The post Dog Pacing \u2013 Why It Happens and How to Help Your Pacing Dog<\/a> by Stephanie Osmanski<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n Just how pacing in humans is often associated with restlessness or anxiety, dogs might begin pacing if feeling anxious or experiencing stress. In most cases, dog pacing is not a serious health issue \u2014 rather, merely a behavioral response to general nervousness or anxiety.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen a dog paces they are usually walking back and forth from one spot to another,\u201d says Dr. Sara Ochoa, DVM.\u00a0\u201cSometimes they will just be walking around the house without a destination in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n Dogs might pace while waiting for someone or something \u2014 like for a family member to come home or waiting for mealtime. Some dogs pace for awhile with a high-value toy or treat in their mouth and may even whine. Because dog pacing isn\u2019t technically a medical issue, \u201ctreatment\u201d is all about helping your dog feel more comfortable. The more comfortable a dog is, the less likely he is to feel anxious. If the anxiety is targeted and treated, then the dog might stop pacing.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is easy to identify a\u00a0dog\u00a0who has a\u00a0pacing\u00a0problem. A\u00a0dog\u00a0is\u00a0pacing\u00a0when she is walking back and forth in a repetitive pattern,\u201d says Amanda Gagnon, certified professional dog trainer<\/a> and graduate researcher of anthrozoology at Canisius College. \u201cWhen\u00a0pacing\u00a0occurs for a short period of time, it is nothing to worry about. However, if a\u00a0dog\u00a0paces\u00a0for an extended length of time or cannot be deterred from the activity, it may be time to call a professional\u00a0dog\u00a0trainer.\u201d<\/p>\n Some kinds of pacing are considered normal and most can be treated with the help of a training specialist, who can provide easy solutions to distract the dog and discourage pacing.<\/p>\n \u201cNormal dog pacing is usually caused by excitement, the need for attention or an alert to something unusual in the environment,\u201d says Kristen Papile-Kranjc, CMDT, of Long Island Canine Class. \u201cThis type of pacing can be addressed by a dog trainer or behavioral specialist. Distraction techniques such as giving the dog a high-value toy or bone that he doesn\u2019t see often to keep him busy, playing with your dog or taking him out for a walk are some simple solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Dr. Ochoa, pacing in dogs is generally caused by stress or anxiety. However, sources of anxiety and stress could be a variety of things: trips to the vet, waiting for someone or something to happen, having to pee or poop, or general restlessness.<\/p>\n \u201cMost dogs will pace at home or at the vet clinic,\u201d Dr. Ochoa explains. \u201cAt home, they may pace back and forth near the front door waiting for a family member to come home. They may pace near the back door when they need to go out and potty.\u201d<\/p>\n The vet\u2019s office is often a source of stress for dogs \u2014 you know, shots and other weird instruments, and whatnot. This can cause some stressed dogs to respond by pacing.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the veterinary clinic, dogs will pace when they want to go home,\u201d Dr. Ochoa adds. \u201cI see dogs who do not like to be at the vet. They will pace back and forth in the exam room or the waiting room the whole time they are there.\u201d<\/p>\n The older the dog, the more likely they are to develop pacing behaviors. In older dogs, pacing could be a sign of dementia.<\/p>\n \u201cAs some dogs age, they start pacing around the house and act more stressed due to them not always knowing where they are,\u201d Dr. Ochoa adds. \u201cWe do see signs similar to dementia in dogs and as they age, they will begin to pace more.\u201d<\/p>\n Pacing can also be an early sign of some medical issues that require immediate treatment. According to Dr. Jason Nicholas, author of 101 Essential Tips: Dog Health & Safety<\/em>, pacing can indicate a bloating issue.<\/p>\n \u201cIf your dog\u2019s stomach is bloated, or if they\u2019re anxious, pacing, or repeatedly trying to vomit with no luck, they are likely suffering from Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (GDV) \u2013 also known as dog bloat,\u201d Dr. Nicholas explains. \u201cDogs affected by bloat will have a difficult time getting comfortable and lying down. Pacing and restless is often one of the most obvious and early signs, so pay attention to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Dogs can pace for a variety of other reasons, too; stress, anxiety, and bloat aren\u2019t the only causes.<\/p>\n \u201cDogs will also pace because they are bored or carry excessive energy,\u201d says Gagnon. \u201cLess common reasons for pacing are mating behaviors, attention-seeking behaviors and medical issues. Humans can often determine whether a trip to the vet is needed by attending to other accompanying symptoms such as lethargy, mood changes and loss of appetite.\u201d<\/p>\n Pinpointing the cause of your dog\u2019s pacing is important to helping your pet. If your dog is carrying excess energy or suffering from boredom, Gagnon says it\u2019s an easy fix.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is easily fixed by adding exercise and mental stimulation to the dog\u2019s daily routine,\u201d Gagnon explains.<\/p>\n Or if your dog is pacing as a way to patrol their yard, Gagnon recommends limiting their yard time.<\/p>\n \u201cSome dogs, particularly dogs who spend their day in a yard, develop a habit of pacing as a way of patrolling the boundary of their yard,\u201d Gagnon adds. \u201cThis behavior is best prevented by limiting the amount of time the dog spends along in the yard without their humans.