How to Calm Dog Anxiety Naturally

Does your client’s puppy or dog get nervous or anxious when they’re about to leave for work or school? It’s common for dogs to experience separation anxiety, especially if they experienced abandonment from a previous owner or lived in a shelter environment. This type of canine behavior is treatable, and with the right management, you can help clients instil greater comfort and confidence in their pup, so they feel assured you’ll return and will always be there for them.

While it can be challenging to help a furry friend overcome dog anxiety, there are some valuable ways to work with your pup to provide a comfortable solution for pets. 

Read on to learn more about recognizing the symptoms of canine anxiety and how to help your clients manage them while making their puppy feel comfortable in various circumstances. 

We offer support for small pet business owners so that they can provide professional services, training, and resources for clients and their dogs.

What Are Dog Separation Anxiety Symptoms?

Whether a puppy is adopted by a reputable breeder or a rescue shelter, a pet owner may notice various signs of separation anxiety over a short period. While it may be difficult to prevent separation anxiety, early symptoms can help their dog adapt to life in their new home.

There are vital signs that a client’s pet may be developing dog anxiety, including:

• Destructive behavior, such as excessive chewing, biting, and barking. They might chew on objects more frequently or become stressed if a dog owner is getting ready to leave
• Shivering and whimpering may also occur when your puppy becomes anxious 
• A loss of appetite or sudden change in your dog’s feeding schedule

If a dog doesn’t display any of these signs, but you notice a significant change in behavior or personality, this may also be a symptom. Fortunately, many dog anxiety cases are mild or temporary until your pet becomes settled and well-adjusted.

What Causes A Dog’s Separation Anxiety?

Any pet can exhibit separation anxiety symptoms, though the most affected dogs have already experienced abandonment, abuse, or neglect from a previous pet owner. 

In cases of severe separation anxiety, a professional dog trainer or specialist in behavior modification may be required. In most cases, where a puppy is adopted from a safe and secure environment, mild separation anxiety may occur, which can be easier to treat and manage.

If you’re working with a new pet parent, there are initial signs and changes in a dog’s life which may cause separation anxiety to develop, including:

• The puppy is new to doggy daycare or temporary boarding in the event of a vacation or work schedule change
• A new puppy may feel initially uncomfortable in a new home after a move or major renovation, which can trigger anxiety
• Introducing a new pet sitter, family member, dog trainer, or someone unfamiliar with the pup
• Adopting another pet, whether a dog, cat, or another pet, can cause discomfort or concern in your dog
• Loud noises, or unknown sounds, such as a thunderstorm or loud construction outside, can cause storm phobia or similar fears

Puppies will quickly learn to recognize departure cues, which indicate you’re about to leave for the day, or just a few hours, which can trigger mild to severe anxiety. It’s essential to determine the underlying cause for your pet’s anxiousness, which can help you choose the right treatment, whether it’s a few changes at home or support from professional dog training or veterinary medicine.

You’ll often find that preventing separation anxiety is much easier when a dog is a puppy or newly adopted. Recognizing early signs is vital so you can choose the proper treatment or management plan for your client’s pup.

How to Treat a Dog’s Mild Separation Anxiety

When your client brings a new furry friend home, moves into a new house, or makes significant changes around a pet, they may notice mild to moderate canine anxiety symptoms. 

You’ll find the following ways to help a puppy adjust to their new surroundings while greatly reducing dog separation anxiety symptoms useful. 

Use Blankets or Clothing for Comfort

A soothing blanket, heavy coat, or similar clothing offers comfortable pressure to your pup’s tummy, which increases comfort in anxious dogs. It’s a simple but effective way to help a nervous dog cope with separation, unusual noises, travel, and stranger anxiety. You may find this treatment especially helpful for a puppy’s first visit to a veterinarian, giving them a sense of familiarity and security in the situation.

The American Kennel Club recommends the stress relief coat, which is designed to calm various pets and give them the support they need when facing anxiety-inducing situations. There are a variety of comforting garments for various pet sizes and breeds, from coats and sweaters to vests. 

