In everyday language, people often talk about “tough dogs”, but in reality, our beloved four-legged friends are extremely sensitive creatures who need love and attention just as much as we humans do. Especially since dogs can hear and smell much better and therefore have to deal with all the impressions much more than we do. If we humans talk about sensory overload, how must our dogs be feeling?
So it's no wonder that dogs also panic from time to time or feel fear due to deeper trauma and need to be calmed down. But how do I calm an angry dog? Find out here!
Content: Calming dogs
- What are the reasons for restlessness in dogs?
- How do I recognize fear and anxiety in my dog?
- How do I calm my dog?
- Preventing for the future
- Conclusion
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What are the reasons for restlessness in dogs?
Dogs not only have a good sense of smell and hearing, but also a very fine sense of what is going on in their environment and the people around them. It is not uncommon for our own mood to be transmitted to the dog. But often it is things like thunderstorms with lightning and thunder or the annual New Year's Eve party with loud firecrackers that scare your dog.
Or simply a move that messes up your furry friend. If everything is suddenly different and no one has time for your four-legged friend because boxes need to be unpacked, this can cause stress in your dog. Stress is usually the reason for a restless four-legged friend - and this can be caused by many factors.
Of course, dogs are very individual and therefore their reactions can be completely different. Some dogs react stressed to car rides, while others simply have problems with their digestion.
A common reason for restlessness in dogs is a disturbed or impaired bond with their caregiver and the sudden absence of daily routines. An unexpected separation is particularly difficult for some dogs to bear. It can even be a traumatic experience. And of course the dog recognizes such situations. This includes, for example, a visit to the vet or the bathtub, which the water-shy dog absolutely does not want to get into.
See also: How to pet dogs properly - What do I have to pay attention to?
The reasons can be varied. It is crucial to identify the cause of the dog's discomfort and, if possible, prevent it in the future.
How do I recognize fear and anxiety in my dog?
There are a few signs that dogs are scared or anxious. Adrenaline is released, causing them to pant heavily without any physical exertion. Their ears are laid back, their tails are tucked in, and the animals often tense up. Dogs' facial expressions also indicate that they are in a stressful situation.
How dogs then behave varies greatly. Some become aggressive, while others become overly fearful and run away, or freeze like a deer in the headlights.
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How do I calm my dog?
Addressing the cause is the best way to avoid future stressful situations, but in many cases this doesn't work. After all, no one can stop a frightening summer storm and make their dog no longer afraid.
While the common opinion used to be that dogs were better left to their own devices in such situations, this picture has now completely changed.
At the time, it was assumed that dogs would remember the increased attention and, in order to receive more caresses, would repeat the learned behavior and become malingerers, so to speak. But this theory has now been refuted and, on the contrary, we now know that being left alone actually leads to more problems and even behavioral disorders.
If your dog is visibly frightened, it is advisable to support him in this stressful situation and calm him down.
Often your own voice is enough to calm your four-legged friend. A friendly tone is of course more important than what is said. But if you signal to the dog with warm words that everything is fine, you may see an improvement straight away. If the dog is familiar with you, petting should also help, and toys or treats can quickly cure minor upsets.
In really serious cases, this is only the first step. Another option is relaxation exercises, which we humans also treat ourselves to. It is best to combine your calming words with a massage, provided the dog lets you approach him. If he doesn't, you first have to build up trust. This can require patience and time.
With the massage you can concentrate on his ears. Stroke from the inside out to the tip. Make sure that his ears are pointing forward and not backwards. Ears pointing backwards represent alertness, which we don't want. Another option is to stroke from the tip of the nose over the head and back to the tip of the tail. But take your time, because a few minutes won't be enough. A dog that is so scared needs to trust you and that takes time.
With a massage you can relieve your dog's fears and tensions and strengthen the bond between you.
Physical balance is another important building block for your dog's health. If you enjoy a lot of varied exercise with your dog, you will relieve stress and tension almost automatically. Your own condition plays a much bigger role than you might expect at first glance, because your state of mind can be transferred to your four-legged companion.
Diet can also have a psychological impact on your dog and plays an important role. So if relaxation exercises don't help, changing the diet can work wonders.
Preventing for the future
Daily routines and the right food or dog food will help your dog to reduce stress in the future. If you can train your dog when it is still a puppy, you can start with relaxation exercises early on. This works particularly well in the imprinting phase from the 4th to the 14th week. But general socialization is also important and strengthens the self-confidence of every dog. And he learns that he does not need to be afraid of many things, strangers or other dogs.
However, without enough exercise, all of this is pretty worthless, because it is and remains the most important thing for dogs. See also: How often does a dog need to go out?
Conclusion
Leaving stressed dogs to their own devices is no longer in keeping with the times. With peace and relaxation, for example in a suitable dog bed , you can achieve much more and can also ensure improvement in the future. This is important because happy dogs not only live healthier lives, but also longer. We firmly believe in this!
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