Anxiety, stress or restlessness. Whatever we call it, this kind of mood isn't just a human problem. Dogs may also feel bad mentally from time to time, and their behavior may change. Just as we need help when we are in such a mood, dogs also expect support. A dog experiencing anxiety, stress or restlessness will undoubtedly provide the best support for its owner. If your dog is in such a mood, there are many things you can do for him. But first you need to observe the signs of restlessness in your dog. Dogs use body language a lot to communicate. You can better understand what your dog means by paying attention to what they want to express with their body language. Here are the symptoms of restlessness in dogs.
-Shake
-Keep on alert
-Don't bark for no reason
-Aggressive attitudes
-Lip licking
-Frequent yawning
-Loss of appetite
-Salivation increase
-Fast heart rate
-Skin rashes
-Excessive weight gain
If your dog is showing some of these signs and you think your dog is restless, you should give him some support. Here are some effective ways to calm your dog down:
1. Open music
When you feel bad, don't you turn on your favorite music and suddenly your mood changes? The same goes for dogs. Music helps reduce stress and anxiety in dogs. Studies show that music with a particularly calm tone slows the heart rate, lowers cortisone levels, and reduces other stress symptoms in dogs. If you don't know what music to turn on, you can find dog calming playlists on many digital platforms.
2. Benefit from aromatherapy
Aromatherapy also works for dogs. It is possible to calm an anxious dog with aromatherapy oils. However, you have to be a little careful while applying it. Aromatherapy oils that you will use for your dog must be veterinary approved and suitable for use by animals. Also, when applying aromatherapy oils to your dog, you can usually rub it on your dog's neck or back. You should not apply the oil to an area where your dog is likely to lick, or to an area close to his nose.
3. Exercise
Who wouldn't be good to take a walk when your mood is low? If you think your dog is restless, you can exercise. In this way, you can help your body get rid of the extra energy and reduce stress. If your dog is hyperactive, you can take frequent breaks while playing, ask your dog to sit and wait during each break, while making eye contact with him. During breaks when your dog is doing these calming exercises, you should not allow himself to be distracted by other dogs. Excessive social stimulation can stress your dog out more than calm them down.
4. Practice calming tactics
You can reduce your dog's stress by practicing some calming tactics. For example, you can put your dog in a dim room with no external stimuli. Don't think of it as a punishment. You can leave a few pieces of clothing in this room. In this way, your dog can be calmed by some time alone. Sometimes you can also apply physical contact. You can gently pet your dog, let him feel your body temperature, and wait for him to calm down.
5. Reinforce
Reward your dog for reinforcing his positive behaviors. Teach him that behaviors such as jumping, barking, hyperactive tendencies that increase his stress are wrong. Do not make eye contact with your dog or touch your dog when he exhibits negative behavior. When you ignore him, your dog will calm down and stop that stress-indicating behavior.
Apart from all these, there is another very important thing you should pay attention to; If your dog is stressed or restless, be sure to review yourself. Dogs are very influenced by the mood of their owners. Your dog may be taking your stress or restlessness.
Finally, I wanted to add a different topic. Changing assumptions with curiosity is acting with self-respect. The questions we ask ourselves are an opportunity to shake up the stories we carry and hold on to. I've prepared questions for you to reveal yourself when you're ready to see who you really are.
Instead of assuming your body is bad, you might ask: Where did I get the idea that some bodies are good and some bodies are bad?
Instead of assuming that others must feel a certain way about you, you can ask these questions: What would it be like to let other people have their own feelings instead of trying to assume I always knew what those feelings were?
Instead of assuming that there is something wrong with you, you can ask the question: What has happened in my life that could have made it difficult for me, and how can I show myself mercy for it?
Instead of assuming you can't change it, you can ask: What is one of the factors that make it difficult for me to change?
Instead of assuming that other people are better than you, you can ask the question: Do I really believe that any person is inherently better than another? Or am I just doing this to be tougher on myself?
Instead of assuming you're not successful, you might ask: How do I measure success and what should I do to feel more aligned with it?
Instead of assuming you're behind, you can ask:
Where did I get the idea that I should follow someone else's timeline?
