Help Your Dog Relax in Stressful Situations 🛋️

Hey there,

Is your pup feeling a little on edge? Whether it’s a summer thunderstorm, a neighbor’s noisy party, or the chaos of a multi-dog household, stress can sneak up on even the happiest dogs.

Let’s help your furry friend stay calm, cool, and collected; no matter what life throws their way.

Overcoming Loud Noise Anxiety

Fireworks or thunderstorms? No problem. With the right prep, you can help your dog handle the booms and bangs like a pro.

• Create a calm retreat: Set up a cozy, sound-dampened spot with their bed or crate, ideally in a quiet room. Add a favorite blanket or toy for comfort.

• Try calming aids: Products like thunder shirts or calming pheromone diffusers can work wonders. White noise machines or soothing music can also help drown out the noise.

• Desensitize over time: Practice playing low-level recordings of fireworks or thunder, gradually increasing volume as your dog stays calm.

• Pro tip: Reward your pup with treats or praise when they stay relaxed to build positive associations with stressful sounds.

How to Be a Good Doggy Neighbor

Keeping the peace is key if you live in a multi-dog household or near other pet families. Here’s how to make life a little more harmonious:

• Respect personal space: Dogs, like humans, need alone time. Watch for cues like growling or retreating, and give them space as needed.

• Encourage positive play: Reinforce good behavior with treats or praise when your dog plays nicely or listens to commands like “leave it.”

• Teach sharing skills: Supervised training sessions can help dogs share toys, food, and attention without tension.

• Pro tip: If things get heated, separate the dogs briefly to reset their energy before reintroducing them.

Creative Indoor Games

Rainy day? No sweat, your dog can still have a blast indoors. Try these boredom busters:

• Scent scavenger hunt: Hide a few treats around the house and encourage your dog to sniff them out.

• DIY obstacle course: Use furniture and household items to build a mini agility course; jump over cushions, crawl under tables, and weave through chairs.

• Interactive toys: Invest in a puzzle feeder or create your own with a muffin tin and tennis balls.
  

• Pro tip: Rotate toys and games to keep things exciting and prevent boredom.

Does your dog have a unique way of dealing with stress? Share your tips or photos with us, we’d love to feature them in an upcoming issue! 🐾

Best regards,
The Adoring Dogs Team