Anxiety disorders are not exclusive to humans; canines can also suffer from the effects of this mental affliction, particularly if they were abandoned at an early age or were subject to an environment that didn’t provide effective nurturing.
Discover the best relaxation tips to soothe an anxious dog and how you give them the best chance at a happy and balanced life.
First: What Is Dog Anxiety?
Dog anxiety has several similarities with human anxiety; it is the anticipation of real or imagined dangers that can cause a dog to engage in harmful behaviors.
There are three common types of dog anxiety. The first is fear-related and can be caused by strangers, loud noises, new environments, or several other external stimuli. The second is age-related anxiety, which often comes into play during a dog’s senior years and may be linked to cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
The third is separation anxiety, experienced by an estimated one in six dogs, most likely triggered by abandonment, isolation, or lack of appropriate care. Common signs of anxiety in your dog include:
- Shaking or trembling
- Excessive barking, howling, or whining
- Tail tucked between their legs
- Drooling or panting excessively
- Obsessive pacing
- Scratching or clawing
- Toileting in inappropriate places
If you spot any of these signs in your dog, you should check in with your vet. In the meantime, here are some relaxation tips to soothe your anxious pup.
1. Offer Your Dog Plenty of Exercise
Exercise provides three main benefits for anxious dogs: it keeps them healthy, expends excess energy, and allows them to have quality time with you.
A healthy body and mind are intrinsically linked; if one falls out of balance, it’s easy for the other to follow. Ensuring that your dog is physically fit and healthy can help to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. In addition, if your dog carries a lot of nervous energy, having a run around outside is the perfect method for alleviating stress.
Dogs who’ve been abandoned may be particularly prone to separation anxiety. In an ideal world, they’d love to stay by your side 24/7, but that’s not practical (or healthy). By engaging in regular exercise and play sessions, you can spend quality time with your dog and show them that you love them.
As they build a loving connection with you, it can help them become more settled and alleviate anxiety symptoms.
2. Engage in Physical Contact
Another way to bond with your dog, soothe them, and let them know how much you love them is through physical contact.
Picking your dog up, stroking them, and giving them cuddles is a great way to soothe their minds and create a feeling of relaxation. This also helps you to deepen the bond with your canine and help them to understand that you care for them.
You can also achieve this through massage. If you’ve ever experienced a good massage, you’ll know how peaceful it leaves you feeling, and you can do the same for your dog. Anxiety often causes dogs (and humans) to tense specific muscles, so working those points can help to alleviate the stress.
Start at your dog’s neck and slowly work your way down their body moving your hand in gentle but firm circles. Over time, you may discover the areas where your dog holds stress, allowing you to focus on them for a better sense of relaxation.
3. Remove Triggers and Create a Safe Space
If you’ve noticed that your dog’s anxiety appears or increases in certain circumstances, try to remove the triggering object. This is not always possible – sometimes it’s another family member or a friend – but certain circumstances can be avoided.
For example, if your dog gets anxious when surrounded by other dogs, try skipping your visit to the dog park each evening and opt for a quiet stroll by yourselves instead.
When you can’t remove the triggers, there are still things you can do to help soothe your pup. Provide them with a sanctuary or quiet place which is just for them. Let them know that they can retreat there any time they need to.
Ideally, their sanctuary should be in a quiet area of the house where they can get some privacy from humans and other pets. It should also be free of too many stimulating objects, so they have time to switch off their sensory inputs and unwind.
Keep their sanctuary simple and comfortable, provide blankets and pillows to curl up into, and a place where they can hide if they want to escape for a while.
4. Provide Stimulating Forms of Enrichment
Sometimes, dogs engage in anxiety-related behaviors, such as pacing or clawing, because they’re bored and lack appropriate stimulation.
Chew toys can offer several textures and sounds for your pet to enjoy, while puzzle toys provide mental stimulation and a healthy form of enrichment. These toys can help distract your pet from their worries and affirm that you love and care for them.
Toys can also be used to help promote good behavior. For example, if your dog is starting to relieve themselves in odd places, reward them with their favorite toy each time they go in the correct place, so they know they’ve done something good.
5. Play Smoothing Music, Like Classical Tunes
Music therapy provides relaxation to dogs, cats, and humans alike. This can be an effective way to soothe your pet, especially when they are home alone. Music can also help to block out noises that scare your dog, such as street noises.
Research has demonstrated that many dogs prefer classical music; still, you can experiment with different sounds to see which your dog likes the best. There are even dog-specific YouTube channels with playlists intended to soothe your pup.
