04/03/22
As you have already noticed, sometimes your dog shows stress. Like us, dogs are emotional, reactive beings and express their discomfort in different ways. Find out how to soothe your dog in different situations and help him work on his daily stress management.
Just like humans, dogs are creatures that often feel stress and even anxiety. If a situation can be stressful for you, it is certainly also for your pet. Indeed, dogs do not like changes, are reactive to environmental noises and are sensitive and concerned about the well-being of their master. It is then easy to imagine Which can cause stress in dogs. Thus, a car ride, a shout or a horn, a visit to a stranger's house or even the depression of the owners, are situations that generate a high level of tension. Thus, you will have understood that stress is experienced in much the same way by your pet as by you: it can be temporary or chronic. In all cases, it is possible to reduce it. But if it is sometimes complicated to recognize stress when you feel it, you will have to increase your vigilance with your pet. Indeed, when your dog is stressed, it can behave in an unusual way. If you don't know your dog well enough or don't empathize with him, you could punish him instead of reassuring him, thus aggravating his discomfort... The first step is to learn to isolate stressful situations for him.
Depending on the animal and situations, your dog's stress manifests in different ways. Among the most common signs, we count:
In case of deep and lasting stress, your dog can also suffer from:
To be able to de-stress your pet, you must first be able to identify the source of his stress. If when you walk your dog, he fidgets, hides, barks or tucks his tail and puts his ears back at the sound of a scooter, it means that the noise is disturbing and stressful. If you notice a change in your dog's behavior, when you leave for work, he is probably afraid of being abandoned.
When a dog is afraid, it is essential that he be reassured by someone he trusts, someone who is kind to him. To do this, petting and massaging are good ways to calm him down quickly. To do this, your gestures should be gentle and your hand in constant contact with his body. Don't pat him until the stressful situation is completely over. You can focus on his favorite areas, often the top of his head, neck, side.
Imagine when you are stressed or scared, you like to hear reassuring words. The same is true for your pet. Soft words and expressions of love will do him good. Use a calm, soothing tone of voice, as your dog will sense the intonation of your voice, in addition to the intent of the words.
After a stressful situation, some dogs may crave attention and cuddles. Giving them what they want is the best way to reassure and calm them. A dog crying out for attention will usually lie on his back with his paws up and look at you, or he may stick to you and wag his tail.
If your dog hates going to the vet, he also knows the way. So, at the next appointment, try to take a different route. He won't have time to get stressed out.
Your dog hates it when you're away, and he knows that if you put on your sweater, you're about to leave. Wear that sweater around the house, and show him that it doesn't necessarily mean you're leaving. In de-ritualizing situations, dogs learn to manage their emotions and therefore control their stress.
Your dog is as receptive to calm and relaxation as you are. Creating a relaxing atmosphere with music can help your dog work through his stress. In addition, Products such as CBD have good results on animal and especially canine relaxation. If you want to know what the benefits of CBD are on your pet's health and stress, read our article on the subject.
Stress in dogs manifests itself in many ways, but the important thing is to show them that you are there for them. In fact, having a positive attitude about your dog's reactions to stress will help calm him down. Also, practice positive reinforcement with your pet. In other words, don't hesitate to reward him for his good behavior. Finally, keep in mind that animal stress can be calmed, but it takes time. So be patient.
