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How can I destress my dog?

Having a stressed out dog can be concerning for any pet owner. Dogs get anxious or stressed by loud noises, separation from their owners, changes in routine, or perceived threats. A stressed dog may whine, bark excessively, pace, pant, tremble, hide, or engage in destructive behaviors. While some anxiety is normal, ongoing stress is unhealthy for dogs physically and mentally. As a dog owner, it’s important to recognize signs of stress and take steps to help your dog feel more relaxed. This article explores tips and techniques to effectively destress your canine companion.

What causes stress in dogs?

There are many potential triggers that can cause stress and anxiety in dogs. Some of the most common include:

  • Loud noises – Thunderstorms, fireworks, construction sounds
  • Separation from owners
  • Travel – Car rides, being in unfamiliar places
  • Changes in routine or environment
  • Interactions with other animals or strangers
  • Traumatic experiences – Accidents, injuries, abuse
  • Pain or illness
  • Confinement – Being left alone for long periods

Dogs have unique personalities, so specific triggers will vary between individual dogs. Paying attention to situations that seem to make your dog anxious is key to avoiding or managing those stressors.

How can I tell if my dog is stressed?

Dogs communicate stress through body language and behaviors. Signs of a stressed dog include:

  • Excessive panting
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Whining or barking
  • Aggression – Growling, snapping, biting
  • Hiding or trying to escape
  • Pacing or restlessness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control
  • Compulsive behaviors – Licking, chewing, spinning
  • Destructiveness – Digging, scratching, chewing objects

Paying close attention to your dog’s typical demeanor compared to when they seem stressed can help you identify situations that trigger anxiety. If your dog is exhibiting concerning signs of stress, consult your veterinarian.

Tips to destress your anxious dog

If your dog seems chronically stressed, here are some ways you can help them feel more relaxed:

Create a predictable routine

Dogs thrive on routine. Feed them, walk them, and play with them at consistent times each day. Give advance notice before breaks in routine by getting them used to signs like leashes, car keys or suitcases. Avoid abruptly changing schedules when possible.

Provide a safe, comfortable space

Dogs need access to places that feel like secure dens. Provide items like crates with blankets, open closets, or dog beds where they can retreat when feeling anxious. Place these spaces away from household commotion.

Use calming body wraps or garments

Special wraps or vests apply gentle, steady pressure that can have a calming effect. These work similarly to swaddling an infant. Try a thunder shirt or anxiety wrap to soothe your dog’s nerves.

Use appeasing pheromones

Synthetic pheromones mimic natural chemicals that provide reassurance and relief to dogs. Available as sprays, diffusers, and collars, these can reduce stress signals and relax anxious dogs.

Try calming supplements

Chews, treats, and foods containing calming ingredients like chamomile, L-theanine, ginger, valerian root, and hemp can relax dogs when given regularly. Consult your vet on supplementing your dog’s diet.

Provide interactive toys

Food puzzles, treat dispensing toys, and chew toys give dogs an engaging activity to focus anxious energy on. Rotate through a variety of puzzles and toys to keep their interest.

Use calming music or TV

Soothing music, nature sounds, or the low hum of television can help drown out stressful noises. Try leaving the TV or radio on for background noise when your dog is home alone.

Exercise regularly

Make sure your dog gets adequate exercise each day. Walks, play time, and training sessions can help relieve pent-up energy. Tired dogs are less prone to stress. Always match exercise to your dog’s age and health.

Train a settle command

Teaching your dog to “settle” on cue encourages them to lie down calmly. Reinforce the behavior with praise and treats. Practice during mild stressors to increase reliability.

Use management tools

For specific triggers like loud noises, you can use tools to block the stimulus. Noise-canceling dog ear muffs, covered crates, or pheromone diffusers near noisy appliances can help manage sound sensitivity.

Try anxiety relief products

Specialized shirts, collars, supplements or plug-in diffusers use gentle pressure, soothing smells or calming botanicals to ease anxiety. These offer temporary relief in stressful situations.

Consult your veterinarian

If your dog’s anxiety seems severe or long-lasting, seek advice from your vet. They may prescribe anti-anxiety medication, recommend a behavioralist, or identify health issues contributing to stress.