\u201d<\/p>\n For dogs who pace because of stress and anxiety, Gagnon recommends training classes.<\/p>\n \u201cStress and anxiety often require the assistance of a professional trainer to remedy,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Other remedies for treating stress-induced pacing include showing your dog that everything\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n \u201cIf your dog is pacing because they are waiting for someone to come home, helping calm them or letting them out to play will help with the pacing at home. If it is due to aging, there are supplements that you can give your dog to help with the anxiety,\u201d says Dr. Ochoa. \u201cAt the vet clinic, you can give your pet treats and help show them that it is an okay place to be.\u201d<\/p>\n In all cases though, Dr. Ochoa says knowing your dog\u2019s pacing triggers is the biggest way to help. \u201cIf you know what causes your pet to pace, you can avoid the situations. Sometimes you cannot avoid these situations, or the pacing is due to your dog getting older. There are supplements that you can give your dog to help with anxiety and stress.\u201d<\/p>\n Because so many different factors can influence pacing in dogs, Papile-Kranjc says the best advice is knowing your dog\u2019s normal behavior. Anything unusual might warrant a visit to the veterinarian\u2019s office.<\/p>\n \u201cPacing can also be a symptom of a health issue due to a disorder, advanced age or illness,\u201d Papile-Kranjc explains. \u201cKnow your dog. Be familiar with your dog\u2019s behavior and also keep current with his veterinary care. Anything sudden or out of the ordinary to his regular behavior that is not alleviated by training or behavior modification techniques should be addressed by a veterinarian.\u201d<\/p>\n How do you address dog pacing with your pets? Let us know in the comments below!<\/em><\/p>\n Thumbnail: Photo courtesy of Melissa Kauffman<\/em><\/p>\n Stephanie Osmanski is a freelance writer and social media consultant who specializes in health and wellness content. Her words have appeared in Seventeen, Whole Dog Journal, Parents Magazine and more. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at Stony Brook Southampton and writing a memoir. She lives in New York with her Pomsky, Koda, who is an emotional support animal training to be a certified therapy dog.<\/em><\/p>\n The post Dog Pacing \u2013 Why It Happens and How to Help Your Pacing Dog<\/a> by Stephanie Osmanski<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n The post Dog Pacing \u2013 Why It Happens and How to Help Your Pacing Dog<\/a> by Stephanie Osmanski<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n Just how pacing in humans is often associated with restlessness or anxiety, dogs might begin pacing if feeling anxious or experiencing stress. In most cases, dog pacing is not a serious health issue \u2014 rather, merely a behavioral response to general nervousness or anxiety.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen a dog paces they are usually walking back and forth from one spot to another,\u201d says Dr. Sara Ochoa, DVM.\u00a0\u201cSometimes they will just be walking around the house without a destination in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n Dogs might pace while waiting for someone or something \u2014 like for a family member to come home or waiting for mealtime. Some dogs pace for awhile with a high-value toy or treat in their mouth and may even whine. Because dog pacing isn\u2019t technically a medical issue, \u201ctreatment\u201d is all about helping your dog feel more comfortable. The more comfortable a dog is, the less likely he is to feel anxious. If the anxiety is targeted and treated, then the dog might stop pacing.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is easy to identify a\u00a0dog\u00a0who has a\u00a0pacing\u00a0problem. A\u00a0dog\u00a0is\u00a0pacing\u00a0when she is walking back and forth in a repetitive pattern,\u201d says Amanda Gagnon, certified professional dog trainer<\/a> and graduate researcher of anthrozoology at Canisius College. \u201cWhen\u00a0pacing\u00a0occurs for a short period of time, it is nothing to worry about. However, if a\u00a0dog\u00a0paces\u00a0for an extended length of time or cannot be deterred from the activity, it may be time to call a professional\u00a0dog\u00a0trainer.\u201d<\/p>\n Some kinds of pacing are considered normal and most can be treated with the help of a training specialist, who can provide easy solutions to distract the dog and discourage pacing.<\/p>\n \u201cNormal dog pacing is usually caused by excitement, the need for attention or an alert to something unusual in the environment,\u201d says Kristen Papile-Kranjc, CMDT, of Long Island Canine Class. \u201cThis type of pacing can be addressed by a dog trainer or behavioral specialist. Distraction techniques such as giving the dog a high-value toy or bone that he doesn\u2019t see often to keep him busy, playing with your dog or taking him out for a walk are some simple solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Dr. Ochoa, pacing in dogs is generally caused by stress or anxiety. However, sources of anxiety and stress could be a variety of things: trips to the vet, waiting for someone or something to happen, having to pee or poop, or general restlessness.<\/p>\n \u201cMost dogs will pace at home or at the vet clinic,\u201d Dr. Ochoa explains. \u201cAt home, they may pace back and forth near the front door waiting for a family member to come home. They may pace near the back door when they need to go out and potty.\u201d<\/p>\n The vet\u2019s office is often a source of stress for dogs \u2014 you know, shots and other weird instruments, and whatnot. This can cause some stressed dogs to respond by pacing.