Mary Allen
Dogs are among the most sensitive creatures in the world. Not only do they have a much more powerful sense of hearing than we humans or an x times better sense of smell, but they also have a keen sense of situations and moods. In this way, our four-legged roommates can sense when we are not feeling well when we are angry or happy. Our constitution carries over to their behavior. In addition, dogs often react very emotionally to changing circumstances. Their reactions vary in intensity and are of a changing nature. Some four-legged friends are nervous or seem stressed, while others are more frightened. In this article, you will find out how you can tell that your loved one is feeling uncomfortable and how you can support them in such situations.
What are the Triggers for the Unrest?
Moving into a new house or apartment is stressful for most pets. They have to leave their familiar surroundings and reorient themselves. Suddenly the basket is constantly in a different place and the caregivers are busy unpacking moving boxes. There is often no time left for cuddles and meals are irregular. It is precisely the lived routines that give the dog security. The arrival of a new baby or another pet can upset his emotional balance if he suddenly has to share his people with another being. This also applies to dogs who need constant contact with their caregivers. If they are left alone, they often feel neglected and suffer greatly from separation anxiety.
But it is not just such drastic circumstances that put a strain on your dog, more or less everyday events can also cause stress. The best example of this is a visit to the vet. The car ride is still okay, but at the latest when entering the practice, the calm of many four-legged friends is gone and even the bravest tremble all over when they are lifted onto the treatment table. In addition, loud noises, such as New Year’s Eve fireworks or a car backfiring, can frighten some dogs. And while one makes himself comfortable on the carpet during a thunderstorm, the other prefers to crawl under the bed. As an understanding dog owner, you can try to calm down and relax your furry friend in these or similar situations.
Calm Down or Leave to Your Own Devices?
In the past, many dog training experts believed that an excited or frightened dog should be ignored and ignored. The ulterior motive was not to reward his behavior with increased attention. After all, dogs are not stupid and think that if I’m nervous, my master will take special care of me and give me treats. It is now known that such a procedure leaves four-legged friends alone with their problems and that behavioral disorders can develop in the future. Instead, it is now generally advised to pay attention to the signals that the dog sends out and to support him in coping better with phases of stress.
Dogs that have a close bond with their master or mistress are much easier to calm down than four-legged friends that are in the adjustment phase. It is usually sufficient to talk to the bundle of nerves in a calm voice and to stroke it soothingly. Toys or treats can also help with distraction. Going for a walk or playing together is actually the best way to regain composure and self-confidence.
Targeted Relaxation Training Helps Four-Legged Bundles of Nerves
However, if the animal is too tense and cannot be distracted, targeted relaxation training can work wonders. When stressful situations arise, the dog’s muscles tense up. Frequent panting and flat ears also indicate nervousness. Dogs also have distinctive facial expressions that can change significantly when they experience feelings such as fear or restlessness. Responsible for the change is an increased adrenaline output, which causes a wide variety of reactions such as aggressiveness or inattention. Some four-legged friends then stop as if in shock or flee to a place that is safe for them.
If you observe such reactions in your dog, you should simply massage his fear away. A good way is to gently brush his ears from the shell to the tip. It is important to point the ears forward or to the side, not backward. In dogs, a hearing organ that is placed forward basically means attention and well-being. You can do this exercise alternately and use it until your darling relaxes. A relaxed stroking movement with a cupped hand from the tip of the nose over the back to the end of the tail also has a calming effect. The other hand can be placed under the mouth for support.
These or similar exercises not only relax the dog but also increase the level of trust between humans and animals. Your own calm and balance is an advantage for all measures because your relaxation is transferred to the dog: the calmer you are, the more your pet calms down. In addition, relaxation training has a positive effect on the physical fitness of the four-legged friend, while permanently tense muscles can damage the dog’s body in the long run.
Support with an Exercise Adapted Nutrition and Daily Routines
To keep moments of stress within limits, you can do a lot for the well-being of your four-legged friend in advance. Relaxation exercises can already be carried out in puppies during the imprinting phase (4th to 14th week of life). It is also advisable to introduce the young dog to various everyday situations as early as possible. This is the best way for your dog to learn that new events or loud noises are not disruptive factors.
Regular exercise and activity are also important for dogs to help them feel balanced. In addition, family dogs need a lot of attention and time together with their people. You should make this meaningful and varied, for example with stroking, playing, brushing, and cuddling. Daily routines, such as going for a walk or eating at the same time, will also help your four-legged friend to stay calm.
A balanced diet that is optimally tailored to the age and condition of the dog makes a significant contribution to its well-being and thus to its health.
Sometimes it can be helpful to select special food compositions that actively contribute to calming the four-legged friend. This is particularly recommended for chronically anxious animals. You can find out more about this from your veterinarian.
Conclusion: Leaving dogs to themselves in moments of stress is out. Instead, calm down and relax are on the agenda. With a little practice and empathy, restlessness and excitement can be easily caressed away. It is important to convey safety and security to the four-legged friend.