How to Calm Your Dog

Benefits of a Calm Dog

First, let’s discuss all the reasons it is worth it to help your dog relax when you are gone for a few hours. A calm dog offers several benefits for both your dog and you:

1. Better Stress relief for you: Interacting with a relaxed pet when you return from work is soothing and comforting. One of the main reasons many people have a pet is because the companionship and routines of caring for a pet offer a natural way to relieve stress.
2. Better behavior while you’re gone: When your dog is calm they are less likely to cause problems for you or your neighbors. They will bark, chew, and lick less, be less aggressive, and less destructive. (See benefit 1)
3. Better relationship between you and your dog: When your dog is calm while you’re away the bond of trust will grow. You will look forward to coming home to your best friend, and they will relax knowing they can trust you to return, happy to see them.
4. Better Health for your dog: Helping your dog stay calm contributes to their better overall health and a longer lifespan. Not only will you get to enjoy your time with your dog more, but you will most likely get more of it.
5. Better Quality of Life for you both: Living with a calm dog provides a more tranquil and enjoyable home environment. Everyone benefits.

It’s important to note that every dog is unique, and some breeds or individuals may naturally be more energetic or excitable. Brady is a miniature poodle and he sometimes makes up for his small stature with his insistent barks. For example, he is calm until he sees another dog approaching our carport, so when we are gone we pull the curtains to make it harder for him to watch out the window, as well as play music for him. Pay attention to your dog’s triggers and create an environment that will support your goal of helping them stay calm while you’re away. The benefits to you both make it well worth your time and effort.

Music Your Dog Can Dance To

I’m not advocating that your dog necessarily dance, but you can use music in a way to help keep them a bit more laid back, especially when you must leave them alone. Our little Brady suffered a bit of separation anxiety when we first moved to Kyiv, and we discovered music as a way to alleviate his anxiety, as well as help block out any outside sounds that would disturb him and get him wound up.

“Dog music,” is designed to be calming and soothing for our canine companions. It typically includes soft melodies and sounds that are believed to reduce stress and anxiety in dogs. We mix the genres up for Brady since he likes most music. You can find various playlists and tracks on streaming platforms like Spotify or YouTube specifically created for dogs. Some studies suggest that classical music or nature sounds can be beneficial for dogs, but individual preferences may vary. I’ve found that a steady pace without huge differences between songs works best for Brady. It’s nice to come home from a movie or dinner to find him relaxed, and often asleep if we’re careful and quiet when we approach.

As for actual dog dancing…check out the show We Are The Champions episode 5 on Netflix. Pretty cool.

Exercise

No matter what age, breed, or size, every dog needs regular exercise. Ask any dog owner and they will agree; a tired dog is calmer and better behaved. Regular exercise doesn’t just benefit them physically, it helps your dog learn they can trust you and their environment. Since Brady is a diabetic dog, exercise is especially important for him. However, we also have to be careful not to burn too much sugar. It’s a bit of a balancing act. You will get a feel for what your dog’s sugar level and energy level are during a normal day. Then you can recognize signs of distress on an extra long walk or hike. If you see they are getting over tired give them a snack. If they start stumbling, test them and give honey or corn syrup rubbed on their gums if their sugar level is too low. We never go out for a long walk with Brady without water, the testing kit, and honey.

Other Ways to Calm Your Dog

We do different things to keep Brady entertained and excited about life. Any destination out of the ordinary for a walk or visit is okay with our pooch. He is not always stuck in the house or the yard wishing he could go somewhere with us. We take him to visit parks, and dog-friendly restaurants whenever we can. He enjoys the adventure of a new place.

Through some fellow dog owners, we found a fantastic woman who dog-sits Brady when we travel; spend the day sightseeing in Bangkok; or stay somewhere overnight. He absolutely loves her. She usually has a few other dogs under her care….dogs that Brady knows and is friends with. That change of scenery makes our little guy very happy. He gets so excited and when she arrives to pick him up…he’s like, ” See you two later”! That makes it good for all of us. We put him in a kennel once back in the States. They were lovely people and took good care of him, but he was scared. We decided never to do that again. Sending him off happy to be with Ann feels much better.

There are also numerous calming herbal blends on the market for dogs. Brady does not need them at this point, but, as a believer in the benefit of natural roots and herbs’ ability to heal, I wouldn’t hesitate to use them, after some research and, of course, asking Brady’s vet. Checking with the vet is always a good plan with any dog, but with a diabetic dog, it is especially important because some ingredients might alter blood sugars or interact with his insulin.

Conclusion

Getting out for a walk in the woods or even doing the tango with your pooch will make you both happier, healthier, and calmer. Pet owners are more fulfilled than non-pet owners. I find it easy to understand why. As Julie and I have become better dog parents Brady is a more content and peaceful dog when we are home, and when we are out as well. A great deal of that comes down to putting in the time with him. When I do have to leave, he trusts me to come back. While I’m away, I give Brady what he needs to keep his mind relaxed and calm. I turn on some music, give him a nice pat, and tell him a joke when I head out. We’re both good with that.