Each dog has a different and very marked personality that makes it unique. Some dogs are quiet, some are shy, some are playful, and there are some very nervous dogs. The problem is that nerves can be a stress and behavioral problem that can affect your he alth if left untreated.
It is important that you find out what is causing him to be nervous. It may be due to a he alth problem, due to inadequate environmental conditions, due to poor education, due to the reinforcement of that attitude or for any other reason that you, as a caregiver, will detect better than anyone. In this article on our site we are going to teach you 5 steps to relax a very nervous dog so that you can avoid major he alth problems.
Nervous symptoms
When a dog is very nervous, it shows it through easily recognizable gestures and attitudes. The problem appears when nervousness begins to affect the he alth of your furry.
At first glance, an excited dog won't sit still for a second. He will run, jump and wag his tail violently Also, if the nerves are caused by something he doesn't like, the dog may try to run away, develop dependency on his owners, experience tremors and even become aggressive.
In addition, your he alth may deteriorate because, if your nerves do not improve, you may lose your appetite or suffer from hair loss, for example. This is why it is so important to know some tricks to relax a very nervous dog and balance it to improve its happiness and well-being.
1. Long and quality rides
Many times the dog's nerves are due to the fact that he has a lot of energy that he does not burnOne way to make the dog calm is to provide him with long and quality rides, always adapted to his pace and condition. Allow them to sniff trees and urine of all kinds (don't worry, if they've been vaccinated you don't have to be afraid) because that way they relax and get to know their surroundings.
During the entire walk you must transmit to the dog an active but relaxed attitude at the same time. Avoid over-excitement or anxiety of any kind. Although it is advisable to practice exercise on every walk, remember that some games, for example ball games, can create anxiety in the dog. Opt for obedience exercises, start him in agility or go jogging with the dog once he finishes doing his business. Also, in order to relax a dog, it is highly recommended that he be able to socialize with other dogs whenever possible.
two. Watch your attitude
Your emotional state will be reflected in the dog, so you must be calm Breathe calmly and speak softly to the dog whenever possible for you. Also, you should avoid punishment, especially when he is extremely excited
On the contrary, rewards calm attitudes, whether at home or away from it. You can use food, but a caress or a kind word can also be very effective in relaxing a very nervous dog.
3. Avoid very active games at home
When you're at home, it's better to practice quiet games, so that the dog understands that home is a relaxed space. We will leave activities that involve jumping and running for when we are in the park.
Don't forget that kong is an excellent tool for dealing with dog anxiety in the home. It is a food-dispensing toy that, due to its structure, makes it difficult for the dog to eat everything at once. In this way, it will keep you entertained for a long time. Plus, it's great for combating separation anxiety and relaxing a very nervous dog.
4. Pet it
At a time when he is behaving well, take the opportunity to pet him for a long time. Start slowly at the head and work your way down the rest of the body On our site we show you how to properly pet a dog to relax a very nervous dog. Physical contact is essential for the dog, a sociable and affectionate creature.
Caresses, apart from relaxing him, strengthen your affective bond, so don't hesitate and spend a little more time with your best friend.
5. Contact a professional
If you've tried all these tricks and still can't relax a very nervous dog, it's time to contact a professional who will help both of you improve. It is important to highlight that there are several figures that we can turn to in these cases:
- Olistic veterinarian: this figure, apart from offering us advice from a medical point of view, can advise us drugs and homeopathy products to help relax a very nervous dog. Among some homeopathic remedies for nervous dogs, we can highlight belladonna, linden or chamomile.
- Dog trainer or educator: the main function of a dog trainer is to achieve harmony between dog and person, mainly focused on obedience. If your dog, in addition to being nervous, does not follow your instructions, it would be a good idea to go to this professional.
- Ethologist: The ethologist is a licensed veterinarian who is also trained in ethology, a branch of zoology that studies animal behavior. He is probably the most suitable professional figure for serious cases and in which immediate intervention is required.