Are you struggling to keep your dog calm in stressful situations? Whether it’s keeping your dog calm during fireworks, reducing stress, or controlling an overly energetic dog, we can help!
From natural solutions to calming your dog with medication, there’s a solution to suit every dog’s needs. Learn how to calm an anxious or noisy dog and create a peaceful environment for your furry friend.
Learn how professionals can help dogs be more patient and efficient, and stay safe, comfortable, and happy even when faced with adversity. Get your pup stress-free today!
3 different types of dog anxiety
Anxiety in dogs is an emotion that is often associated with their environment, history, and overall health. Knowing these signs and how to keep your dog healthy can make a big difference in your pet’s well-being.
Behaviors like excessive scratching, jumping, clawing, and even breaking toys can be signs that your dog is stressed or anxious. These cues are often misinterpreted, leading to your dog missing out on getting their needs met.
However, all dogs, regardless of their background, can get stressed from time to time. Regular exercise, interaction, activities like a slow walk or a good massage can help reduce stress. Providing a safe space, using calming tools like pheromone diffusers, or even playing music can be effective in calming them down.
Trusting and helping them is key to safety. By understanding your dog’s signals, you can both make your dog happy and help your furry friend live a happy and healthy life.
1. Generalized anxiety
According to a study by Science.org, over 70% of dogs display at least one anxiety-related behavior. Generalized anxiety is one of the most common anxiety disorders in dogs, and it often goes unnoticed—even in dogs that appear happy and healthy.
Noise sensitivity is one of the most common triggers across all dog breeds. Dogs with generalized anxiety often exhibit symptoms or tendencies that may go unnoticed at first.
Excessive barking
Trembling or shaking
Pacing back and forth
Avoiding eye contact
Clinginess or seeking constant reassurance
The cause of anxiety in dogs can differ greatly from one dog to another. Factors like your dog’s physical health, daily routine, and emotional well-being all play a role in triggering anxiety. Other common causes of anxiety include:
Lack of socialization
Past traumatic experiences
Changes in routine or environment
Separation from their owner
2. Situational anxiety
Generalized anxiety in dogs arises when they experience ongoing stress or worry. Several factors can contribute to this type of anxiety, such as:
Sudden changes in routine
Loud or unfamiliar noises
Being left alone for extended periods
Exposure to new environments or people
Many owners enjoy taking their furry friends to coffee shops, dog parks, and outdoor activities. However, these types of outings may not be good for dogs who tend to be nervous in unfamiliar places. If your dog frequently shows signs of anxiety or discomfort at certain times, they may be experiencing stress. It’s important to know these benefits to help your pet feel more comfortable.
3. Separation anxiety
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have adopted dogs and spent almost all of their time with them. These “pandemic pups” keep their humans home all day. Now that life has returned to normal, many dogs are struggling to be alone for long periods of time. This type of anxiety causes dogs to become anxious or sad when their owners are not around, leading to behaviors such as barking, growling, or destructive behavior when the dog is alone.
4 Key Signs of Dog Anxiety to Watch For
Every dog handles stress and anxiety in different ways. One dog may show no symptoms and others may exhibit many.
Here are some signs of anxiety:
1. Refusing food, treats, or water
If your dog is feeling anxious, they may refuse food or treats. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but much like humans, anxiety can lead to an upset stomach and nausea, making eating less appealing for your furry friend.
To help calm a dog down, pet owners can try:
Creating a safe and quiet space for your dog
Establishing a consistent daily routine
Using calming aids like pheromone diffusers or anxiety wraps
Symptoms of anxiety can sometimes mimic other underlying issues. Excessive barking or pacing might also indicate physical discomfort or health problems. If your dog’s anxious behavior becomes sudden or severe, consult your veterinarian to rule out any medical concerns.
2. Destroying toys, clothes, or furniture
Dogs struggling with anxiety may display disruptive behaviors when feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Examples of anxiety-driven behaviors in dogs include:
Excessive barking or howling
Digging at doors or windows
Shredding toys or bedding
Helping your dog overcome anxious behaviors requires patience and perseverance. It is important to address these behaviors early, especially if they have consequences. In some cases, long-term behavioral training or medication may be needed to help your dog become relaxed and calm.
3. Becoming aggressive or territorial
Dogs that exhibit hyperactive behavior are not always active or untrained. Often, this behavior is caused by stress. They may feel anxious or insecure about their environment and may be looking for an outlet to relieve stress. If your dog has difficulty being in stimulating situations, they may exhibit behaviors such as pacing or constant barking.
Hyperactive behaviors caused by anxiety can show up in various ways, including:
Excessive barking
Frantic running or jumping
Pacing back and forth
Inability to focus or respond to commands
Restlessness or fidgeting
Constant tail wagging or spinning
4. Storing too much pent-up energy
If your dog is overactive due to stress, regular exercise is a great way to keep your dog healthy. Activities like long walks, weightlifting, and even strength training can help burn off excess energy and relax, especially before a stressful situation.
Try to reduce your attention when your dog shows signs of distress. Dogs love interaction, and direct eye contact can reward their behavior. If your dog turns away or remains still when excited, it’s clear that you’re not encouraging their behavior.
Effective Ways to Calm a Dog Down
1. Use calming medicine for dogs
Calming aids can often help dogs cope with stress. However, every dog is unique. Some dogs may only need temporary support during times of stress, while others may benefit from long-term, consistent use.
Common calming aids for dogs include:
Pheromone diffusers (Adaptil)
Calming sprays or collars
Anxiety wraps (ThunderShirt)
Natural supplements with ingredients like L-theanine or chamomile
CBD oil (consult your veterinarian)
2. Explore natural calming products
You may think that medication is the only way to manage your dog’s anxiety, but there are many natural products, medications, and treatments that can help relieve your dog’s anxiety.
Calming Dog Food
Dog foods that contain the right ingredients (also known as nutraceuticals) are a safe and effective way to help reduce symptoms of anxiety. Here are some of the ingredients in these beauty treatments:
Cannabidiol (CBD): A chemical found in the cannabis plant, CBD can help manage anxiety, stress, and pain in dogs. It also encourages your pup to sleep soundly. It’s often used in sedation therapy to promote relaxation. It works for dogs of all sizes. Always consult your veterinarian before giving melatonin to your dog.
Passion flower is safe for dogs and is often used to reduce anxiety. It may also help with noise phobia and separation anxiety.
3. Play calming music for your dog
Like humans, dogs are affected by sounds, music, and music. Therefore, using therapeutic music or white noise to help your dog calm down and relieve stress can be effective. Soothing sounds can create a sense of peace, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.
Dogs can benefit from music therapy and calming sounds such as:
Classical music
Rain sounds
White noise
