Discover here nine concrete solutions to help your dog relax.
Why can my dog be stressed?
In biology, stress refers to any physical or psychological agent that leads to a reaction of the body. But in the current language, stress refers to an agonizing or traumatic situation to which an individual, and your dog, in this case, must face.
A dog can thus be confronted with punctual and transient stressful situations that lead to his emotions, such as fear or fear. Your pet can be confronted with an example when it goes to the veterinarian, in case of a storm, or the fireworks nights.
But, your dog can also be subjected to stressful situations that settle in the duration or often repeat. This is the case, for example, stress related to the inactivity of a work dog or hunting, stress related to the loneliness of the animal, stress linked to poor communication between the master and his dog or to Inappropriate living conditions etc.
But a dog that is too often stressed can become anxious or depressive. It is then necessary to break this vicious circle by putting in place solutions to relax your dog efficiently. To preserve his well-being and yours.
How is the stress in dog manifests;?
Stressful situations in dogs translate into negative emotions such as fear or anxiety that they themselves give rise to various reactions such as:
Neurovegétative events Using, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Vidanges of Anal Glands, HypersAlivation, Trembling, Fortress.
a posture ” folded “, bass with the tail between the legs,
a leakage or aggression behaviour,
untimely barking, vocalizations,
Substitution behaviours such as compulsive licking, scratches, turn among other stereotypies, destruction …,
A loss of appetite or, on the contrary, a bulimic behaviour.
Etc.
Ten solutions to relax his dog
Solution n ° 1: behavioural therapy
Whether your dog suffers from a phobia or is stressed to stay alone, the best is always to precisely identify the origin of your pet’s problem by consulting a canine behaviour specialist. Whether it’s a behavioralist veterinarian or a Canine behavioural educator, this professional will help your pet by setting up targeted behavioural therapy adapted to your pet’s particular case.
All other solutions presented in the rest of this article can be used in addition to behavioural therapy to support and facilitate its application.
Solution # 2: offer a serene environment and a reassuring routine to your dog
On a daily basis, offer a comfortable sleeping room for your dog in a quiet and reassuring place for him where he can find refuge when hermits him.
Also, make sure that the rules of life at home are clear and consistent for your dog.
Avoid punishments and coercive education methods (anti-barking collar, follower necklace …) that are likely to exacerbate fear reactions and can lead to aggression. I prefer the positive and benevolent methods, more respectful of the dog welfare.
Solution # 3: Answer the activity needs of your dog
When we are stressed, we often need to let off steam by offering a good sports session during which all the tensions can be evacuated, and Well, it’s exactly the same for your dog. What is the origin of his stress? You will always win to meet his activity needs by offering him a great walk where he will have the opportunity to run all his Soul.
But physical activity is not the only need for your dog. Also, remember to satisfy its food and chewing needs, social needs, intellectual and vocal needs. This will help relax it every day.
Read also: Dog activity needs, how to satisfy them?
Solution n ° 4: Try pheromone therapy and aromatherapy
Apaisonine is a pheromone, secreted in the intermammary groove of the bitch a few days after the birth of puppies up to their 3rd week of life. It has soothing effects on the little ones who come to suck but also tranquillizing effects on adult dogs so that today a synthetic analogue of calm to help manage stress :
of a puppy that arrives in a new fireplace,
an anxious dog who has trouble adapting to a new environment (move, holiday …),
In all situations of fear in the dog (fear of an unknown person, urban phobia …)
etc.
These pheromones have visible effects in the first 15 days of use.
There are also soothing essential oils (valerian, vetiver, sage and basil) to use vaporization or diffusion and help animals to relax more easily. It can be used in all situations that generate short-term stress in animals as a transport, a visit to the veterinarian or when it has noise that scares the animal (works, fireworks …).
Attention
The use of essential oils is to be proscribed if you have a cat, a very young puppy or a pregnant or breastfeeding bitch. If necessary, ask your veterinarian for advice before using essential oils in the presence of your pet.
Solution No. 5: Mise on soothing natural products
If your dog needs an extra boost to make it less stressed, you can also use relaxing food supplements, phytotherapy products, Bach floral elixirs or homoeopathy. Ask for advice from a specialized veterinarian.
Solution n ° 6: experiment with the dog stress vest for dogs
Dog anti-stress vests are kinds of dog coats designed to calm anxious dogs. These vests exert a soft and constant pressure on the dog’s body and cause a calming effect similar to that of putting an infant in crying or tightening a person in distress. This soft pressure would have the property of freeing chemical substances called endorphins that promote a sense of well-being in animals.
Solution N ° 7: Have relaxing music for your dog.
Some studies have suggested: Classical music would have relaxing effects on our dear canids. But not any one To have calming effects, however, the music must not exceed 50 to 60bpm and a sound level of 55 +/- 5 dB so as not to hit the dog’s auditory sensitivity.
To read also: a compilation of relaxing music for a dog on music for my dog ?
Solution # 8: Learn to massage your dog
Solution # 9: Relax
A Swedish scientific study published in Nature showed in 2019 that the level of stress between the dog and the human was synchronized. In other words, we can also say that your dog is contaminated by your emotions. If you are stressed, your dog will also be And if you start by managing your own stress by relaxing. It could simply help your dog to relax also.