When to seek professional help for your anxious dog

Reaching out to professionals can be extremely beneficial for dogs with severe or ongoing anxiety. Here are some signs it may be time to seek expert assistance:

  • Stress behaviors are worsening or interfering with normal function
  • Your dog is harming themselves or property when anxious
  • Stress has persisted for over 2 weeks with no improvement
  • Your dog’s appetite or bathroom habits are significantly affected
  • Anxiety worsens despite your efforts to intervene
  • Your dog experiences panic attacks – shaking, panting, hiding
  • You’re feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or unable to help your dog

A certified applied animal behaviorist, certified dog trainer, or veterinary behaviorist can work with you to develop an effective behavior modification plan. Medications may also help dogs with severe anxiety.

Long term strategies for a less stressed dog

While quick fixes can provide temporary relief, developing healthy long term habits are key for keeping your dog’s anxiety at bay. Some proactive strategies include:

Socialization as a puppy

Dogs benefit from frequent positive exposures to new places, people, animals, and experiences from a young age. This makes them more adaptable as adults.

Obedience training

Basic commands like sit, stay, and come teach impulse control. Advanced training creates engaging mental stimulation and a dog that looks to you for guidance.

Consistent daily routine

Maintaining steady mealtime, walk time, playtime, training time, and downtime routines helps avoid unpredictability that causes stress reactions.

Meeting physical and mental needs

Dogs need adequate outlets for exercise, training, play, and bonding each day. Bored or understimulated dogs are more prone to stress behaviors. Provide enrichment activities tailored to your dog’s interests.

Limiting exposure to stressors

If specific triggers like strangers or crowded places make your dog consistently anxious, proactively limiting those interactions can help minimize reactivity over time.

Remaining calm during anxieties

How you respond to an anxious dog can impact their reactivity. Remain calm, distract with toys or treats, and avoid consoling in ways that could reinforce the behavior.

Being patient and persistent

Improving a dog’s anxiety takes time and consistency. Stick to a routine, continually reinforce desired behaviors, and celebrate small successes.

Destressing tips for dogs in specific situations

Dogs can become stressed in a variety of environments and scenarios. Here are tips tailored to a few common situations:

Home Alone

  • Provide interactive toys like food puzzles
  • Leave comforting items like worn t-shirts
  • Use calming pheromones or music
  • Keep shades open for outside views
  • Consider doggy daycare a few days a week

Car Travel

  • Use secured crates or harnesses
  • Play calming music
  • Spray carriers with pheromones
  • Give antinausea treats if prone to motion sickness
  • Consider calming supplements for long trips

Vet Visits

  • Bring favorite toys or blankets
  • Use pheromone collars or sprays
  • Ask for slow introductions and less restraint
  • Request fear-free handling techniques
  • Use tasty treats to reward cooperation

Grooming

  • Introduce slowly with positive reinforcement
  • Try calming caps to muffle sound
  • Ask groomers to work slowly and communicate
  • Praise and treat to make positive associations
  • Find a certified fear-free groomer if needed

Boarding

  • Tour facilities to verify quality care
  • Send familiar items like beds and toys
  • Request music or TV if comforting
  • Ask about individual playtime vs group
  • Choose in-home boarding for less kennel stress

Destressing tips specific to anxious dog breeds

Some breeds tend to be prone to higher anxiety. Tips tailored to these sensitive breeds can help them stay relaxed.

German Shepherd

  • Provide jobs to fulfill their active working drive
  • Use steady routines and advanced training for confidence
  • Verbal praise helps reinforce their aim to please

Labrador Retriever

  • Lots of exercise helps avoid pent-up energy
  • Soothing massages can relax their muscular bodies
  • Distractions like toys redirect obsessive tendencies

Yorkshire Terrier

  • Carry them to avoid stressing over new places and people
  • Use puppy pads for those prone to accidents from anxiety
  • Let them hide until they acclimate to new introductions

Border Collie

  • Provide intense exercise and mental stimulation daily
  • Training tricks and obstacle courses engages their agile minds
  • Stay calm and consistent when stressed to avoid reinforcing behavior

Australian Shepherd

  • Give them leadership roles like agility or search and rescue
  • Use adaptable routines to minimize stress from change
  • Allow supervised play with compatible pets

Conclusion

While all dogs have individual personalities, certain factors tend to stress most canines. Loud noise, isolation, lack of exercise, change in routine, unfamiliar places, and perceived threats are common triggers. Telltale signs like whining, hiding, panting, and destructive behaviors identify anxious dogs. Providing a consistent daily routine with mental and physical stimulation is key to keeping your dog’s stress low. When anxiety arises, tactics like pheromones, covered crates, calming treats, or background noise can provide relief. For significant ongoing stress, consult your vet and a professional dog behavior expert for help modifying problematic behaviors. With patience and persistence using proven destressing techniques, you can help your anxious pup lead a happier, healthier life.