If your canine companion is experiencing anxiety, it can put a lot of stress on you as a pet parent. Seeing your pup in distress is never fun, especially when you don’t know what you can do to help them. If your dog is experiencing anxiety, here are some helpful tips that could combat their symptoms.
Toys & Gear That Can Help
There are numerous toys and gear on the market that are specifically made to help dogs who are suffering from anxiety. Here are a few of our favorites that you might want to consider:
- ThunderShirt: This has been an extremely popular item among owners with anxious pets. The vest works by applying gentle pressure to your canine that is similar to swaddling a baby or receiving a comforting hug.
- Puzzle Toys: Numerous dogs get separation anxiety, and that can sometimes be attributed to pure boredom. Puzzle toys are a great way to keep your furry friend distracted and mentally stimulated while you’re not home.
- Long-Lasting Chews: Once again, boredom could be a major factor in their anxiety, and long-lasting chews can keep a canine distracted for hours.
- Pheromone Calming Products: There are pheromone-based treatments that some owners swear by. These work by releasing a pheromone that creates a calming effect in your pup.
Methods You Can Try at Home
Home remedies are also a great option and typically hold little to no risk, so it doesn’t hurt to try! Here are some things you can try at home to help reduce your pup’s anxiety:
- White Noise: You can use a fan, white noise machine, or even a radio to help distract your pooch from any startling noises. Classical music has also been shown in numerous studies to help successfully relax dogs.
- Have You Evaluated Your Stress Levels: Our pups are much smarter than we sometimes give them credit for and can pick up on the fact that we’re stressed or upset. If you’re acting this way, then it can rub off on your furry friend.
- Daily Exercise: A sleepy pup is a happy one. Your pooch could be anxious due to built up energy that they aren’t able to release properly. If you aren’t taking your dog on at least one walk a day, then you need to start.
Obedience Training Can Work Wonders
Often when a dog is experiencing anxiety or separation anxiety, there’s an underlying reason. Maybe this pup hasn’t been properly socialized, isn’t living on a routine, or didn’t receive the correct training. That’s where Sit Means Sit professional trainers come in to help. If your pup doesn’t know what’s expected of them, it can cause them immense amounts of stress. Obedience training helps your furry friend become their best self, allowing them to be a happy, healthy, and well-socialized pooch. If you’re ready to help your dog conquer their fears, contact us today for your free evaluation!
Trying to help an anxious dog can sometimes mean trials of testing out new methods and products for a while until you discover what works best for Fido. However, if nothing seems to be helping, it might be best to contact your dog’s veterinarian to see if medication could help them.