You’ll often find that preventing separation anxiety is much easier when a dog is a puppy or newly adopted. Recognizing early signs is vital so you can choose the proper treatment or management plan for your client’s pup.

How to Treat a Dog’s Mild Separation Anxiety

When your client brings a new furry friend home, moves into a new house, or makes significant changes around a pet, they may notice mild to moderate canine anxiety symptoms. 

You’ll find the following ways to help a puppy adjust to their new surroundings while greatly reducing dog separation anxiety symptoms useful. 

Use Blankets or Clothing for Comfort

A soothing blanket, heavy coat, or similar clothing offers comfortable pressure to your pup’s tummy, which increases comfort in anxious dogs. It’s a simple but effective way to help a nervous dog cope with separation, unusual noises, travel, and stranger anxiety. You may find this treatment especially helpful for a puppy’s first visit to a veterinarian, giving them a sense of familiarity and security in the situation.

The American Kennel Club recommends the stress relief coat, which is designed to calm various pets and give them the support they need when facing anxiety-inducing situations. There are a variety of comforting garments for various pet sizes and breeds, from coats and sweaters to vests. 

Adjust the Environment

Loud noises, a busy environment, and commotion can increase a dog’s anxiety, even if these occurrences are familiar. If a client is preparing to leave or make a change that will impact their pup, dim the lights, play quiet music, and add some aromatherapy or natural scents to ease a pet’s anxiety. 

Setting a peaceful, calming space for your pet, even if it’s in another room, can make a major difference in their dog’s behavior. 

Try a Timeout for Pets

A crate is ideal for a quick timeout if your pup engages in destructive chewing or hard-to-manage behavior. It’s also a way to help your pet feel secure while preventing them from biting, scratching, or chewing on furniture, clothing, and other items in your home. Some dog crates are designed for a dog’s anxiety, with noise-blocking mechanisms and fans that provide fresh air circulation, reduced lighting, and minimal vibrations. 

More advanced pet crates, designed especially for anxiety, may offer motion sensors for fresh air circulation, music, and other soothing features to help dogs feel relaxed. You may find that your pup enjoys the crate so much that they may automatically visit it for self-comfort anytime they want to rest.

Implement Routine Exercise

If your client exercises regularly outdoors, they can bring their pup to bond and help their pet stay active. Jogging, walking, and playing in a nearby park are great opportunities to enjoy your pet while helping them relax when they return home. 

Dogs will enjoy the benefits of physical exercise, which helps them sleep better at night and reduce the signs of anxiety while improving mental health. 

Set a Regular Schedule at Home

When a pup gets used to your daily routine of breakfast, going to work, taking walks, and meal times, they will also learn to adapt when you leave for the day, which helps reduce anxiety. Dogs need to get accustomed to a set schedule to anticipate when their owner is available and feel more comfortable at home alone or with a pet sitter. 

Try Massage Therapy

Anxious behavior will cause muscle and joint tension, which can be alleviated with simple massage techniques. For effective results, start with gentle, circular massaging around a dog’s neck and head, working down with long movements, using one hand to hold your pet gently in place. Many pet owners quickly notice when and where massaging will reduce the signs of their pup’s anxiety disorder.

Cuddling and Physical Touch

A simple cuddle, a few kind words, and a pet or touch can ease your dog’s anxiety by giving them a sense of comfort and connection. A dog owner’s touch can go a long way to helping your pet feel settled and relaxed, which can reduce or stop anxious behavior early, especially when they’re a puppy.

Ideally,  cuddling, spending a few minutes with a pet on the sofa, or taking them for a quick walk and bonding before work or school in the morning. 

Final Thoughts

Many dogs and puppies experience separation anxiety, whether you adopt a German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, a Poodle, or various other breeds. 

While most puppies adopted from rescue shelters or have a history of abuse and neglect have a higher risk of developing anxiety, with the proper care and attention, you can support dog owners in supporting their pets and helping them feel more relaxed and reduce these symptoms over time. 

Bonding with a pet, showing affection, and spending free time with them can go a long way to preventing and treating canine anxiety while providing a sense of security.