We all know what makes people relax: spa days, meditation, spending time with friends. But when it comes to dogs, it’s a different story. Stress triggers for them are entirely different from those that affect us. So it can sometimes be challenging to know how to get them to calm down.
The good news, though, is that there is quite a bit that owners can do to put their pooch at ease. And because they aren’t as wracked with thoughts as people, it’s usually easier to get them to chill out.
Here are some tips to get you started.
Provide Mental Stimulation
Dogs can sometimes feel stressed if you don’t provide them with enough mental stimulation. They like resting and being quiet sometimes. But other times, they want cognitive challenges that enable them to flex their mental muscles.
Mental stimulation could take the form of exercise or training. But you can also just give them a chew toy to keep them busy or give them a puzzle to find a treat.
Do Dog Yoga
Yes, dog yoga is now a thing. The idea is to put the dog in calming poses combined with gentle massage. The overall effect is a relaxation of the parasympathetic nervous system and a happier pooch.
Invest In A Better Dog Bed
Old school dog beds did the job. But now you can buy something called a dog calming bed, specifically designed to get your pooch to relax.
These work for a couple of reasons. The first is that they have high walls. Dogs feel like they have their own castle with high defenses to keep other dogs out.
These beds are also extremely comfortable, helping to reduce pressure points. Owners use them to help their dogs recover from surgery and to relax more generally.
Change Your Attitude
Your attitude could also be impacting your dog’s stress levels.
If you’re happy and content, your dog will probably behave that way too. But if you’re stressed all the time, that will rub off on your pet, causing them to change their behavior.
Invest In Security Blankets
Dogs, like people, enjoy the sensation of weighted blankets. So, some owners invest in security blankets that help them feel more secure. You can also experiment with adding floral scents to the blanket to help reduce olfactory stimulation.
Use Natural Sedatives
Vets will sometimes prescribe owners pharmacological sedatives for their dogs. But it’s best to reserve such treatments for extreme cases where you’ve tried everything else. If your dog is prone to panic attacks (for example, while moving house or during thunderstorms) then you can try using natural sedative alternatives. These contain herbs such as cherry plum, rock rose, and Star of Bethlehem that gently adjust a dog’s internal biochemistry, eventually making them feel more relaxed.
Walk Them More
Lastly, the simplest method to reduce dog stress is to walk them more. Like people, they can develop cabin fever when trapped indoors all day, making them feel uneasy and anxious. Dogs would much rather be burning off all their energy in the park.
