Humans aren’t the only sentient beings who experience fear and anxiety. Anxiety can be crippling for dogs, too. According to the American Kennel Club, anxiety affects all breeds of dogs and can lead to serious behavioral problems if left untreated. If you’ve ever experience anxiety, you know it can be debilitating, scary and difficult to understand. Help your dog live a happier, healthier life with the following ways to alleviate your dog’s anxiety:
1. Try snug, anxiety-relieving clothing
Ever heard of Thundershirt? This brand of dog clothing was created when Founder Phil Blizzard realized that swaddling his dog in a snug wrap calmed her throughout her most anxious moments during thunderstorms. Since, dog owners have found great success with relieving their pet’s anxiety — regardless of the source — using this comforting alternative to traditional medicinal treatment. If you’re thinking about giving Thundershirt a try, check out their selection here!
2. Create a special music playlist for your pup
Jamming out to our favorite tunes helps humans relieve anxiety, and studies show that certain music styles help dogs feel anxiety relief, too! According to The Dogington Post, when selecting music to relieve your dog’s anxiety, you should prioritize songs with smooth, long notes rather than focusing on particular genres. Consistent rhythms, soft instruments and natural sounds can also reduce your dog’s anxiety, but it’s important to remember that every dog’s preference is different!
3. Give your dog lots of love and exercise
If your dog doesn’t receive the appropriate amount of attention or exercise, this could result in excess energy, causing your pup to experience anxiety. If your pet is showing signs of mild to severe anxiety, consider extending your walking routine and cuddle time with your pup. Depending on the source of your dog’s anxiety, this could be the easy, quick solution you’ve always dreamed of.
4. Keep Fido’s living space clean
Dirty, unorganized living areas cause anxiety for many humans, and dogs are no different! It’s important to not only limit the clutter in your dog’s living space, but also to make sure you’re keeping Fido’s space clean after he does his business. If you live in the Denver, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Phoenix or Atlanta metro areas, our Scoop Soldiers are here to do the dirty work so you don’t have to. Call us at (877) 930-POOP to schedule your first service for free!