March 21st, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

Dogs are creatures of habit, which means they love routines, if there is a sudden change to these routines it can cause your dog to become stressed or anxious. As your dog's caregiver, you're responsible for making sure he or she has the best possible living environment, including helping to calm and reassure them during stressful periods! Here are five easy tips to make sure your dog is living a happy, healthy life:

How to identify stress in dogs

Before understanding how to help a pup who is feeling stressed, it is just as important to be able to spot the signs of stress. Dogs can become stressed for a wide range of reasons including boredom, anxiety, changes in routines or changes around the home that may have disturbed their sense of security.

When dogs start to feel stressed they will display a wide range of symptoms. Some of these include excessive panting, urinating around the home, excessive barking, reduced or increased appetite, destructive behaviour or in some cases aggressive behaviour. So if you begin to notice these sorts of changes in behaviour try these five easy tips to make sure your dog is living a happy, healthy and stress-free life:

Reassure don't discipline

If your pooch starts displaying negative behaviours that they haven't previously such as chewing, urinating in the home etc. Then more often than not your first instinct will be to discipline them. Doing so will just increase the stress your pooch is currently feeling and while it may put a stop to a certain behaviour they are likely to develop different coping mechanisms, however, if this is unusual behaviour it usually means there is an underlying issue. Instead of telling your dog off, try offering reassurance by removing them from the area that may be causing them stress or spending time petting them to make them feel more secure. 

Take your dog on a walk.

Exercise is a great way for dogs to relieve stress so try taking your dog out on a long walk. This is also a great way to bond with them too so will help to reassure them of their safety. It's recommended that dogs get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, so if your dog has not been getting this recently it may be the cause of their stressed-out behaviour.

It's important to remember that every dog has different needs when it comes to how often they should go on walks: some breeds are more active than others; some dogs need more time off from their regular routine than others; some older dogs may not be physically able to walk as far as younger pups. So, be sure to keep an eye on their condition during their walks and adjust the length or number of walks if necessary once you have the routine perfected be sure to stick to it!

Get your dog engaged in play.

Playing with your dog is important for their well-being. It can help them to reduce stress and prevent boredom, which are two common causes of bad behaviour in dogs. Playing with your dog will also strengthen the bond between you and ensure that both of you have fun!

Here are some ways to get started:

·        Take them outside for walks or to play in the garden.

·        Play fetch with a ball or stick (or anything else they'll chase).

·        Teach them new tricks, like "sit" or "shake hands."  You can do this by giving treats when they perform correctly, then repeating until they've mastered it before moving on to something else!

·        Treat them to new toys that can help to keep them entertained and stimulate them.

Keep your dog socialized.

Socialization is important for dogs after all they are pack animals and dogs who are well-socialized have a better chance of becoming well-adjusted members of society, and they can interact with other dogs and humans much more easily. Socializing your dog also helps them learn to be comfortable in new places like the vet or groomer's office which can help to reduce any stress that can be caused by these experiences.

When you bring home a puppy, start introducing them to different people, places, animals and situations as soon as possible so that when they're older there won't be any surprises when it comes time for them to meet new people or go on an adventure together!

Create a relaxing place of their own.

Create a comfortable space in your home where your pup can go to take some time to relax on their own and remove themselves from stressful situations. Make sure the space is cool in summer and warm in winter, easily accessible and has enough space for them to really stretch out! Be sure to include some other things that will add extra sources of comfort such as their favourite blankets and toys! Try to create this space in an area where there is minimal noise and don’t forget to consider your pup's personal preferences - for example, if they usually like to hide under blankets or bed give them an enclosed bed or place a blanket over their cage.

Train your dog to feel comfortable when separated from you.

Separation anxiety can be a big problem for dogs and can be a major cause of stress, especially if they have gotten used to you being at home often and this suddenly changes. Of course, we understand this is unavoidable after all you cannot stay home at all times, so it is important to get your dog used to these changes slowly.

·        Crate training your dog is one of the easiest ways to help him feel comfortable when you're not around.

·        Consider having someone else that your pooch knows and trusts to take them out for walks while you're busy working or running errands. This way he gets exercise and socialization in addition to being able to relax at home while waiting for his owner's return.

·        Having created a safe space for your pup as mentioned above will also give them a place to go where they feel comfortable as they wait for your return.

·        Start off slowly by leaving your dog for short periods of time before gradually increasing the time

·        Finally, be sure to spend lots of time with your dog when you are together and give them lots of affection.

If you have a dog that gets stressed out easily, keep these tips in mind to help reduce their feelings of stress and to keep both you and your pup happy and healthy!