As much as we might want to make our pups’ lives as happy and stress-free as possible, our dogs might experience stressful events on occasion.
Things as simple as unfamiliar scents and noises can stress dogs out, along with the sort of major life events that can stress humans out, too – like moving. Your dog might have a stressful experience with another dog, perhaps one that’s off-leash while you’re out and about.
But whatever the stressful experience your pup goes through, you’ll likely be wanting to know how you can help them recover – it can sometimes be a little more complex than just giving them a few of the best dog treats!
Fortunately, the certified dog behavior coaches at the Calm Canine Academy have got some advice to share, so we’ll all know what to do the next time our dogs go through something stressful.
“It takes well over 48 hours for our dogs to recover from a stressful experience,” the Calm Canine Academy coaches explain. “In the recovery period your dog may be more sensitive or easily triggered.”
So, what can we do to support them?
First, they recommend encouraging your dog to rest – dogs need 18-20 hours of sleep a day as a general rule, but they’ll probably need more after a stressful event. “Facilitate high quality, uninterrupted sleep in cool, dark, quiet places,” they advise.
And when your dog is awake, it’s best to avoid more intense environments. Try not to walk them in busy areas, for example, or take them anywhere that could be a little overwhelming. Often, dogs struggle with multiple high-stress activities or experiences soon after one another.
What you can do instead is offer them calmer, more relaxing activities. Plenty of cuddles and lots of play will always help, as well as treats and chews, and quiet walks where they can sniff to their heart’s content – do you know why you should let your dog sniff on a walk? This can help bring their nervous system back into regulation, while meeting the rest of their needs at the same time.
“Your pup will likely not be at their best after a stressful event,” the coaches continue, “Be sure to lower expectations around their responsiveness to cues and emotional regulation so you can set them up for success.”
If your pup is taking longer than you’d expect to recover from a stressful experience, however, it might be a good idea to speak to a vet. You might be able to look at different medications for stress management to help them.
You might find these 32 ways to destress your dog handy, while this article may also be useful: Eight reasons why your dog is anxious (and how to help them).
