How To Calm An Anxious Dog

 

Estimated Read Time: 6 minutes

Summary: Just like humans, dogs can experience anxiety and nervousness which can be distressing for pet and pet parent. In this blog, we explore a few ways of calming an anxious dog that may help ease their stress...

 

Just like us humans, our four-legged friends feel and react to emotions, too - including anxiety and stress!

It isn’t nice seeing your dog get worked up when they’re feeling nervous or anxious, so it’s good to know how to help support your pooch through tough patches of anxiety and panic. As their caregiver, you need to give them an extra helping paw when they need it.

It is good to know the signs that your pup is going through an anxious time, too. Not all dogs will shake, pant and whimper when feeling stressed…some may act aggressively or bark more than usual!

Negative emotions can cause negative behaviours, which can become quite distressing for both you and your dog.

Each dog is different, and their stresses can be caused by a whole variety of reasons. Be it that they feel nervous when you’re gone due to separation anxiety, loud noises like fireworks, a trip to the vet or meeting new people, it’s great to have a few tips under your belt calming an anxious dog and help keep them calm, happy and relaxed.

Here at PetLab Co., we have put together a list of things you can do as a doggy owner to help your pup when they're feeling a little vulnerable…

Provide A Safe Place

When calming an anxious dog, making sure your fluffy friend feels safe is key! The safer they feel, the less anxious they will be… Simple! Creating a safe space for them could be the answer to all your pooch's problems when it comes to coping with anxiety.

If you have space, you could even create their own little den where they can take themselves away to calm down. Giving your dog the time and space to help themselves relax is very important. Some dogs, when stressed, may need some time alone and that is okay. If you know your dog well, it's a lot easier to know how to help them.

Some of us may have a dog that needs you near them to calm down and unwind. Make yourself available to them when they need you! Cuddling up together under a blanket may sound silly, but that physical comfort from you could really help reduce your pooches stress and anxiety!

PetLab Co. Pro Tip: When your pooch is feeling stressed, try to stay as positive as you can around them. The calmer you are, the calmer they will feel. Remember dogs are incredibly intuitive when it comes to emotions and will pick up your own anxieties if you show them during stressful periods!

Reduce Noise

If your furry companion’s anxiety is induced by noise, a safe place that is separate and away from the noise is key. A lot of our dogs may struggle when it comes to sudden loud crashes and bags – like fireworks! When calming an anxious dog, the best thing to do is try and keep the sound out.

Now, this may seem contradictory, but sometimes fighting the sound of the fireworks with a louder, more constant noise could help. Why not pop a bit of soothing music on or turn the television up loud? If your dog can’t hear the sporadic crashes and bangs from the outside world, it may help reduce their anxiety.

Use Calming Supplements

There are many natural ways to reduce and calm anxiety in dogs, from dietary changes to a soothing massage. One of the easiest ways of calming an anxious dog is through natural supplementation.

Similar to how chamomile works to calm us humans, specific natural doggy calming aids can help here too! Look for supplements that have been expertly formulated to help dogs feel calm, comfortable and relaxed using all-natural ingredients from a reputable brand.

Provide The Right Amount Of Exercise

When your pooch is feeling anxious, it can create a lot of energy inside their bodies they can’t always control! With all that energy and nowhere to direct it, this can cause your dog’s behaviour to change… And, not for the better!

Luckily, just like us humans, exercise can relieve stress and tension for our dogs, too! When you know your dog is about to have a stressful episode or if you’ve noticed they’re in one, try and take them for a good walk or throw a ball in the yard for them to chase.

PetLab Co. Pro Tip: If your dog’s anxiety is a result of fireworks or busy places with new people, taking them out for a walk wouldn’t be the best idea to reduce their stress. There are lots of ways you can keep your dog active in the comfort of your own home.

Keep Them Occupied With Play & Toys

When calming an anxious dog, keeping your pup occupied with a toy could be the answer! Depending on the triggers that cause your dog’s anxiety, making sure your dog is focused on something else may help reduce their tension and stress.

As dogs can become destructive when stressed, this distraction will help the both of you during this anxious time. Have a few games of Tug-Of-War together or engage in a gentle play fight… Anything, to keep your dog’s attention away from the stressor.

You could also try giving them a good chew toy to occupy their jaws? This will not only keep them distracted, but it can also release positive emotions in your dog, helping change their mood and emotional state.

Our Final Thoughts On How To Calm Down A Dog With Anxiety…

Living with an anxious dog can come with its difficulties, especially if you’re not sure what is causing their stress. It is very important to make sure that you get to know your dog inside and out, as it will help you support them and their emotional needs! The stronger the relationship between you and your fluffy companion, the easier you'll be able to recognise changes in their behaviour and know what to do!

So, when calming an anxious dog, try these helpful tips when you next find that them exhibiting signs of stress and tension. They will hopefully help your pooch feel more comfortable and relaxing during stressful situations.

Sources

Author Stock, Matthew "Dogs Can Read Human Emotions" Reuters, Feb 16. 2016 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dogs-emotions/dogs-can-read-human-emotions-idUSKCN0VP1DH