Wondering how you can calm an anxious dog? Anxiety is a common problem that dogs experience, but with a little effort on the part of the owner, it can be treated. Here are four great techniques that help you soothe and calm any dog with anxiety.
1. Teach Good Behaviors
Signs of anxiety in dogs can take several forms, from excessive biting, barking, chewing and many other unwanted behaviors. Barking in particular is a sure sign of distress, and constant barking illustrates a long-term anxiety issue. Many owners think that shouting at a dog will curb the problem, but it usually serves to make it worse. Luckily, you can reduce these negative behaviors by using an ultrasonic training device. These devices use auditory signals that dogs learn to associate with certain behaviors. Once your pet has learned to associate the sound from the training device with instances of barking, your occurrences of barking will be reduced, as well as the anxiety that goes along with it.
2. Provide Physical Contact
Nothing calms an anxious dog quite like receiving affection. An owner’s voice and touch are often soothing to dogs. Whenever you notice your dog exhibiting signs of stress, take a moment to pick up your dog and spend a moment cuddling on the couch. A few minutes of special attention goes a long way in reassuring your pet that the situation is under control and that there’s nothing to fear.
3. Use a Calming Coat
Did you know that there are special clothes that dogs can wear to treat anxiety? It may sound crazy but putting your dog in a calming coat actually serves to reduce any type of anxiety, including stress brought about by separation, noise, travel and several other causes. When your dog wears her calming coat, it provides constant pressure to her torso, similar to the feeling a baby gets when swaddled. Putting your dog in a calming coat is a great way to give your dog a “hug,” even when you’re not at home.
4. Try CBD
A trend that’s taken off in recent years is the use of CBD for calming dogs. Like humans, dogs have an endocannabinoid system that responds to CBD-based products. CBD calms your dog from the inside out, affecting nerve receptors within your pet’s brain. These nerve receptors send signals throughout the body of the animal, and the combined effect is that of an overall emotional well-being.
There are many ways to incorporate CBD into your dog’s daily life. The easiest and most efficient way to give your dog CBD is to lift the lip and squirt CBD oil onto the gums, providing the fastest and most effective absorption. Another option is to feed your dog a specially formulated CBD chew, look at it as a form of daily vitamin. As with anything your pet ingests, quality is important. Only choose products that contain high-quality help and avoid products that contain unnatural flavorings or artificial colors.
It’s only natural to be concerned when your dog exhibits any signs of distress. Follow these tips and you’ll reduce your pet’s anxiety, leading to a healthier and happier life.
Thanks for sharing so useful tips,
I did not know that CBD can be used on pets, I will try it!
Are there side effects when using CBD oil for my dog?
Hey, thanks a lot! What causes dog anxiety?
All great tips! CBD especially could be very effective as it is natural and no chemicals involved. Another natural and holistic way to calm your anxious pet could be through essential oils.