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How To Conquer Your Schnauzer’s Separation Anxiety, Sound Anxiety or Travel Anxiety
If your schnauzer is experiencing anxiety, life can be miserable both for you and your pup. I myself spent 2 years battling extreme separation anxiety with my dog, and we successfully came out on the other side. In this article I’ll share some of the resources and strategies that worked for us.
There are many forms of anxiety that your schnauzer may be suffering from. Typical causes of anxiety in schnauzer’s might be:
- Separation anxiety – Fear of being separated from their owner. This often manifests itself by your schnauzer pacing, drooling, biting, or being destructive while you’re away.
- Sound anxiety – Fear of loud noises like thunder, fireworks, or a vacuum cleaner
- Travel anxiety – Fear of traveling in a moving vehicle, or fear of intimidating places like your vet’s office or a boarding kennel
1. Experiment with Hemp Oil for Your Schnauzer’s Anxiety
One of the tools I successfully used in treating my dog’s anxiety was Hemp. While your results may vary, approximately 67% of the dog owners polled here claimed that Hemp was ‘extremely effective’ or ‘somewhat effective’ in helping their dog’s anxiety.
In my experience, Hemp helped my dog calm down enough to respond positively to the other training methods I was using to treat her anxiety. When choosing a Hemp oil, always look for a certificate of analysis showing a pure and safe product. I’d also recommend a product with 0% THC.
If you’d rather not give an hemp oil tincture to your dog, there are also great full spectrum hemp treat options available for dogs on Amazon.
2. Desensitize Your Schnauzer to The Cause of Their Anxiety
A key strategy for treating your schnauzer’s anxiety is desensitizing them to the trigger of their fear. For example, my dog’s anxiety was triggered anytime I walked out the door to leave the house. For other dogs, the trigger might be you grabbing your keys or putting on your coat.
Begin by doing the trigger activity, but then immediately reversing it. For example, I would grab my keys and walk out the door. Then I’d come back 5 seconds later. I did this literally hundreds of times over a period of a week. Eventually, my dog was desensitized and bored by the behavior.
3. For Sound Anxiety, Trying Isolating Your Schnauzer and Playing Loud Music
Many schnauzer’s that suffer from thunderstorm or fireworks anxiety experience relief in a smaller, more isolated room of the house where music can be played at a loud volume. A word of caution though, if your dog is also experiences separation anxiety leaving them alone in a room during may be counterproductive.
4. Try Using a Compression Wrap (Available in Many Sizes and Will Fit Your Schnauzer)
Many dogs are comforted by the feeling of compression across their body. One popular product many have found success with is the Thundershirt (available on Amazon). The product applies gentle, calming pressure that is very reassuring to many pups. The company claims the product to be helpful for about 80% of the dogs who tried it. It can be used to help calm your australian shepherd during fireworks, thunder, separation, travel, or vet visits, with no training and no medication required.
5. Try an Herbal Supplement for Your Schnauzer with Calming Herbs Like Chamomile, Passion Flower, Ginger Root or Valerian Root
Many calming supplements exist for dogs that are palatable for dogs, easy-to-feed, and can help quickly relieve your Schnauzer‘s stress and give a sense of safety and calm. Some supplements contain calming herbs like chamomile, passion flower, ginger root, and valerian root are a great option.
6. Experiment with a Pheromone Diffuser for Your Schnauzer
Canine pheromone diffusers mimic the calming pheromone that a mother dog emits while nursing her puppies. The diffuser can help many dogs feel calmer and more comfortable in stressful situations. The same company that makes the Thundershirt above also makes a product called ThunderEase diffuser, which is also available on Amazon.
7. Try an Anti-Anxiety Supplement Containing L-Tryptophan, L-Theanine or Melatonin
Other popular ingredients in anti-anxiety supplements include the amino acids L-Tryptophan and L-Theanine, both of which offer calming properties and increase the release of “feel good” serotonin in your dog’s body. In addition, some calming products for dogs contain a small amount of melatonin, which can help regulate and improve their sleep.
