- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Dogs can feel anxious for many reasons. When our dogs feel anxious, we want to help them feel better, but it’s important to do it the right way. The quickest way to help your dog calm down is to take them away from whatever is making them feel scared or upset.
Keep reading to learn eight ways to calm your anxious dog down. We scoured through studies to see what worked best for calming dogs down and spoke to a certified dog trainer for regular training exercises.
1. Use Distance
The more often you show your dog that high-energy behaviors mean leaving an area or situation, the quicker they will calm down. This works for both fear- and excitement-based behaviors as distance acts as a reward (for anxiety) or negative reinforcer (for stimulation). Putting distance can calm your dog because they gradually have nothing to react to.
On the other hand, if you bring or force your dog closer to the trigger, their stress levels will increase. This can affect how they respond in similar situations in the future.
2. Gently Pet Your Dog
While we might want to pet our dogs to make them feel better, not all petting helps anxious dogs. While fast, rapid petting can excite dogs, slow, gentle pets can calm your dog down quickly, says Ashley Dalton, a dog trainer with Zoom Room.
Certain massage techniques can also help relax dogs. But Dalton says to be careful and watch your dog’s body language to see if they’re okay with being petted, as not all dogs enjoy it.
3. Teach Your Dog to Breathe Slowly
Telling a dog to “calm down” usually work but breathing and relaxation exercises can. Teaching your dog to slow their breathing can help them feel calm. One way to start is by using a snuffle mat, which encourages your dog to sniff around and breathe while searching for food.
You can also teach your dog how to take a breath. For a good example, check out the “Take a Breath” exercise in the book “Control Unleashed” by Leslie McDevitt.
4. Speak in a Calm Voice
The tone and volume of our voices can affect our dogs. “Just as higher-pitched, fast-talking can get dogs more excited, low, slow tones can help them calm down,” Dalton says.
If you want your dog to stay relaxed, keep your volume low and tone soft while you talk to them.
5. Create a Safe Space
Dalton says a safe space can help dogs feel secure when they’re anxious, especially at home. You will need to train and create positive associations with your dog to make the space really feel safe.
For example, dogs who are afraid of loud noises like fireworks might feel better in a cozy spot with their favorite bed, toys, soft music, and maybe something to chew on, like a KONG.
6. Play Relaxing Music
Studies show that soft music, especially classical music, can help dogs relax. Some streaming services even have playlists made just for calming dogs.
But avoid heavy rock or metal music, as it might make some dogs more anxious. If your dog has noise reactivity, they may not be keen on music therapy.
7. Distract Them with Treats or Toys
If your dog isn’t too anxious to eat, using treats or toys can help distract them from whatever is making them nervous. Dalton says you can even use treats or toys to move them away from what’s bothering them or to keep them busy until it passes.
This won’t change how they feel about the trigger, but it might help them feel a little less worried.
8. Take Them for a Walk
Exercise can help some anxious dogs by giving them an outlet for their energy. But too much exercise, like running or playing fetch, might make some dogs more anxious.
Dalton says to keep it simple and let your dog enjoy an easy walk or gentle playtime.
9. Practice Desensitization
Desensitization is a slow training process where you slowly expose your dogs to what excites or scares them. If your dog is afraid of noises, try a sound desensitization protocol. A sound desensitization protocol involves playing noises around your dog at increasingly louder volumes and in different locations over time.
Training games like “Look At That” and “Find It” can also help. For these games, you start by rewarding your dog for acknowledging a trigger, such as a cat or strange yard object. Once they understand the game, start treating your dog when they look at you instead of trigger.
10. Try Calming Products
Many products are made to calm dogs, like calming beds, special pheromones, or the ThunderShirt. Some people also try hemp or CBD products for their dogs. These products might work for some dogs but not others, so ask your vet for advice on what’s best for your dog.
Dalton also says medication can be helpful in some cases. The goal with medicine isn’t to sedate your dog but to support them so they can learn and respond better to training. If you’re curious about anxiety medicine, talk to your vet about the pros and cons.
iStock/Vanessa Nunes
What Not to Do
- Avoid flooding or forcing your dog. One mistake pet parents might make with anxious dogs is “flooding.” This means they keep exposing their pup to the trigger without helping them learn how to stay calm around it. Working with a trainer can help avoid this.
- Over-training your dog instead of getting to the root of their anxiety. Dalton says another common mistake is focusing solely on obedience skills. “While these skills can be great to have in a dog’s repertoire, anxiety is not an issue of obedience,” she says.
- Punish your dog. Dog parents should never punish their pup for being scared or anxious. Like with people, fear isn’t something dogs choose, and punishment can harm their trust in you.
How to Figure Out What Makes Your Dog Anxious
Start by learning how to read dog body language. The way a dog holds their body, tail, and ears can help you spot early signs of anxiety.
Then, keep track! Write down what signs you see, when and where you see them, and what’s happening around you. As you begin to notice patterns, your dog’s behavior will become more predictable and preventing escalation becomes easier.
Are anxiety triggers different across breeds?
Dalton says anxiety is complex, and triggers can range across breeds and vary greatly with each dog.
For example, studies show that herding breeds like Border Collies tend to show anxiety by pacing when not doing their intended job. Meanwhile, German Shepherds can react aggressively when triggered by strangers.
When to Get Help
Many people wait until their dog’s anxiety is a big problem to get help. But Dalton says it’s best to start early! Even if you don’t see problems yet, working with a Fear-Free trainer can help prevent anxiety. Dog trainers can also catch early signs of anxiety.
When looking for help, research trainers or behavior experts with the right experience and certifications. Some behaviorists have special degrees, like a Master’s or Ph.D., or are veterinary behaviorists. Be careful of anyone who promises a “guarantee” since anxiety is complex and takes time to manage.
