Health & Wellness Training & Behavior
How to Keep Your Dog Calm in Stressful Situations (Even if They’re Often Anxious)
Lorna Paxton Ladd
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Image Source: Unsplash
As a dog owner, it’s important to know how to keep your furry friend calm during stressful situations. Offering support and addressing their fears is crucial for their mental health and well-being. In this guide, we’ll explore techniques designed to help ease your dog’s anxiety.
10 Ways to Keep Your Dog Calm in Stressful Situations
No pet owner wants to put their pup in a stressful situation, but sometimes it’s necessary. Fortunately, there are 10 ways you can keep your dog calm when they’re feeling anxious.
1. Create a Safe Space
Designate a comfortable area in your home where your dog can retreat to when feeling stressed. Soft blankets, toys, and dim or soft lighting provide a sense of security. In this space, create positive experiences such as playtime and gentle petting to establish it as a safe haven.
2. Use Calming Sounds
Gentle music or white noise can help soothe your dog’s anxiety during stressful situations. Experiment with various sounds and volumes until you find what best relaxes your furry friend. Consistency is key here, so have these sounds readily available, even when you’re traveling.
3. Try Natural Supplements
Dog-friendly supplements that include ingredients like passion flower, ginger, and thiamine can really help calm your pet. CBD-infused products, like HonestPaws CBD dog treats, can also alleviate stress in dogs but always speak to your vet before feeding anything to your pet.
4. Engage in Physical Activity
Before entering an expected stressful situation, engage your dog in physical activity to release pent-up energy and reduce anxiety levels. A brisk walk or play session can make all the difference when exposing them to new and scary experiences or unfamiliar environments.
5. Provide Distractions
Offering distractions like puzzle toys filled with treats can work wonders when keeping your dog calm during stress-inducing moments. Giving your dog a chew toy or simply playing fetch will not only redirect their focus but also create positive associations with the situation at hand.
6. Introduce Relaxation Techniques
Help put your pup at ease by implementing relaxation techniques such as gentle massages, stroking their fur softly, or even applying light pressure on specific points around their body. This touch-based approach builds trust while simultaneously soothing them rather quickly.
7. Implement Training Methods
Conditioning training methods like desensitization help to gradually expose dogs to potential anxiety triggers while maintaining safety and control over these new experiences. This makes these experiences less frightening over time through repetition and positive reinforcement.
8. Bring Comfort Items
Providing familiar comfort items, such as your dog’s favorite blanket, toy, or bed, during stressful situations can offer a sense of familiarity and security. Giving them something to snuggle up with (even if it’s you!) will help ease anxiety and create a positive association with certain places.
9. Practice Deep Breathing
Dogs often mirror our behavior, so maintaining a calm demeanor yourself can provide reassurance for your furry friend. Practice deep breathing when faced with anxiety-inducing situations to exude tranquility that will resonate with your dog as they feed off your energy.
10. Seek Professional Guidance
If your dog’s anxiety proves extremely difficult to manage, consider seeking professional guidance from a veterinarian or certified animal behaviorist. Remember, each dog’s response will vary, so be patient while you’re in the process of finding what works best for them.
In Conclusion…
Taking care of your dog’s emotional well-being is just as important as attending to their physical health. Being prepared and proactive in keeping your pet calm during stressful situations reinforces trust, strengthens the bond between you, and enhances their overall quality of life.
