Busting Stress: 3 Tips To Help Avoid Canine Stress

Posted on: 28 December 2015

Share

Dogs get stressed just like humans. And, just as there are ways to reduce the potential of stress in human lives, the same is true with dogs. Here are a few ways you can help avoid stressing out your furry friend:

1. Don't Mess With Their Routine.

Believe it or not, your dog's normal routine has a lot to do with keeping it stress-free. Under all circumstances, you should never disrupt your dog's usual routine. If your dog is used to being fed the moment you get home from school or work, then don't delay your dog's dinner. If your dog is used to accompanying you on your morning run, stick to that every day. A simple change in their routine can result in unnecessary canine stress.

2. Do Play Some Classical Tunes.

According to one study, it appears that classical music may be able to reduce stress and anxiety levels in your four-legged friend. Classical music was found to be more effective in reducing stress in canines than other music that was specifically designed to calm them. In the study, the dogs were exposed to three different types of music for 45 minutes. Each dog's behavior was recorded at five-minute intervals. Heavy metal resulted in more unrest in dogs, while classical music stole the show with a far more relaxed behavior.

3. Don't Forget to Incorporate Play Time.

As a dog owner, you are able to reduce the stress that your pet is under by simply playing with them. According to scientific research, human contact with dogs can significantly lower the dog's stress levels. This is because human contact helps to keep them calm. The study examined shelter dogs, some of which were taken from the kennels for human interaction for 45 minutes a day and the others were left in their cages or runs with no interaction with humans. Over time, it was determined that the human-contact group of dogs had less cortisol hormone in their saliva. A separate study was conducted and found that 25 minutes of human contact and exercise each day improved the dog's scores on behavior testing.

Give Your Veterinarian a Call When in Doubt.

If you believe your dog may be suffering from severe stress, or you are unsure whether the behavior that your dog is exhibiting is stress-related, consult with a veterinarian immediately. He or she will be able to assess your dog's behavior and successfully determine if the problem is stress or something else. 

For emergency vet services, contact a facility such as Animal House Veterinary Hospital.