Some dogs fear fireworks, and others get agitated whenever they meet people and pets they don’t know. Indeed, our pets, just like us, can get anxious in certain situations. And while it certainly isn’t fun to see your dog struggle with anxiety, it can also result in destructive or aggressive behaviour.
The good news is that there are different things you can do to help your furry friend feel better and behave better. Learn how to reduce your dog’s anxiety with these nine tips.
Figure out what triggers your dog’s anxiety
What does your dog do when he gets anxious? Does he shake, lick his lips, pant, or drool? Does he start barking excessively or try to run away and hide? To reduce your dog’s anxiety, you first need to figure out why he gets anxious. Find out what or who he fears, or which situations make him uncomfortable.
Once you know what triggers your dog’s anxiety, help him avoid those triggers if possible. If his triggers can’t be avoided, you could try to desensitize him slowly. However, it would help if you never forced him to face his fears head-on, as this might only generate more anxiety.
Act as normally as possible when your dog gets anxious
Be mindful of how you react to your dog’s anxiety. If you get worried or agitated, your dog will pick up on your behaviour and be convinced that he has a good reason to panic.
To help him calm down, do your best to react as normally as possible. Stay calm and tell him in a kind voice that there’s nothing to worry about or to be scared of.
Give him a lick mat
Finally, you could help reduce your dog’s anxiety by giving him a lick mat. A lick mat is made from silicone and features different textured patterns. You can obtain the supplies by visiting a pet store.
Licking the mat can distract your dog and help soothe him when he feels anxious. You can also spread dog food or treats on the mat’s grooves to slow down eating and keep your companion busy for some time.
Distract him from a training session
Whenever you notice that your dog starts getting anxious, try to distract him. A good way to do this is to have a short training session with him.
Ask him to sit down, to stay, or to lie down. He might have trouble focusing on your commands, but the training session should help him realize that you control the situation, and everything is fine.
Teach your dog how to calm down on request
To reduce your dog’s anxiety, try teaching him to settle and calm down on request. Once in a while, tell him to sit or lie down when he is playing or just walking around your home. When he obeys your command, reward him as you would for your usual training sessions.
Next time you feel like your dog is about to react to a trigger, tell him to sit or lie down. It might help him relax and reduce his anxiety.
Don’t punish your dog and yell at him
If your dog adopts destructive behaviour because of his anxiety, it’s useless to try to punish him. If you get angry and start yelling at him, your dog will get even more anxious. He might even start associating the punishment with the situation that made him anxious, making things worse.
Create a consistent routine for your dog
Dogs enjoy being able to rely on their routine. Make sure you serve him his dog food at the same time each day and that he can also predict exactly when you will take him for a walk, play with him, and go to bed. Having a consistent routine should make him less likely to get anxious.
Make sure he has a safe space where he can relax
Dogs also need a comfortable and quiet place to feel safe and secure. This safe space could be your dog’s bed, mat, or crate. Teach your dog to go to his safe space when he feels anxious and consider bringing it with you when you take him to the vet, for example.
Keep your dog busy when he’s alone
If your dog spends a lot of time alone, ensure he doesn’t get bored. This is especially important if you are working at home with a puppy. You’ll need to find a way to keep your pet occupied during office hours. By keeping him busy, you can help reduce his anxiety. Give him something to chew on or a puzzle toy to stimulate his mind. You could also hide small treats around your home, so he has to sniff them out.