Zen ways to manage dog stress

It may not seem like it, but a dog’s life can be pretty stressful. Not in the same way our lives are stressful – they don’t have deadlines, kids that need to get dropped off at school and a car to take in for servicing. Dogs get stressed out for different reasons.

These can include a change in schedule, being left at home alone for long periods of time, not being able to go to the toilet when desperate, too much or too little exercise, family arguments, loud noises, travelling, bitches season or new additions to the household.

For dogs taking part in shows or competitions, these can include queuing by the ring, meeting other dogs and handlers, travelling, too much training or too many commands, lack of consistency in training and training classes.

How to recognise signs of stress in our dog?

Do remember: chewing and barking releases endorphins which make the dog feels better. Then we get stressed and behave differently towards our dog.

Few zen ways to manage dog stress and make your dog more comfortable.

1.     Keep to a regular routine: A regular routine gives dogs a sense of stability. When that’s thrown off, your dog gets stressed, wondering what could be going on. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do – life happens and you need to make adjustments, especially when you’re moving, bringing a new baby home or making other household changes. Get back to a schedule as soon as you can, and until you can, encourage good behaviour with treats and praise. And a few extra belly rubs thrown in for good measure can’t hurt!

2.     Stay positive: Dog pick up on our vibes – good and bad. When you’re heading for a situation where you know your dog is going to be stressed, like a trip to the vet or an impending thunderstorm, stay calm and positive. Make a safe place for your dog to chill in and help him settle down. Lead by example with a soothing voice and demeanour, and your dog will pick up on the positive vibes, which will help calm him down.

3.     Desensitization: This technique is used to slowly desensitize your dog to the problem that sets him off. Let’s just say that your dog doesn’t like thunderstorms. You would play a recording of a thunderstorm at soft levels for a short period of time. If he can focus and stay calm, you reward him with a treat. Over time, you would repeat the process, gradually raising the sound level of the recording and rewarding calm behaviour. This way, your dog will learn to associate a thunderstorm with yummy treats.

4.     Training Stop using harsh methods of training, there is no place for violence and pain in dog training, and there is no excuse for it. It is totally valueless.

5.     Exercise Find a balance of exercise and activity, too much and too little can both cause problems.

6.     Closeness Let your pooch be part of the family as much as possible. Dogs cannot thrive on their own for long periods of time. They are social animals and need to be part of a pack.

7.     Massage Closeness, touching, and massage will all release stress. We all love a good massage, and so do our dogs. Use gentle, circular motions with your fingers to ease your dog’s tension and get him into the Zen zone.

8.     Our Phyt' for Dogs' Stress Relief Give your dog a natural zen aid to keep his/her cool and stay calm and comfortable during stressful situations, shows and competitions without inhibiting his/her natural demeanour and/or performance.

 These tips are for dogs that suffer from mild to moderate stress levels. If your dog is exhibiting extreme behaviours due to stress, you should talk to your veterinarian for the best course of action to take.