so she can make a better assessment, maybe get Lilly on some anti-anxiety meds. In the meantime I tried Rusty's muzzle on her. It's a little long, but it fits around and she seems ok with it. It will calm MY nerves considerabley if I don't have to worry about potential bites and my being more relaxed will make her more relaxed I'm sure. We worked on that last night during last outs. She did growl at someone going by, but was actively going potty at the time and there was no other reaction from her. I made absolutely sure there was no tension on the leash whatsoever and I think that helped.

Now I need to do something about her and Rusty. Poor Rusty. I think it must have been his paw I stepped on during their scuffle. He's has worse altercations with other dogs and not had that sort of reaction. I need to get him back in the saddle ASAP. Poor puppy. You should have seen the look on his face :(

AW HECK! Somebody give ME some anti-anxiety meds. Stressed? Who me?? :rolleyes:

Actually I'm doing much better. I'm going to have my thyroids rechecked. I've lost a lot of weight in the past couple of months and I bet I need to readjust my levels due to the change (increase) in my metabolism. 25lbs in the past two months. Between the South Beach Diet and walking 3 dogs 3 times a day I think I'll reach my goal a lot faster than I'd planned, lol.