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Great Dog Breeds For People With Anxiety

  • 27/04/2020
dog-anxiety-best.jpgFor those that struggle with anxiety or depression, adopting a new furry friend can help boost your overall mental health. Having a pet to talk to, snuggle with, and take care of can help ease your stress and loneliness.

Pets and mental health

There are a few different reasons pets help our mental health. A pet provides you with a companion, which can help prevent you from feeling isolated. Having to take care of a pet also adds structure and routine to your day, which allows you to establish positive daily habits that reduce your stress. Plus, if you have a dog that requires walks, you also add daily exercise into your routine!

A pet can help with mental health regardless of your age. For older individuals, a pet helps them stay occupied and connected to the world after retirement or after a spouse passes away. For children, a pet is a non-judgemental friend.

Deciding to adopt

Keep in mind a pet is a commitment. Regardless of whether you’re considering adopting a dog, cat, or another animal, you need to be prepared for the financial and time commitment. While there are many benefits to owning a pet, you also need to be prepared to take responsibility for aspects such as vet bills and obedience training.

If you’ve done your research and have decided that a dog is the best pet that will provide you with a mental boost, your next decision is to decide what sort of breed would work well for you and your family.

Breeds to consider

Certain breeds have a reputation for being especially beneficial for people with anxiety. Adopting a new family member from one of the following breeds might help soothe your anxiety and provide you with a much needed mental boost.

Labrador retrievers, in particular, are known for their abilities to comfort people. Labs are highly affectionate, friendly, and eager to please people. This is why you often see labs being used as therapy dogs. Labs, however, are also very active.

For those that are looking for a less active breed, bulldogs are known for having low-energy and for liking to remain near their owners.

Other breeds you might want to consider include Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Malteses, Poodles, and Bichon Frises. All of these breeds are known for being friendly, though some breeds might be more affectionate than others. Use a site such as Woof Bark Growl to help you research different breeds to determine which one would best meet your needs.

Big or small dog

While considering different breeds, make sure to think about whether a large breed or a small breed would work best for you.

The size and breed of the dog will depend on your living arrangement and your personal needs. If you live in an apartment or a small house, it might be more anxiety-producing for you to have to try and keep a large active dog from destroying your home! Or, if you’re sensitive to noise, a small dog that is prone to yapping might drive you up the wall.

Some people choose large breeds because they feel more protected by them or because they want larger cuddles. Other people choose small breeds because smaller dogs are easier to carry around and can be less expensive to care for.

Choosing the right dog

Once you’ve done your research and have an idea of what breed of dog would work best for you, it is time to go about choosing the right dog for you! Keep in mind that dogs within the same breed will still have slightly different personalities.

To find a dog with the right personalities and temperament for you, make sure to spend time with the dog or the puppy before deciding to adopt it. Whether you’re working with a breeder or with a local shelter, schedule a time to come meet the animal and spend time getting to know the animal’s distinct personality.

 

If you have other family members, such as a child or another pet, that will also be interacting with the new dog, make sure to bring them along. Some shelters might require multiple visits before you’re allowed to take the animal home.

Final thoughts

Adopting a new pet is always exciting! However, if you’re choosing to get a dog to boost your mental health, you’ll want to take your time. If you rush the process and adopt the dog prematurely, you might find that the dog heightens your anxiety instead of reduces it. Taking your time ensures a successful adoption.

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