5 Tips to Calm Stressed Out Dogs

Your pup is your best friend, perhaps closer to you than some of your human companions. As such, it can be extremely painful to know that your furry friend is stressed out or in significant pain.

A dog who is stressed out will most likely bark loudly and for no reason, hide, pant, whine, yawn, and drool a lot more than usual. If you notice your pup is up to any of these, it’s plausible to conclude that he may simply be stressed out.

While it’s natural to worry when your pup is stressed out, but the good thing is, once you identify that your pup is stressed out, you can opt for natural methods to calm his nerves!

Here are 5 tips to calm stressed out dogs that you can revert to any time you suspect your pup isn’t acting like his usual self!

1.     Make Sure He Is Active

Just as exercising regularly is important for the mental health of humans, it is also equally important for dogs. Exercise can help relieve stress in dogs that are especially stressed out. Even just regular walks around the neighborhood can do wonders for a stressed out dog.

As the dog’s owner, it falls under your prerogative to make sure that your pup is out and about and active. Walking will also allow your pup to explore around the neighborhood, thereby stimulating his senses. Walking isn’t the only form of exercise recommended for dogs. You can also make exercise fun for both you and your pup to keep both of you stress-free!

For example, during the evenings, you can make it a point to play fetch with your pup. It is commonly said that a dog is happiest when he is tired. Physical activity will tire him out – but in a good way. Remember, it doesn’t matter even if you do have a large yard. It’s still better to make a routine of going for regular walks or playing physically stimulating games with your pup.

Also, always keep in mind that some breeds of dogs require more exercise than others. This is not to conclude that a lack of exercise is making your pup stressed out, but if your pup is already stressed, exercise is sure to help!

2.     A Doggy Massage

When humans are stressed, physical contact can go a long way in helping us calm down. Sometimes, just a hug might be all we need to de-stress. In extreme circumstances, we even opt to visit massage therapists. There’s nothing a good massage can’t fix.

Our bodies tend to become knotted due to tension in the muscles. As such, a massage can go a very long way when it comes to relieving tension from your body. The same applies to our pets. If you sense that your pup is stressed out, you may just want to consider giving him a nice little doggy massage to relieve the tension from his body.

In a dog’s body, certain places hold the most amount of tension. These include his ears, feet, and the top part of his head. These are all pressure points. All you need to do is place your hands gently on either of these locations and move your fingers in circular motions for roughly ten to fifteen minutes. You will, for certain, notice a world of difference in your pup’s stress levels before and after the massage.

3.     Love and Care

Your pup being stressed out isn’t your fault. But the good thing is, you can help calm him down, with just a little bit of your love, care, and affection. The thing about dogs is that they are pack animals. As such, they are used to getting a whole lot of love and affection.

Perhaps try to take out more time for your furry friend. And in the time that you are allocating for him, try to give him undivided attention. You will notice that your pup seems happier and more care free in no time!

4.     Mentally Stimulating Activities

In the past, many dogs were particularly trained to engage in laborious activities. As such, sometimes, dogs simply want to be kept busy.

Lazing around all day might be making your pup unhappy and adding to his stress.  Not to worry because you can help! You can teach your pup all sorts of skills and activities. You can also play rewarding games with your pup that will certainly encourage mental stimulation.

For example, you can wrap your pup’s treats inside different blankets and encourage him to find them. This way, your pup stays stimulated, and this prevents him from feeling upset or stressed out.

5.     Try Compression Wraps

This is one thing that is most likely to work for sure, especially if your pup is extra stressed out. It doesn’t matter if it’s general anxiety or general unhappiness that is bothering your furry friend. A compression wrap will work like a charm each time! You don’t even need to really purchase a compression wrap. All you need to really do is use an old scarf or an ace bandage or even just a T-shirt.

The whole point of a compression wrap is only to exert some pressure on your pup’s body so that he begins to feel calm and protected.

So the next time your pup seems ill at ease, do make sure to try these 5 tips to calm stressed out dogs. Remember, stress can be a killer, and a happy dog is a healthy dog! Always better to get rid of the problem as early on as possible.


by Maria A Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™

Facts About Animal Homelessness:

  1. Only 1 out of every 10 dogs born will find a permanent home.
  2. The main reasons animals are in shelters: owners give them up, or animal control finds them on the street.
  3. Each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters are too full and there aren’t enough adoptive homes. Act as a publicist for your local shelter so pets can find homes. Sign up for Shelter Pet PR.
  4. Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats.
  5. According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2% of cats and only 15 to 20% of dogs are returned to their owners.
  6. 25% of dogs that enter local shelters are purebred.
  7. About twice as many animals enter shelters as strays compared to the number that are relinquished by their owners.
  8. It’s impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States. Estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.
  9. Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. Overpopulation, due to owners letting their pets accidentally or intentionally reproduce, sees millions of these “excess” animals killed annually.
  10. Many strays are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.
  11. According to The Humane Society, there are about 3,500 brick-and-mortar animal shelters in the US and 10,000 rescue groups and animal sanctuaries in North America.

Here are a some adoptions for consideration:  puccicafe.com/adoptions