Why is my dog having panic attacks when left alone or during storms?

Separation anxiety is a fairly common behavioral problem in dogs. Dogs are very social animals who form strong bonds to their owners, so it can be very scary and upsetting for them when you leave them alone at home. This problem generally requires professional help to treat effectively, so I would recommend getting in touch with a veterinary behaviorist who can evaluate Ariel in person and help you put together a detailed plan to work on her anxiety. You can search for one in your area here: www.dacvb.org

Hi there. It sounds like Champ may be feeling anxious or stressed for some reason, but without being able to evaluate him in person and get a much more detailed behavioral history, there's really no way to know what might have caused this. You can try using a DAP pheromone diffuser along with a natural calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure for the next few days to see if this helps.

I am sorry to hear about Chewie. The storms and fireworks can definitely cause extreme anxiety in some pets. I would recommend discussing with your vet if there is a prescription medication they feel is appropriate for him knowing his medical history to see if this helps if the storms are still ongoing. You can also try an Adaptil collar (a calming pheremone product), a Thundershirt (compression vest for anxiety) and a calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure, all available online or sometimes at pet stores or vet offices. If the strange behavior continues then an exam is recommended.

This is a complex problem with many factors. For example: how are the dogs if you go out for a short while in the evening and your husband is at home? How does he respond to them when they start their nuisance behavior? There are times to correct it, and times to ignore it (because they may be looking for attention, and they know exactly what to do to get it--even if they are negative resposes, it is beter than nothing). Is their usual routine disrupted because you are gone? Do you and your husband enforce the same house rules all the time? I would suggest that you click on the prompt to start a consult, where we can discuss this at length and figure out what is going on. I am very sorry about the loss of your father.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Despite how alarming this may seem, it is normal in some small breed very excitable dogs. I see it in some patients that come to the Vet. I do think that episodes lasting all day is severe though and I would discuss medications for you to give her to help calm her on those very bad days. I am sure it isn't fun to be that anxious all the time. Also trying relaxation techniques, going for basic training can help to focus her attention during these events. Having her sit or lay down or go to her bed to lay down would help to calm her. All that can be taught with a trainer. Since Belle seems to be severely affected I would put her on antianxiety medications. I hope this helps and I wish you and Belle the best!

Hi there. If you want to post again with more information on her behavior, such as who or what she is aggressive towards, what kinds of situations tend to trigger the aggression, etc. we would be happy to try and help :)

These links may help: https://www.petcoach.co/article/fear-of-thunderstorms-fireworks-and-noise-phobias/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-deal-with-noise-induced-anxiety-in-dogs/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/7-natural-treatments-for-dog-anxiety/ I hope this helps.