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Like we humans, even dogs suffer from anxiety due to various reasons.
There may be many emotional reasons behind your dog’s anxiety – such as not obtaining proper attention, loud noises causing continuous distraction, being left alone at home, etc.
Dogs seek your attention and try to communicate with you through vocalization. However, if your dog is more aggressive while barking, whining, howling, and whimpering – and if these behaviors are excessive – that indicates that your dog is stressed.
Stress is a critical behavioral issue and needs immediate attention and remedies. You should recognize behavioral changes among your dogs and identify well when your furry pal feels stressed. If untreated, the emotional balance of your dog may continue to go downhill and needs to be checked and steps taken.
This article takes you through the 10 most effective ways to relieve your dog’s stress, also we have discussed a few common signs if your best companion is stressed. Concerned pet parents like you can take advantage of these proven methods to minimize stress among your most trustworthy furry friends.
1. Your Attention and Affection Matter
Dogs seek attention through various mischievous and sometimes weird behaviors – wagging their tails, jumping on you, sniffing your hands, etc.
Most dogs are amiable, and they love your company. Your love, care, and attention play their role in preventing and minimizing your dog’s stress.
Ensure you reserve a sufficient amount of quality time for your dogs. And remember, your dogs continue your emotions and behavior – so stay calm and emotionally balanced when you are around them.2.Training & Exercise Schedule
You can effectively minimize your dog’s stress by engaging it in regular exercise and training. A tired dog is more subject to stress.
Let them exhaust their energy through some games, obstacle courses, and indoor and outdoor activities.
Seek the help of a professional dog trainer to design and execute a training schedule for your dog at the right age. Physical activities keep your dog healthy and emotionally stable.
2. Encourage Playfulness
If you find your dog lying down on the ground all day long – it may be the time to act. Try to keep your dogs playful. Meet and greet them energetically. Let them follow your passionate instinct.
However, ensure no underlying medical conditions causing lethargy and emotional instability among your dogs.
Keep your dogs under your supervision and discuss every abnormal behavioral change with your vet during your vet visits for checkups.
3. Let it Take its Time to Calm Down
If you notice adverse behavioral changes in your dog due to some triggers, it will be essential to provide an isolated, calm place to let it calm down.
You can also try specially designed dog crates with sound insulation, dimmed lights, and a sensor-enabled fan that starts as your dog enters the crate for effective isolation. Let your dog take its time to calm down and relieve its stress.
4. A Massage Can Create Magic
A gentle massage can help relieve your dog’s stress. Initially, you need to make your dog comfortable through a low-toned voice and let it relax a bit. Start massaging through your dog’s neck, then proceed to its shoulders, chest, legs, and back in a circular motion.
You can go through this detailed post for more insights on dog massaging techniques.
5. Desensitization: Avoiding Triggers
As you notice behavioral changes in your dog due to some ‘triggers,’ start avoiding them. For instance, if you see your dog is stressed due to other canines, avoid taking it to the dog park.
Avoid organizing get-togethers at home if your dog feels uncomfortable amid unknown people. Try to fix a doggy date by coordinating with another dog owner to introduce another dog.
Similarly, invite a couple of pet-savvy friends at home – so that your dog gains trust and starts interacting with strangers.
6. Music Therapy for Stress Relief
Calm and soothing music can help your dog to relieve its stress. Create a quiet atmosphere by putting on dimmed lights and playing some classical music to let your dog feel relaxed and calm.
You can try music therapy while traveling with your furry pal in a car. It can relax your dog when you are away from home. Similarly, calm and soothing music can be the best way to alleviate triggers like noise from the street.
7. Boost Its Mood with Aroma
The fragrance of essential oils targets the brain’s limbic system. This system regulates the emotions of dogs. You can use essential oils therapeutically to relieve stress. Aromatherapy can also help dogs reduce similar sentiments, like anger and anxiety.
You can make the dog inhale the fragrance through its nose or let the essential oil absorb after topical application.
8. Combine Aroma with Sound
You get innovatively designed gadgets, like ThunderCloud, that calm your dogs by combining soothing music with aroma.
The gadget allows you to play different musical loops, like relaxing waves lapping at the shore. At the same time, you can choose the fragrances derived from essential oils – like lavender and geranium.
9. Calming Outfits
Calming outfits like coats and t-shirts can be wrapped around the dog’s body – to apply mild yet constant pressure on your dog’s torso. If your dog is emotionally attached to you, try wrapping your towel or cloth with your scent.
This method can relieve a dog’s stress or anxiety due to long traveling, noise, and separation. Calming t-shirts and coats bring your dogs at ease and retain the state for a long time.
We have created an infographic to summarize the stress-relieving methods for dogs. We hope that the infographic will help you understand the techniques quickly and help you implement these methods effectively.
The Takeaway
The article and infographic take you through the 10 practical ways to relieve your dog’s stress. Adopt these methods to take better care of your stressed dog. However, if the problem persists for a long time, find a pet behaviorist in your area using GreatVet and schedule an appointment for your dog.
