Tips for Calming Anxiety in Dogs
If your pet experiences bouts of anxiety or depression, consider your routine and ways that you can help alleviate symptoms. Training with positive reinforcement can also help reduce recurring anxiety.
“Mild cases of separation anxiety can be addressed with a counter-conditioning program, where, over time and through positive reinforcement, we change the dog’s negative reaction to a situation (being left alone) to a positive one,” says Erin Katribe, DVM and medical director for Best Friends Animal Society. “This is usually achieved through associating the situation with something really positive that the dog enjoys, like really delicious food or engaging toys. It’s also helpful to start the training process by providing these positive items while you’re gone for only a short period of time — the goal is to avoid the fear and negative association all together.”
“For more severe cases,” she adds, “training can be much more complex, and I recommend consulting a trainer or veterinary behaviorist. In severe cases, the dog has so much anxiety that they won’t eat or engage with the toy or food item.”
In any training scenario, be mindful of your own demeanor. Pets can sense your emotions, so it’s always best to try to be a calming influence. “Giving too much attention when leaving and returning home can heighten anxiety in pets,” says Dr. Jamie Richardson, chief of staff at Small Door Vet.
In addition to making progress with positive reinforcement strategies to help calm your pet, there are a number of other products and practices that can help your pet be a more relaxed companion:
Exercise
Just like with humans, a good workout works wonders. If your dog experiences anxiety, you might want to start by providing more opportunities for exercise. A long walk, trip to the dog park, or game of fetch in your own backyard are just the ticket. Pets who suffer from separation anxiety or simply need more activity during the day to reduce evening hyperactivity can also benefit from doggie daycare or dog sitters.
Theres no reason to leave your furry friend behind when youre eager to get in a workout.
Provide Physical Contact
In a stressful moment, love and attention from a trusted human can help to alleviate stress in an anxious dog. Dog massages, snuggles and a good brushing can help distract a dog from its triggers and make it easier for them to feel safe and at ease.
Offer Toys
Mentally stimulating toys can provide a distraction for pets experiencing anxiety, hyperactivity and boredom. Chew toys that offer a variety of sensory textures or sounds, and puzzle toys that release treats when operated correctly can provide hours of entertainment. Share these activities with your pets in times of stress, and not only will they distract from their immediate worries, but using them as positive reinforcement for good behavior during a stressful time can help reframe their behavior in the long term as well.
Pique your dogs curiosity and encourage mental and physical activity by surrounding him with stimulating puzzles and gadgets, like these entertaining toys that you can make at home.
Play Music
If you can’t be nearby your dog during an anxiety-inducing time, music might be just the ticket to help your dog feel relaxed. You can actually buy calming music, and it helps more than just anxiety, too — many pets also benefit from music to combat loneliness, boredom and hyperactivity. Introduce music as a sensory solution during relaxing and fun times, and you’ll more easily be able to rely on it as a soothing mechanism during stressful events.
Dress Your Pet
Calming coats and anxiety vests are often effective when it comes to comforting anxious dogs. The effect of a tightly fit garment is much the same concept as swaddling a baby. Regardless of brand and design, when the fit of the jacket is right, the snug material provides a consistent pressure to the torso of the dog.
Create a Safe Space
A comfortable dog bed or crate can offer comfort and a sense of safety to dogs experiencing anxiety. If your anxious pet is prone to destruction, a crate can also help keep them safe while you’re away from home.
Try Acupuncture
“Acupuncture can certainly be part of a treatment plan for pets with anxiety,” says Dr. Gary Richter, DVM, medical director of Holistic Veterinary Care and founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition. “As a rule, it is something that needs to be done regularly. That could mean up to weekly for some pets or as infrequently as monthly or every other month for others. Personally, I usually start with training and supplements first as this tends to be easier on the owner and the animal. If that doesnt work, acupuncture is a good option to look at before moving into pharmaceuticals.”
Consider Medication
Perpetually anxious pets might need more than attention and stimulation, and if all other efforts don’t help, ask your veterinarian about common oral medications. You might even be surprised to learn that CBD solutions are becoming increasingly common for anxious pets, and other over-the-counter solutions might be more mainstream than you think. Your vet will be best able to make recommendations based on your pet’s individual needs.
Here 10 products to help calm an anxious dog:
Dr. Karen Sueda, a veterinarian at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, recommends nutraceuticals like Virbacs Anxiatane, which is made with the green tea derivative L-theanine. “There actually is some good research out there showing that [Anxiatane] can help,” she says. Our experts recommend these tablets over a chew or treat that contains L-theanine along with other ingredients. “Sometimes those other added ingredients can change how one particular individual reacts,” says Sueda.
A treat ball to take your dog’s mind off of their worries
Starmark Treat Dispensing Chew Ball, available at Chewy and Amazon, $12.08
Puzzle toys can redirect a dogs anxiety into productive play. The Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball is DeMartini-Prices favorite, especially for dogs that dont like to be too far away from their humans.
“If it starts to roll a little too far away, they can pick it up and bring it back,” DeMartini-Price says. “But what we tend to see is that eventually, its rolling down the stairs and around the corner and the dog is [having a blast]. It gives the dog a choice.” She recommends using the large ball no matter what size your dog is.
15 HOURS of Deep Separation Anxiety Music for Dog Relaxation! Helped 4 Million Dogs Worldwide! NEW!
If your dog seems to worry when youre heading out, destroys stuff when you leave the house, follows you from room to room when youre home, goes berserk when you come back and seems to be eyeing you suspiciously even before you leave—you may be dealing with a case of separation anxiety.
Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit distress and behavior problems when theyre left alone. Some of the most common ways they do this:
Its not fully understood why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and others dont. But remember, your dogs behaviors are part of a panic response. Your dog isnt trying to punish you! They just want you to come home!