Learning how to calm an anxious dog is essential, as our canine companions can experience anxiety that manifests in many ways: excessive barking, destructive behavior, trembling, hiding, over-grooming, and even aggression. As a devoted pet parent, seeing your furry friend in distress can be heartbreaking. The good news is that there are numerous effective techniques to reduce your dog’s anxiety and improve its quality of life.
What is Canine Anxiety?
Before you can jump in to calm an anxious dog, it’s essential to spend some time understanding what may be causing your dog’s anxiety. Dogs, like their humans, can experience various types of anxiety:
Separation anxiety occurs when your dog becomes distressed when left alone. Separation anxiety is a common form of canine anxiety, affecting between 14% and 20% of dogs, and can lead to destructive behaviors, excessive barking (cue angry messages from the neighbors), or inappropriate elimination when the owner is away.
Situational anxiety refers to stress caused by a particular event, such as a thunderstorm, a car ride, or fireworks. Unfamiliar sounds, smells, and experiences can overwhelm your dog, activating its fight-or-flight response.
Social anxiety involves fear or discomfort around other dogs or even humans. This type of anxiety in dogs is often caused by inadequate socialization during their first few months of life or from negative past experiences.
Are There Physical Techniques for Calming an Anxious Dog?
The Gentle Touch: Massage
Gentle touch and massage can significantly reduce stress hormones and help calm an anxious dog. Using gentle, circular motions along your dog’s back, shoulders, and neck mimics the comforting grooming behaviors dogs naturally provide to each other.
The Tellington Touch (TTouch) method uses specific circular hand movements on different parts of your dog’s body. This technique helps reduce heart rate and promote relaxation in anxious animals by activating the parasympathetic nervous system – the body’s natural calming mechanism.
Pressure Therapy
Pressure theory is based on the idea that gentle pressure on the body has a calming effect on the nervous system, similar to how a weighted blanket provides relief to humans with anxiety.
Anxiety wraps apply gentle, constant pressure to your dog’s torso, which creates a feeling similar to being hugged or held. Research has shown that wraps can reduce heart rate and cortisol levels during events that typically induce anxiety.
You can make a DIY pressure wrap if you don’t have access to a commercial anxiety wrap. You can create a temporary solution using an elastic bandage or a snug-fitting T-shirt. Wrap it around your dog’s chest, ensuring it fits snugly but isn’t so tight that it restricts movement or breathing.
How To Manage the Environment of an Anxious Dog
Create a safe space
When feeling threatened, dogs instinctively seek out secure, enclosed spaces. By creating such a safe space for your dog, you can offer it a retreat when it is feeling anxious.
This area may be as simple as a crate covered with a blanket, a quiet room with familiar bedding, or even just a corner of a room where their favorite toys are. The key is consistency—your dog should know that that specific area is theirs and can always retreat there when they feel overwhelmed or threatened.
Sensory Calming
Sound therapy: White noise or special canine playlists of relaxation music can help mask frightening sounds or create a soothing auditory environment. Classical music, particularly pieces with a tempo of 50-60 beats per minute, has been shown to reduce anxiety in dogs.
Pheromone products: Mother dogs typically produce soothing hormones to soothe their puppies. Synthetic versions of these hormones can relieve anxious dogs and can be used in sprays, diffusers, or collars.
Calming scents: Natural scents like lavender and chamomile have been shown to calm dogs. Essential oils of lavender and chamomile can be used in a diffuser placed out of reach of your dog to infuse the air with these calming scents. Be sure that the space has proper ventilation, and never apply essential oils directly to your dog.
Can Behavioral Approaches Help an Anxious Dog?
Desensitization and Counterconditioning
Evidence exists to show that gradually exposing your dog to their anxiety trigger at low intensity while pairing it with something pleasant can, over time, rewire their brain to form positive associations instead of fearful ones.
If your dog fears thunderstorms, you might play recorded thunder sounds at a low volume while engaging in a fun game with your dog. Gradually, as your dog becomes comfortable, you can increase the volume. The trick is to always ensure that the experience remains pleasant for your dog.
Training and Structure
Obedience training provides mental stimulation for dogs and builds confidence in anxious dogs, giving them a sense of predictability and control. Simple commands like ‘sit, ‘stay, and ‘down’ can serve as calming cues during stressful situations.
Routine and consistency are particularly important for anxious dogs. Regular feeding times, walks, play sessions, and sleep schedules can help create a predictable framework for daily life that reduces anxiety.
Nutritional Supplements may assist in reducing canine anxiety:
- L-theanine is an amino acid commonly found in green tea. It helps promote relaxation with sedation.
- L-tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, which is known as the ‘feel good’ neurotransmitter that regulates mood and anxiety.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are known to improve overall brain health and have been shown to reduce anxiety in both humans and animals.
- Probiotics support gut health, which is increasingly linked to mental well-being.
Always consult your veterinarian before starting any supplements. They can advise on the appropriate dosages and any potential interactions with other medications.
When To Seek Professional Help for an Anxious Dog
While many of the techniques we’ve mentioned here may be effective for mild to moderate cases of canine anxiety, more severe anxiety may require professional intervention. If your dog’s anxiety is severe or getting worse over time, you may want to consult a veterinarian. Similarly, if your home interventions show no effect after several weeks, or if your dog is displaying aggressive behavior when anxious, you may need to call a veterinarian.
Final Thoughts on How to Calm an Anxious Dog
When you’re trying to calm an anxious dog, you’ll need plenty of patience, consistency, and a multi-pronged approach. Tackling your dog’s anxiety using a combination of environmental management, behavioral techniques, and appropriate supplements when needed can significantly improve its emotional well-being.
Remember that each dog is unique, and what may work for one may not work for another. Be prepared to experiment a little with different combinations of techniques. With time and dedication, you can calm your anxious dog and help them live with greater confidence and calmness.