8. Experiment with Using Your Own Scent & Sound to Calm Your Schnauzer
In my experience, using your own scent and sound to help calm your dog is a powerful strategy in beating anxiety. I stumbled upon this one day with my own dog by accident.
Typically, if I left the home my dog would instantly enter a panic. But one day I needed to take a long phone call, and left my dog outside my bedroom door where I took the call. During the call, she calmly lied next to the door, where she could obviously smell and hear me. It occurred to me that I could possibly mimic this tactic while I wasn’t at home.
I recorded my voice on a CD player and then put it on loop. Then I placed a used t-shirt on the inside of the door where she could easily smell it underneath. To my surprise, I was able to leave the house for a short time. (I monitored her on a video camera). I slowly increased the length of time I left, and always found her calm and sincerely believing that I was just behind the door!
If you’d like to read the full story of how I cured my dog’s extreme separation anxiety, go here.
Another great product to help calm your dog is the Comfort Cuddler Buddy. You can stuff the cozy fleece man with your clothing or pillow case with your scent, and leave with your dog.
Lastly, another popular calming product is the heartbeat puppy toy. Traditionally, these have been used to help calm puppies who recently left their litter. The plush toys come with a warming features as well as a simulated heartbeat. While originally intended for puppies, many dog owners have found they can effectively calm dogs of all ages. This popular model is available on Amazon.
Effective Anxiety-Calming Methods for Schnauzers
Defeating your schnauzer’s anxiety is possible, but every dog’s journey will look different. I hope the tools and strategies above will be helpful to your journey.
If you’d like to learn more about the Hemp oil and calming chews we use here at iHeartDogs, learn more below.
For best results, you can pair the above Hemp oil with the calming chews below. Between the 2 supplements, they offer 10 active and natural ingredients to help calm your dog without the use of medication.
Top Pet Insurance Plans for Schnauzers
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do Schnauzers suffer from anxiety?
Schnauzers are highly intelligent and sensitive dogs that form deep bonds with their families. Because of their loyalty, they can develop separation anxiety when left alone, or general anxiety due to lack of stimulation, changes in routine, or past trauma.
2. What are common signs of anxiety in Schnauzers?
Signs of anxiety in Schnauzers include excessive barking, destructive chewing, pacing, panting, restlessness, trembling, and attempts to escape. Some may also show clingy behavior or become withdrawn when stressed.
3. How can exercise help calm my Schnauzer’s anxiety?
Regular physical activity helps release pent-up energy, reduces stress, and provides mental stimulation. Activities like long walks, play sessions, or agility training can help calm an anxious Schnauzer and improve overall behavior.
4. Can training reduce anxiety in Schnauzers?
Yes. Obedience training and positive reinforcement techniques give your Schnauzer structure and confidence. Training sessions also serve as mental exercise, which helps prevent boredom-related anxiety.
5. Are Schnauzers prone to separation anxiety?
Yes, Schnauzers are known for their loyalty and can become distressed when left alone for long periods. Crate training, gradual desensitization, and interactive toys can help reduce separation anxiety.
6. Can natural remedies help calm my Schnauzer?
Some natural solutions, like calming chews with chamomile or CBD, lavender sprays, or music therapy, can help reduce stress in Schnauzers. Always consult your vet before starting supplements or remedies.
7. How important is routine for Schnauzers with anxiety?
Consistency is very important for Schnauzers. A predictable daily schedule for meals, walks, and playtime helps reduce uncertainty, which is a common trigger for anxiety in this breed.
8. Should I seek professional help for my Schnauzer’s anxiety?
If your Schnauzer’s anxiety is severe or doesn’t improve with at-home techniques, consulting a veterinarian or certified dog behaviorist is recommended. They can help identify underlying issues and suggest targeted treatments.
9. Can diet affect my Schnauzer’s anxiety levels?
Yes, a poor diet lacking essential nutrients can contribute to stress and hyperactivity. Feeding your Schnauzer a balanced diet rich in omega-3s, vitamins, and minerals supports overall health and may help reduce anxiety symptoms.
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