Every dog owner knows that our canine friends respond to and pick up on how we’re feeling! A recent study has shown that over longer periods of time, the level of stress exhibited by dogs followed that of their owners. So it turns out, if you’re feeling super-stressed, your dog might be too! We can’t always control our own stressors or environment, but there are some simple steps you can take to help keep your dog feeling happier. Read on to find out how you might be able to reduce stress in your dog!
Get moving!
Just as exercise can help beat the blues in humans, it’s also an essential part of keeping your dog both mentally and physically healthy. Out on adventures, our dogs are exposed to many more stimuli than they would be at home, which helps keep their mind active. It can also help to tire them out so that they’re calmer around the house!
Keep calm
As we’ve already noted, dogs are fantastic at picking up on their owner’s emotions. This means that in difficult situations, if you show them you’re anxious, they’ll become anxious too! Try to remain calm around your furry friend. If your dog is feeling nervous, a reassuring voice from you could make all the difference!
Play games
As well as physical exercise, mental stimulation is also important to help reduce stress in your dog. Providing them with enough toys is important. There are many puzzle-based toys on the market for dogs that reward them with a treat once they’ve worked out how to complete it. A good old game of tug of war with an appropriate toy can also work wonders!
Familiar smells
If you’re taking your dog somewhere new, or to a location you know might be difficult for them, try taking some familiar smells along! Carrying their old toys, or an item of clothing you’ve worn recently might give them a sense of security and prevent them from feeling too stressed out.
Spend time together
There’s nothing your dog will love more than spending time with you! Even if you just curl up on the sofa for an evening and have a few cuddles, your dog will appreciate having you around. If you’re at work for long hours this could be especially important. Dogs don’t like being on their own for too long, so spending time with them when you’re at home could make a big difference to their mental wellbeing!
Our dogs give us so much love and affection, and can be fantastic at helping us deal with our own mental health. So it’s only fair that we give them a bit of help in return, and hopefully we’ve given you an idea of how to do just that! You might also want to think about taking out dog insurance to help protect your pooch. At The Insurance Emporium, we offer a variety of flexible Dog Insurance policies, with cover for Vet’s Fees up to £8,000* as a Standard Benefit. We also offer up to 30% discount^ on our policies. Head to The Insurance Emporium today to find out more!
* Cover for Vet’s Fees up to £8,000 available on lunar monthly Lifetime Gold policies.
^ The 30% discount is made up of 20% Introductory Discount plus 10% Multi-pet Discount (if appropriate). The Introductory Discount is available for the first 12 premium payments on lunar and calendar monthly policies or one premium payment on annual policies.
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