7 Tips for Managing Anxiety in Dogs

Anxiety is a common factor for many dogs. There are different levels of anxiousness experienced by pups depending on what’s happened during their lifetime. If you’re a dog owner wanting to help your pet overcome that nervousness, we have seven tips to help your canine feel calm and less fearful.

• Have an exercise routine.

  Some dogs have nervous energy and need some play time to get that energy out and feel calmer. You may notice your anxious dog pacing, whining, and being destructive. These may be signs that your pup needs to have some exercise. Take your dog on a walk, run, or play a game of fetch. The physical stimulation will be a calming opportunity.

• Check for anxiety triggers.

  Sometimes canine anxiety comes from a specific trigger in your dog’s environment. Watch your pup’s behavior and look for patterns or actions that bring out more anxiety. If you can remove those triggers, often the anxiety will go away or become much less of an issue.

• Use calming treats.

  Some supplements can help ease your dog’s anxiety and promote a sense of calm. Even if your pet only experiences occasional stress—like during thunderstorms, fireworks, or travel—products such as Heavenly Hounds Relaxation Squares offer a tasty and effective solution. Each square contains natural ingredients like Valerian Root and Passionflower, which work together to help your pup feel relaxed and at ease.

• Obedience training.

  Obedience training is a great tool to calm your fur baby’s anxiety. It lays a foundation for a healthy relationship between you and your dog. Also, a trained pup can socialize easier than one not used to being around other pets or people.

• Anxiety medications.

  Your vet may recommend prescription medications for more extreme cases. It’s crucial to have a veterinarian you trust so that the two of you can make a plan together. Your vet can help you identify the anxiety type and what medicine may be the best treatment.

• Creating a safe space

  If some of your dog's triggers include loud noises or other environmental changes, set aside a designated area where they can go for comfort. They can benefit from a space that they will associate positive things with - a quiet place with treats, toys and comfy pillows. Giving them a dog bed or a dog mat they can relax with can also be very helpful as this can be placed anywhere in your house or when you're travelling.

• Nutrition.

  Nutrition gets overlooked when it comes to dog anxiety. Your pet needs a well-balanced diet to be healthy physically and mentally. Proper nutrition allows your fur baby to function better and have all the nutrients necessary for a happy, active lifestyle. Just like humans, pets need appropriate vitamins and minerals to thrive.

Overcoming anxiety

It may take some time for you to find the perfect combination to help your dog not feel as anxious. If none of the options mentioned work, you may consider contacting a dog behaviorist for professional help. As your dog’s best friend and constant companion, you should also check your level of anxiety. Dogs often react to our feelings, so if we’re stressed and anxious, our dogs sense it and may follow that behavior. Like humans, dogs can experience anxiety, but there are ways to treat it and make your sidekick more relaxed, even during challenging times.