Mary Allen
If you deal with the topic of “relaxation”, you will inevitably come across the topic of “stress”. Dogs are also increasingly stressed today due to sometimes higher demands, the increase in external stimuli, and the general fast pace of life, which is also increasingly affecting us, humans. This makes it increasingly difficult for many dogs to relax and they are more often nervous and restless. However, a high level of arousal is often coupled with abnormal behavior, unresponsiveness, and other problems. It is therefore important to ensure that the dog has enough relaxation in everyday life and during training. But how exactly can you, as the owner, help your dog to relax more?
Make Sure You Have Enough Rest Periods
One of the most important factors for a relaxed dog is getting enough sleep. But how much sleep does a dog actually need? As a rule, it is assumed that an adult and healthy dog needs around 18 to 20 hours of sleep per day. With puppies or sick dogs, it can be more. However, this number of hours does not refer to the pure deep sleep phases but includes all phases in which the dog rests, dozes, and lies relaxed. However, deep sleep, which lasts about four to five hours, plays a special role. Only then are the events of the day really processed and sorted, and training content transferred to long-term memory. Too little sleep in puppies is particularly noticeable. Maybe you also know the so-called wild five minutes, in which the puppy seems to be rushing around as if bitten by a tarantula, walking over tables and benches, and can hardly be calmed down. This behavior is often a sign that the puppy has had to deal with too many stimuli and too little sleep throughout the day. As with small children, puppies lack the ability to recognize for themselves when they need rest and to consciously seek it.
As with humans, too little sleep leads to serious problems: from overexcitement, irritability, inappropriate nervous or aggressive behavior, depression to physical illnesses. It is therefore important to ensure that the dog gets enough rest and sleep phases. Owners often assume that the dog can sleep well while they are working or out and about, for example. That could well be the case. With many dogs, however, it is the case that the quality of sleep suffers significantly if there are no reference persons. Dogs are very social and often only really relax when all family members are there.
The Right Berth
Exactly what the perfect place to lie down for a dog can be very different and individual. Some dogs relax best in very soft, cuddly, and snuggly baskets. Others prefer to just lie on a thin blanket or even the bare floor. Still, others descend best in a cavernous, open dog crate. Here you should see what your dog’s preferences are and take these into account when choosing a place to lie down. Make sure that the place is so quiet that your dog is not disturbed by too many external stimuli. But he shouldn’t be too remote either, so he doesn’t feel socially excluded. Again, individual preferences play a major role here. There are dogs that like to retreat to a quiet place of their own accord and then really relax there. Other dogs calm down best when they are allowed to lie very close to their caregiver. It is good to provide the dog with several lying places that he can change depending on the time of day, the situation, and the current need.
Relaxation for the Dog and You
A great way to reduce stress and relax with your dog is cuddling. The intimate physical contact between humans and dogs when petting, cuddling, or massaging releases the hormone oxytocin – colloquially also known as the cuddle hormone – in both. Oxytocin has many positive effects: it strengthens bonds, has an anxiolytic and calming effect, and reduces stress. So feel free to take the time to include small cuddles with your dog during the day. Make sure you have a calm atmosphere and enough time. Use touches that your dog actually finds pleasant. Gentle and very slow massages on parts of the body that your dog particularly likes have often proven effective. Some dogs also just like to lie close to people, but don’t necessarily want to be petted. This is of course perfectly fine and does not detract from oxytocin production. Find out what is good for you and your dog. Have fun cuddling!