Rest and relaxation for dogs are the basis for a beautiful dog life. Stress and above all fear should only occur to a small extent in life. But many four-legged friends find it difficult to simply lie down and switch off. How you can help your dog to more rest you can find out here.
Stress in dogs
If the body or mind are not balanced, chronic stress can occur. But even situations that are scary for your darling can lead to a short-term release of stress hormones. It is also important to meet the needs of your four-legged friend. For example, if your stomach growls, you are more easily irritated, who doesn’t know that? So if the needs are not fulfilled, it comes to stress.
Stress manifests itself among other things by panting, yawning, sweat paws, lack of concentration, vomiting, shaking, compulsive acts and in extreme cases disturbance of the immune system. Increased or even chronic stress also often leads to an increased anxiety behavior. Whoever feels unwell, also has more fear. Sounds logical, doesn’t it? You can find more about stress here.
Prevent stress
How can you reduce stress and prevent increased anxiety? Stress is reduced very well if you give your dog enough rest periods. A resting place is also a good place to promote relaxation. A training for impulse control and frustration tolerance also lowers the stress level. Because the more relaxed your darling is in everyday life, the faster he can come to rest.
What to do against fear?
Anxiety can be reduced by specific training, preferably accompanied by a dog trainer. It is important to find out where the fear comes from and to work on the cause. The dog can learn that he does not need to be afraid. If you strengthen your dog’s bond with you, he can better follow your lead. If your pet lacks self-confidence, he can orientate himself towards you in anxious situations.
Relaxation for dogs
Relaxation is the great counterpart to stress and fear. How is your dog relaxed? With the help of rest periods and resting places, it is easier for your dog to find peace and quiet. Conditioned relaxation can also be used.
For this purpose, a word e.g. Easy, a scent, a blanket or similar is conditioned with relaxation. This can then be used in stressful situations to help the dog find peace. If he is so stressed that he is hardly responsive, he can calm down through the conditioned relaxation so that he is reactive again.
Meaningful quiet activities, such as nose-, search- and chewing games, promote the mind and at the same time calm, because dogs are much more balanced and satisfied after a sense of achievement and therefore sleep better.
A stable relationship of trust also works wonders against stress. The dog needs trust not only in you, but also in his environment and the daily routine. If the dog knows when something happens, it is easier for him to deal with it. Trust also means that there are rules in living together. Rules for dogs are like legal regulations for us humans. We feel comfortable and know in which areas we are allowed to move.
Calm and relaxation is mostly effective against stress and fear in the life of a dog. Let us do our part and be there for our dogs, set up rules and not overstrain them.
Summary
A relaxed dog, is a happy dog. Relaxation for dogs is very important. But not every dog finds it easy to come to rest. We have to make sure that his needs are met and provide him with the necessary support so that he can relax.