Do Great Pyrenees have anxiety? (2023)

What dog breeds have the most anxiety?

The dog breeds that are more likely to have this problem are the German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and German Shorthaired Pointer.

Great Pyrenees are notorious for being terrified of thunderstorms, fireworks, and any (as we like to call them), angry sky noises. Not to mention, they are stubborn, opinionated—and huge.

L-theanine and L-tryptophan supplements are also commonly recommended by veterinarians to help with mild to moderate anxiety, says Dr. Coates. Zylkene, a derivative of a milk protein, can aid in calming your pet naturally. It is often used effectively in senior dogs with new, age-related anxiety.

An illness or painful condition can increase dog anxiety. A history of limited social contact, neglect, and confinement may cause both fear based and separation anxiety. This can also occur in dogs that have spent time in a shelter. Some dogs will experience General Anxiety, and some breeds are more prone than others.

If you're looking for dog breeds with low separation anxiety, consider the traditional Greyhound, Basset hound, French bulldog or Maltese. While there are no dogs without separation anxiety, these breeds are less likely to suffer from distress when you have to leave them alone.

Although Great Pyrenees are large, protective dogs, they are extremely sensitive. Yelling, harsh tones, and aversive treatment will greatly harm your pyr.

It is easy to expect the big, bold breeds of dogs to be unshakeable. Keep in mind, just like people have fear triggers (spiders, snakes, heights), certain situations can send your Great Pyrenees into a panic, no matter how brave they are. For dogs thunderstorms, fireworks and separation are the biggest stress inducers.

“LGDs have been bred to work their jobs independently from humans. Therefore, they do what they think is best, and they do what they want to do, when they want to do it. They are incredibly stubborn and you can't expect them to listen to your commands.”

How do you destress a dog?

#1 – Easily the number one way to reduce a dog's stress is through regular, daily exercise. Walking, playing, trips to the dog park, swimming any form of physical activity will not only reduce your dog's daily stress level, it also helps them to live a much longer and healthier life.

The most common behaviors are elimination (i.e., urination and/or bowel movements), destruction and excessive vocalization (i.e., barking, crying). Pet owners may also observe excessive panting and/or pacing. Separation anxiety is the most common specific anxiety in companion dogs.

Here are some of the most common symptoms that dogs display when experiencing anxiety attacks¹: Unusual panting. Aimless pacing. Trembling.

Create a Sanctuary Space

Some dogs get so anxious in certain situations that no amount of calming, praising, or rewarding will give them relief. “When this is the case, they need a quiet space with no stimulation where they can turn off all the input and simply unwind,” says Dr. Konecny.

Some pets can greatly benefit from treatment with prescription medication. Alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), clomipramine (Clomicalm), and amitriptyline (Elavil) are common prescription medications used to treat anxiety in dogs.

1. Golden Retriever. It's safe to say that this breed is one of the most personable around. Golden Retrievers are always eager to please and have a calm temperament, which means they will be happy to socialise with everyone – even with other pets!

For example, grey hounds, Shiba Inus, Cairn terriers, and Basenjis often bond strongly with one person, while Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, poodles, and beagles like to spread the love more equally.

The paw is his way of keeping our attention on him. We find the paw a helpful way for him to communicate with us. Not everyone likes the Pyr paw, however. You may prefer to discourage the paw, to prevent your dog from causing damage to your clothes or scratching your skin.

Why Do Great Pyrenees stare at me?

Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone.

The Great Pyrenees can survive outdoors in cold and temperate weather, but it also enjoys living indoors with its family. It is not suited for hot weather, and requires regular daily exercise to remain fit, but its needs are moderate. A walk is good enough.

Great Pyrs protect children and will likely follow them around to ensure their safety.

Great Pyrenees

With training and guidance, this large, furry breed can make a loyal and protective guard dog. They are gentle and can adapt to the dynamic of your family and home but will be cautious of guests and intruders making them the perfect companion and guard.

But there may be days when we wonder, “Why does my dog follow me everywhere?” The answer has to do with your dog's animal instinct, pack mentality, and a few other variables. Canine companions that follow their humans everywhere are often referred to as “velcro dogs” because of their desire to be attached to your side.

If it seems like your dog is barking at nothing, be assured that they are in fact barking at something. It may be out of excitement, a warning, fear, guarding, intimidation, or need for attention, but there is a reason for the barking, even if you don't understand what it is.

Focus on bonding

Bonding doesn't mean the dog is always by your side — rather you can feel the relationship you have with your dog. Take your dog on walks, trips to the store — just spend time together. Always let your pup know when you're happy. Praise is an amazing motivator when training a Great Pyrenees.

Recall, or your dog's ability to come when called, can be one of the most frustrating commands to train your Great Pyrenees or other livestock guardian dog (LGD) breed. However, it may be the most important command to teach your dogs for their safety and the safety of other animals and people.

Simply ignoring a dog's stress in a misguided attempt to change behavior is counter-intuitive to most owners who love their dogs – as it should be. Not only does comfort not reinforce fear, we have evidence that our dogs benefit from our comfort and support by showing reductions in stress and anxiety.

How long does anxiety last in a dog?

The minimum treatment for anxiety in dogs usually averages 4-6 months but can take years in some cases. Medication therapy may help alleviate your dog's response to triggers and can assist in learning new behaviors.

Expect to spend around two months working with your dog to alleviate his separation anxiety. Taking it slowly during the early stages–getting your dog comfortable at the moment of your departure–will allow the later stages of lengthening your time away to much more quickly.

Studies Show Nervous Owners Tend to Have Nervous Dogs

The most consistent findings, however, focus on the factor usually labeled “neuroticism.” People who score high on this factor often experience negative emotions such as fear, guilt, anxiety, and stress.