Dogs are loving, loyal and wonderful companions to have as pets, but sometimes they can be a handful. They can become restless, anxious, or even aggressive, and this can be very distressing for owners.
Fortunately, there are many easy ways to calm your dog quickly. Here are some techniques that you can use to help your furry friend relax:.
1. Create a Calm Environment
Dogs are very sensitive to their environment, and a noisy, chaotic setting can exacerbate their anxiety. Therefore, it is important to create a calm, peaceful space for your dog to relax in. You can do this by:.
- Turning off the TV and other noisy devices
- Dimming the lights
- Playing relaxing music
- Using aromatherapy with essential oils such as lavender or chamomile, which have calming properties for dogs
2. Exercise Your Dog
Exercise is essential for your dog’s physical and mental health. A tired dog is a happy and calm dog. Regular exercise can help reduce stress, anxiety, and hyperactivity.
Take your dog for a walk, play fetch or engage it in other physical activities to help it burn off extra energy and feel relaxed.
3. Use Toys and Puzzles
Dogs need mental stimulation, which is why it’s important to provide them with toys and puzzles. These can keep your dog engaged for a long time and help distract it from its anxious or hyperactive behavior.
Puzzle toys or hidden food games can calm down your pet’s mind as it focuses on solving a puzzle or finding treats.
4. Practice Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement can be an effective way to calm down an anxious or hyperactive dog. Praise your dog for good behavior, give it treats, and try to reinforce the desired behavior by giving attention.
This encourages your furry friend to behave better and reduces its anxiety.
5. Use Calming Products or Supplements
Calming products or supplements can be a great help in calming your dog. There are many products on the market that can soothe your pet’s nerves. A pheromone collar or diffuser can diffuse calming scents into your dog’s environment.
Supplements such as probiotics or essential fatty acids that calm down an animal’s nerves can also come in handy. However, it’s recommended to consult a veterinarian before giving your dog any supplements.
6. Massage Your Dog
Massaging your dog can be very beneficial when it comes to calming it down. It helps release tension, improve circulation, and soothes the nervous system.
Massage techniques for dogs involve rubbing, kneading or stroking their muscles under your guidance.
7. Try the Thundershirt
The Thundershirt is a compression vest that can help reduce stress in dogs. The tight-fitting shirt applies gentle pressure to your pet’s body, which can have a calming effect on anxious or hyper dogs.
Many owners find the Thundershirt to be an effective way to keep their pets calm during thunderstorms, car rides or other stressful situations.
8. Work with a Professional
If your dog has serious anxiety or aggressive issues, it might be a good idea to seek professional help. A dog trainer or behaviorist can offer valuable insights into your pet’s behavior and help you devise a plan to calm them down.
9. Give Your Dog Attention and Affection
All pets crave love and attention from their owners, and dogs are no exception. Hug them, give them belly rubs, play with them and pamper them from time to time.
This way, your dog will recognize your affection as a source of positivity in their life, which can reduce their anxiety.
10. Try Therapy
Lastly, if you’ve tried all the above methods and your dog is still anxious, you may want to consider dog therapy. This involves a certified therapist working with your pet one-on-one to address its anxiety, fear, and aggression.
Calming your dog quickly is essential for its health and well-being, as well as for yours. By utilizing these techniques, you can calm your dog down and provide it with the love and comfort it deserves.