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the veterinary clinic, dogs will pace when they want to go home,\u201d Dr. Ochoa adds. \u201cI see dogs who do not like to be at the vet. They will pace back and forth in the exam room or the waiting room the whole time they are there.\u201d<\/p>\n The older the dog, the more likely they are to develop pacing behaviors. In older dogs, pacing could be a sign of dementia.<\/p>\n \u201cAs some dogs age, they start pacing around the house and act more stressed due to them not always knowing where they are,\u201d Dr. Ochoa adds. \u201cWe do see signs similar to dementia in dogs and as they age, they will begin to pace more.\u201d<\/p>\n Pacing can also be an early sign of some medical issues that require immediate treatment. According to Dr. Jason Nicholas, author of 101 Essential Tips: Dog Health & Safety<\/em>, pacing can indicate a bloating issue.<\/p>\n \u201cIf your dog\u2019s stomach is bloated, or if they\u2019re anxious, pacing, or repeatedly trying to vomit with no luck, they are likely suffering from Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (GDV) \u2013 also known as dog bloat,\u201d Dr. Nicholas explains. \u201cDogs affected by bloat will have a difficult time getting comfortable and lying down. Pacing and restless is often one of the most obvious and early signs, so pay attention to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Dogs can pace for a variety of other reasons, too; stress, anxiety, and bloat aren\u2019t the only causes.<\/p>\n \u201cDogs will also pace because they are bored or carry excessive energy,\u201d says Gagnon. \u201cLess common reasons for pacing are mating behaviors, attention-seeking behaviors and medical issues. Humans can often determine whether a trip to the vet is needed by attending to other accompanying symptoms such as lethargy, mood changes and loss of appetite.\u201d<\/p>\n Pinpointing the cause of your dog\u2019s pacing is important to helping your pet. If your dog is carrying excess energy or suffering from boredom, Gagnon says it\u2019s an easy fix.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is easily fixed by adding exercise and mental stimulation to the dog\u2019s daily routine,\u201d Gagnon explains.<\/p>\n Or if your dog is pacing as a way to patrol their yard, Gagnon recommends limiting their yard time.<\/p>\n \u201cSome dogs, particularly dogs who spend their day in a yard, develop a habit of pacing as a way of patrolling the boundary of their yard,\u201d Gagnon adds. \u201cThis behavior is best prevented by limiting the amount of time the dog spends along in the yard without their humans.\u201d<\/p>\n For dogs who pace because of stress and anxiety, Gagnon recommends training classes.<\/p>\n \u201cStress and anxiety often require the assistance of a professional trainer to remedy,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Other remedies for treating stress-induced pacing include showing your dog that everything\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n \u201cIf your dog is pacing because they are waiting for someone to come home, helping calm them or letting them out to play will help with the pacing at home. If it is due to aging, there are supplements that you can give your dog to help with the anxiety,\u201d says Dr. Ochoa. \u201cAt the vet clinic, you can give your pet treats and help show them that it is an okay place to be.\u201d<\/p>\n In all cases though, Dr. Ochoa says knowing your dog\u2019s pacing triggers is the biggest way to help. \u201cIf you know what causes your pet to pace, you can avoid the situations. Sometimes you cannot avoid these situations, or the pacing is due to your dog getting older. There are supplements that you can give your dog to help with anxiety and stress.\u201d<\/p>\n Because so many different factors can influence pacing in dogs, Papile-Kranjc says the best advice is knowing your dog\u2019s normal behavior. Anything unusual might warrant a visit to the veterinarian\u2019s office.<\/p>\n \u201cPacing can also be a symptom of a health issue due to a disorder, advanced age or illness,\u201d Papile-Kranjc explains. \u201cKnow your dog. Be familiar with your dog\u2019s behavior and also keep current with his veterinary care. Anything sudden or out of the ordinary to his regular behavior that is not alleviated by training or behavior modification techniques should be addressed by a veterinarian.\u201d<\/p>\n How do you address dog pacing with your pets? Let us know in the comments below!<\/em><\/p>\n Thumbnail: Photo courtesy of Melissa Kauffman<\/em><\/p>\n Stephanie Osmanski is a freelance writer and social media consultant who specializes in health and wellness content. Her words have appeared in Seventeen, Whole Dog Journal, Parents Magazine and more. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at Stony Brook Southampton and writing a memoir. She lives in New York with her Pomsky, Koda, who is an emotional support animal training to be a certified therapy dog.<\/em><\/p>\n The post Dog Pacing \u2013 Why It Happens and How to Help Your Pacing Dog<\/a> by Stephanie Osmanski<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-147","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nWhy does dog pacing happen?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to help your pacing dog<\/strong><\/h3>\n
About the author<\/a>:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Learn more about anxiety in dogs on dogster.com<\/a>:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Why does dog pacing happen?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to help your pacing dog<\/strong><\/h3>\n
About the author<\/a>:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Learn more about anxiety in dogs on dogster.com<\/a>:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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