:

How to treat canine PTSD?

Marco McKenzie
Marco McKenzie
2025-09-23 21:21:12
Count answers : 21
0
A type of behavioral training called systematic desensitization is common for dogs with PTSD. It exposes your dog to whatever it is that brings on their anxiety or fear. If noise is the trigger, your dog will hear the noise very quietly at first and get a treat for good behavior. The noise will slowly get louder and the treats will keep coming, as long as they stay calm. The goal is to get your dog to associate the trigger with treats, not trauma. Other important parts of PTSD treatment include daily exercise, play sessions, and positive reinforcement training. Training could take weeks or years. It may not cure the PTSD, but it could help your dog live a healthy, happy life, so long as you limit their exposure to the things that trigger a stressful episode. Just because a dog doesn’t have PTSD doesn’t mean their behavior isn’t difficult for the owner and potentially dangerous to others. Don’t offer comfort, like soothing words, pets, or kisses. Instead, they tell them it’s OK to act afraid or aggressive. The best way to work through fear and anxiety, Ignore the problem and do something else with them.