My 11-month-old pitbull has anxiety and stress all the time. I make sure he is not under-exercised every day but even so he tears up my bed sheets by digging and paces in my apartment. Anyone have experience with an anxious dog and what they've done to help alleviate their stress?
I hope this linked article may help you. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/...
Doggy anxiety is common, you're not alone. I would try to find a doggie friend at a park so your pup becomes more social and ultimately less anxious.
Adding a den-like area, such as a crate with a blanket draped over it, and giving your dog lots and lots of exercise and mental stimulation will really help. Invest in some puzzle toys, like Kongs and treat dispensing balls, and use those to help keep your dog's mind occupied. Make some extra trips to the dog park where your pup can run around with other dogs and get lots of fun and exercise. Teach him to play fetch and let him run out all that anxious energy.
Make your dog do nose work! Wrap his favorite treats with like a paper and hide them in the room, under his bed, blankets, anywhere safe. Dog releases stress using their nose and tearing up the paper wrapper is more funner instead of your bed sheet. He gonna be happy, feel confidence and achievement.
My dog has a lot of anxiety and I have used many different techniques to try to deal with it. When he is having more intensive anxiety, I make that we follow a specific routine with a longer walk before I leave for the day. I also changed him from a plastic crate to a wire one which made a lot of difference. I also increased how much work we do ex. heeling while walking and sitting at every intersection. This is more mentally challenging for him and provides a distraction from things that are bothering him. He now is very comfortable and doesn't show the same signs of anxiety that he was. I have spent a lot of time training him and working to desensitize him to specific things that trigger his anxiety. I have also used the calming pheromone collars which I thought made some difference but didn't fix it all.
For more situational anxiety, I alternate between using a DIY thundershirt http://k9ofmine.com/diy-thundershirt/ (primarily for thunderstorms and fireworks) and benadryl. There are multiple anxiety meds that you can talk to your vet about if you think the anxiety poses health risks for your dog.
My dog is 4 and I still crate him when I'm not home due to anxiety. He is fine in his crate but does the same as your dog when he's left out of it. I worked with him a lot as a puppy to make his crate his safe space.
It sounds like you are doing everything you can. Some dogs have more anxiety just like people. There are some calming supplements that are better than Benadryl that I have use. The top one being Quiet Moments for me. It can be gives as needed and is all natural. It has Passion Flower, Melatonin, chamomile and a few others.
Your dog sounds bored. More playtime, get another dog to play with, for anxiety leave a special item of clothing with pitbull, and talk to her/him! Calm and consistent.