Essential Oils, Anyone?
Do you want an all-natural therapeutic approach? You could try out essential oils to create a calming effect. Essential oils come in spray or topical oils, but you always have to dilute the oils before they get close to your dog.
Always, always, always double and triple check to make sure you have the right essential oils. Certain ones can pose a risk of toxicity.
Try to spray the scents onto bedding or blankets rather than applying topically to your dog. Topical application may cause a bit of irritation. There are also chewables, if you prefer.
Some essential oil options for nervous pets are:
Different oils require different measurements of dilution. Or, you can leave it to the professionals and buy some essential oils specially-made for dogs instead!
CBD for Dogs (CBD Oil & Hemp Seed Oil)
CBD, or Cannabidiol, is an ever-growing, booming hit these days. There is no actual definitive scientific data that proves the effectiveness of CBD oil—but many dog owners swear by it.
While there is no conclusive data, CBD oil is said to ease stomach upset and anxiety. Studies are still in the process of finding out the exact effectiveness of CBD oil for anxiety. However, it shows promising results for pain issues.
Hemp seed oil treatment and treats are also becoming quite popular. Most choices are a combination of hemp seed and relaxing agents like melatonin and chamomile.
You can simply give your dog a “good boy” treat and let the formula work its magic.
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As Preventive Vets dog behavior expert and lead trainer at Pupstanding Academy, Cathy focuses on helping humans and their pets build a strong relationship based on trust, clear communication, and the use of positive reinforcement and force-free methods. With over 13 years of experience, she has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of dogs on a wide variety of training and behavior issues. Beyond her one-on-one consultations through Pupstanding Academy, she also teaches group dog training classes at Seattle Humane. Her specialties include dog aggression, resource guarding, separation anxiety, and puppy socialization.
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When shes not geeking out about dogs, you can find her reading, hiking with her two Cardigan Welsh Corgis, or paddleboarding.
Cathy is certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, holding both the CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA designations. Cathy is a Fear Free Certified Certified Professional, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the Pet Professional Guild, and the Dog Writers Association of America.