5 Ways to Help Your Dog Relax

Is your dog stressed? Are you looking for ways to hep your pet relax? The reason your pet is stressed may not be apparent and can be a major concern for you as the owner. Seeing your dog experience stress is an upsetting experience.

Below find several methods for supporting your stressed pup and promoting a happy, healthy life (and maybe your life will be a little calmer too!).

How to Calm your Dog

Identify Potential Causes

Dogs can get nervous for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, an ordinarily calm dog will experience moments of hyperactivity. There are a few common reasons for dogs to become nervous, and pet parents must understand them so they can effectively remedy the problems and have the perfect date night with their dogs. Some dogs experience behavioral nervousness, while others have situational nervousness. Identifying what is the cause is crucial to helping your dog address their stress

Some of the most common causes of nervousness in dogs include:

• Environmental changes such as weather changes, thunderstorms, or moving to a new home
• Loud noises or strange sounds such as fireworks and vacuum cleaners
• Separation stress when the pet parents leave them alone
• Travel stress before, during, and after a trip

What are the Symptoms of Dog Nervousness?

Knowing the common symptoms of a nervous dog helps you figure out if your dog is experiencing stress or not. Visit a trusted vet if the stress is extreme. Severe stress makes it difficult to function normally. The veterinarian will go over your pet’s complete medical history and ask questions about how long the symptoms have been manifesting. Vets work with you to figure out the trigger and how to prevent them from affecting your dog again.

The symptoms include:

• Defecating or urinating around the house
• Destructive behavior
• Aggression
• Depression
• Excessive pacing and restlessness

5 Ways to Help Your Dog Relax

1. Distraction

Engaging your pet’s brain will help him focus on the things they know, instead of the unknown that is scaring him. It is an opportune time to practice tricks you taught the dog and offer rewards for the effort. Reward your dog for simple commands like shake, stand, roll over, and any other tricks they seem to enjoy. Distract a highly food-motivated dog using puzzle toys such as a tug jug, or even one of these Kong recipes. Distraction helps your dog associate frightening occurrences with high-value rewards, turning these events from scary to tolerable.

2. Music

Music is not only calming to humans. Many dog parents leave the radio or television on when they leave the house to help comfort their dogs. However, certain music genres are proven to have a more soothing effect on stress or hyper dogs than others. For example, classical music seems to have a significant calming effect, while metal music seems to agitate dogs. If you plan on leaving music on for a dog with separation stress, play it when you are home to prevent your dog from associating it with you leaving.

Music is beneficial in a variety of situations, including:

• When you first bring home a new dog or puppy
• When the dog has to spend some time in a crate, puppy zone, or in its safe space
• During fireworks or thunderstorms
• While riding in the car to reduce travel stress

3. CBD for dogs

Another natural way to manage a nervous dog is CBD. It is beneficial for dogs of all ages. Anecdotal reports from pet parents claim that CBD oil supports managing your pet’s stress. CBD oil for dogs is a natural product extracted from hemp. Hemp oil for dogs contains very small amounts of THC, so your dog will not get high from consuming it. It is recommended to consult with your veterinarian before considering using CBD oil as a management tool. Your vet can help you understand the different products available and how they could be beneficial for your pet’s stress and overall health.

When you start looking into the perfect CBD oil from hemp supplement for your dog, you will notice it’s available in various forms. The most popular are:

• CBD Oil for Pets – These are small glass bottles containing CBD oil and a dropper. Use the dropper for easy usage measurements.
• CBD Capsules For Pets – They come pre-filled with a use of CBD oil to ensure you are giving your dog the correct amount every time.
• CBD Chews For Pets (Edibites) – Are easy to swallow snacks for your dog. They are available in various flavor combinations, so your pet cannot tell the difference between supplements and its favorite treat.
• Topicals – They are applied directly on your dog’s skin for immediate relief to a specific area.

4. A Relaxing Massage

Just about everyone enjoys a good massage, and the same applies to your pet. Stress leads to tense muscles, and a massage can help ease this tension. Start by making slow, long strokes to soothe the nerves. Plus, studies show that petting your cat or dog also helps you calm your nerves – a win-win solution for all!

5. Exercising

Just like exercise is an excellent stress reliever for humans, it also is for your dog. Exercising stimulates serotonin production, a feel-good chemical. It also helps rid of pent-up tension and energy. A hike, a long game of fetch, running beside you as you bike, and other favorite physical activities are critical to reducing issues like stress and nervousness.

The Bottom Line

Your dog experiences periods of stress. While not all dogs will experience a diagnosable stress disorder, you must know the causes, symptoms, and management options. Understanding these critical components can help you know the best way to help your furry family friend during stress-inducing situations.

If you are not sure which Pet Releaf product can help promote calmness and relaxation, check out our Product Finder tool for the best recommendations based on your pet’s health needs!