How to Help Your Dog Cope with Anxiety

Keeping your dog happy and healthy should be your number one priority as a pet owner. Ensuring that your dog is physically fit, getting the treatments needed for any health conditions, and avoiding exposure to abuse or trauma are your number one concerns.

However, it’s not unnatural for pet owners to be concerned when their dog is showing signs of stress and anxiety. You can help your dog with his or her mental health just as well as the physical. Here are a few strategies to help.

Tips to Reduce Your Dog’s Anxiety

Make Your Sure Your Dog Gets Enough Stimulation

Dogs can store energy just like a battery, and when they’re overcharged, it can result in anxiety. Dogs are in need of stimulation, and if they don’t get any, it can result in anxious behavior, such as barking, chewing objects, and digging. Aside from ensuring that your dog gets exercise, you should make sure he or she has active toys to play with and that you spend time playing with your dog, too.

Is Something Specific Causing Frustration?

Anxiety can be caused by something constantly getting on your dog’s nerves as well. This could be as simple as seeing a cat that likes to walk across your fence on a regular basis. Dealing with your dog’s anxiety can be about limiting access to the frustration. However, training them to heel can distract from those sources as well.

Consider Supplements

Just as there are medications for all kinds of ailments for dogs, the same goes for supplements that can help them be calmer. In particular, CBD is effective for treating both humans and pets. Just make sure that you do your research and talk to your vet about the appropriate dosage levels to work for your pup.

Should You Crate Your Dog?

Crating your dog, and therefore removing the ability to interact with the environment or the outside world, can seem, to some people, cruel. Indeed, if your dog is kept in the crate all day, that’s not appropriate. If your pet suffers separation anxiety and is likely to destroy the home, then temporarily crating your dog until you return can help to keep your dog calm. It’s important to remember that it is just a temporary solution, however.

Be More Mindful About Arrivals and Departures

You might be tempted to love bomb your dog before you get out the door or to get as caught up in the excitement as they are. However, anxiety can be triggered by both arrivals and departures, and you may well notice how long it takes your dog to calm down when you get home. Downplay things when you leave and when you get home.

Dogs can seem more difficult to help with stress and anxiety since it’s not like they can just talk it out. However, if you take the time to invest in some of the above tips, your dogs anxiety might lessen.