Anxiety in dogs is a very common problem that can be triggered by a variety of situations, but are dogs afraid of the dark? According to the Blue Cross, it's not common for dogs to be afraid of the dark, especially because their night vision is much sharper than ours.
But there's no need to leave every single light in your home on just for your dog. In fact, darkness at the right time can be good for dogs. According to the Sleep Foundation, dogs, like humans, have circadian rhythms that are influenced by light. It's easier for them to sleep if it's dark, or at least dim.
You'll know your dog is afraid of the dark if he tucks his tail between his legs once the lights go off. You may also notice quick pacing and a lot of sniffing. If you leave your dog alone in the dark, a scared dog may tear up things he knows he is not supposed to.
Sometimes dogs can develop separation anxiety when they are not around their guardians. For instance, a dog's anxiety could arise at night if they stay overnight somewhere without their guardian or have to sleep in a different room than where their guardian sleeps.
Thunderstorms, parties, and other loud noises can have a huge effect on your dog. Stress and anxiety can build up throughout the day and this may reach a pinnacle at night time when you try to get your dog to settle to sleep.
Keep Their Sleeping Area Quiet and Dark: Mammals have circadian rhythms that are influenced by light. View Source , so it's easier for your dog to sleep at night if it's dark or dim. It's also easier for them to sleep if they aren't being interrupted by excessive noise.
Because they are social animals, dogs hate being left alone. The most common of dog fears is separation anxiety. There are always exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, a dog wants to be with her pack, be it you, your family, another dog, a cat, or even a bird.
Point: Dogs carry certain intestinal parasites, fleas, and ticks that cause human illnesses. Sleeping with a dog increases human exposure to these parasites and vector-borne diseases. Very young, very old, and immune compromised people are particularly at risk of infection.
DON'T stay away too long.
Most experts agree you shouldn't leave your adult dog alone for more than eight to 10 hours, but some dogs (especially ones with small bladders) can't last that long.
With regard to companionship, it suggests that dogs should not be left alone for more than four hours a day depending on their age. However the survey revealed that 23% of respondents left their dog alone for more than five hours a day on a typical weekday.
Can dogs suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder? Just like us, dogs can be affected by the loss of sunlight in winter months. A study by the PDSA found that one-third of dog owners notice the signs of depression in their dogs during the darker months of winter.
While pups do not perceive darkness in just the same way that humans do, it is possible for some dogs to become scared of the dark for any number of reasons (such as past bad experiences).
Each fear period will last roughly 2-3 weeks. The first fear period occurs relatively early in a dog's life, when puppies are between 8-11 weeks old. The second fear period, which also lasts roughly 2-3 weeks, will occur less predictably between the ages of 6-14 months.
It is instinctive for them to feel safe when in close proximity to their pack. Once you bring a dog into your home, you become part of their pack. They enjoy sleeping with you because it makes them feel safe and comfortable. Sleeping together gives dogs an emotional connection to their owners.
One concern about leaving lights on is disrupting the dogs sleeping pattern. Wolves are the ancestors of the domesticated dog, which were of course nocturnal. This means that lights shouldn't stop your dog from being able to sleep, but it might be an idea to consider leaving some of the house in darkness for them.
Some puppies and dogs prefer a nightlight. They find it comforting. But for others, the light can provide too much stimulation and keep them awake and busy. For those dogs, make the house dark and quiet.
They can also check for anxiety symptoms and ensure they adjust well to your absence. That said, it can be very unsafe and dangerous to leave your dog home alone for extended periods of time. As such, it's better to find them another place to stay so they can receive adequate care.
On average, you can expect to spend at a minimum, 1 - 2 hours each day on providing dedicated attention for your dog. This can be in the form of a walk, play, enrichment activities, training or general cuddle time. Dogs are pack animals so most of them love attention and company.
Adult dogs are generally okay on their own for 4-6 hours a day. But, many dogs are good at adapting to being alone for 8-9 hours while you are at work if they are provided with enough space to comfortably move around.
While it's only natural to want to embrace your loved ones, it's not always a good idea to hug your canine friends. "Hugging is a form of handling, and handling can lead to fear, anxiety, and stress in some dogs," says Dr. Vanessa Spano, DVM at Behavior Vets.
If your dog does this, it means they trust you. And, if they keep their bum toward your face, it shows that you make them feel safe. Your dog also wants to keep you safe and secure, which is why they plant their rumps where they do. This allows them to monitor the entire room and be ready for action if it's warranted.
However, with a dog sleeping in bed you risk getting more than just soft fur under the covers. Dogs and other pets can bring fleas, ticks and in rare cases pathogenic bacteria to bed, such as ringworm, tapeworms, Campylobacter, parasites and bacteria from urine and faeces in their fur.
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
“In my experience, the four most common breeds of dogs that exhibit signs of separation anxiety are typically Labrador Retrievers, Chihuahuas (both mixed breeds and standards), German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels”, says Dr.
Leaving Your Dog Alone Is Not The Answer
A common myth surrounding separation anxiety is that by somehow ignoring your dog, or by forcing them to be alone for long periods of time, they simply will get used to it, and the disruptive behavior will stop. This couldn't be further from the truth.