Don’t let your dog stay anxious for too long. You can help your canine friend to get back to its energetic and happy self by following the ways to calm a dog with anxiety, which I will be discussing in this article. If you want to see your dog excitedly wagging its tail again, here are some of the easy ways you can try.
Signs That Your Dog Has Anxiety
Mostly, you can quickly tell if your dog is anxious or not. But there are times when it takes extra time, effort, and patience to do so. Here are some of the common signs of dog anxiety that can help you to determine if your pup is anxious. See if your dog show some of these signs so you can help to treat it.
- Barking or crying to get your attention.
- Destructive behavior such as chewing of furniture
- Excessive licking
- Pacing and restlessness
- Aggression
- Loss of appetite and refusal to eat
- Excessive panting
- Shaking or trembling
Ways To Calm Your Dog
Reevaluate Your Routine
Before purchasing any product that claims to soothe stress for dogs, consider helping him to feel calm. According to a veterinarian, pet owners must do something different to improve and support in managing the anxiety of their dogs.
For example, owners must provide a predictable daily routine for their dogs that can help the pups to expect when he will get to much his meal, go out, and spend time having fun and play. It helps to make dogs feel less nervous and more confident, especially when the root cause of his stress is separation anxiety.
Particular dog breeds have worst separation anxiety, and it is something that you must also watch out. If your dog is one of the following kinds, make sure to give your pup more time and attention as much as possible.
- Labrador retriever
- Border collie
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- Jack Russell Terrier
- German shepherd
- Australian shepherd
- Bichon Frise
- Vizsla
- German shorthaired pointer
- Toy Poodle
Use A Compression Wrap
Compression or anxiety wraps can help to calm your dog when it is feeling anxious. This device works by distributing pressure over the sides and back of the dog’s chest that feels like a hug. According to science, gentle pressure can release endorphins or chemicals that can encourage a feeling of well-being. It is also the reason behind the calming effect of gentle petting for dogs.
Play Music
Most dogs get scared and anxious when there’s heavy rain that comes along with the loud sound of thunder. Aside from that, they may also feel nervous when they hear noises from outside. To calm your dog’s anxiety during these situations, you can use music as one of the best options you can try. Soft rock and reggae are the most relaxing type of music for dogs. Classical music can also ease the stress of your dog in stressful situations.
You can also find music that is composed explicitly for dogs for generally anxious dogs. Always keep a playlist of relaxing dog music to keep your dog calm and happy every day.
Give Your Dog A Massage
Massage can relieve tension and pain, and it can also reduce stress not only for humans but also for dogs. You can try the following dog massage to ease dog anxiety:
- Petrissage – Twisting and kneading the skin and tissue to remove adhesions. Afterward, massage the underlying muscles that lie beneath the surface.
- Effleurage – Long, continuous strokes at the beginning and end of every dog massage sessions. This type of massage helps to warm up the body tissues.
- Compression – You can apply this massage in a pumping motion to ease the fibrous tissues that lie underneath. It also increases circulation and relieves muscle spasms.
To relieve the stress of your anxious dog, gently stroking the back of its head is one of the most effective ways you can try. But make sure to do it slowly to emphasize that you are doing it to calm him.
Ask A Professional For Help
When you did everything you know to help with the anxiety of your dog, and still you’re your pup doesn’t show any improvement, ask the help of a professional. Veterinarians can help you to determine the root cause of your dog’s anxiety, which can allow you to provide the right treatment for your pet.
A veterinary behaviorist can suggest a specific plan that can help to change what causes the emotional response of your dog. This way, your pup can go back to its happy and energetic self.
Is It Okay To Give Benadryl To Dogs?
While vets utilize Benadryl for dogs frequently to treat travel anxiety, allergies, and motion sickness, pet owners must not give it to their dogs without the supervision of professionals. Benadryl can impose a different effect on dogs, so ask your veterinarian first if it is safe for your dog to take this medication.
Conclusion
As a quick recap, dogs can also feel stressed, nervous, and lonely. During these times, they need someone who can understand what they think, someone who can help them. Learning the ways to ease dog anxiety is essential, especially for owners who own pups with worst separation anxiety. When you observe that your dog shows signs of being anxious, apply some of the ways I have discussed earlier to make him feel calm.
