Experiencing stress in your canine companion? Discover strategies for aiding in their recovery process.
In an effort to support certified dog behavior coaches, the Calm Canine Academy has compiled a wealth of resources to help dog owners navigate the challenges of a stressed canine. Here are some effective methods, as summarized by the Academy, to help your dog recover from a stressful experience.
First and foremost, prioritizing emotional safety is crucial. Creating a calm and secure environment with predictable routines, quiet rest areas, and avoiding overwhelming or overstimulating situations will help your dog feel safe and secure, rather than just well-behaved.
The holistic approach advocated by the Calm Canine Academy extends beyond traditional training methods. Nutritional support targeting gut health, calming herbs under professional guidance, bodywork techniques like massage and TTouch, chiropractic care, and low-stress enrichment activities such as decompression walks are all recommended to regulate the nervous system and reconnect the dog with its body after stress.
Understanding that healing is nonlinear, the Academy emphasizes the importance of patience and empathy. Progress may fluctuate, with days of confidence followed by setbacks, so it's essential to remain patient and offer continued support.
Decompression walks, calm, pressure-free walks designed to let the dog unwind physically and mentally, are emphasized as a crucial recovery tool to reduce stress and reactive behaviors. Behavioral techniques like focusing on the "heel" command can also help refocus anxious or reactive dogs' energy and build trust, thereby supporting calmness and recovery.
The overall approach includes encouraging calmness, confidence, and control, helping dogs become resilient and relaxed, not just obedient. Encouraging rest is equally important, as stressed dogs require 18-20 hours of sleep a day, but may need more after a stressful event. Offering dogs calmer, more relaxing activities can also help them recover from stress.
It's important to note that recovery from a stressful experience can take more than 48 hours. If a dog is taking longer than expected to recover, it might be a good idea to speak to a vet. Different medications for stress management may be considered to help dogs recover from stress.
Lastly, the Calm Canine Academy suggests facilitating high quality, uninterrupted sleep in cool, dark, quiet places for stressed dogs. While it's not just about giving them treats, plenty of cuddles, play, treats, and chews can also help dogs recover from stress.
In conclusion, the Calm Canine Academy advocates a holistic, patient, and emotionally supportive approach incorporating environmental management, physical and emotional care, and gentle behavioral focus for effective stress recovery in dogs.
- Providing nutritional support targeting gut health is one of the holistic methods recommended by the Calm Canine Academy to help a stressed dog recover.
- Creating a calm and predictable environment with rest areas and avoiding overstimulating situations contributes to the emotional safety of a stressed dog.
- Massage, TTouch, and chiropractic care are bodywork techniques recommended by the Calm Canine Academy to regulate a dog's nervous system and aid in its recovery from stress.
- Low-stress enrichment activities like decompression walks are essential for reducing stress and reactive behaviors in stressed dogs.
- Dealing with a stressed dog requires patience and empathy, as progress may fluctuate and followdays of confidence with setbacks.
- If a dog is taking an unusually long time to recover from a stressful experience, consulting a vet about potential medications for stress management may be necessary.
- While treats, play, and cuddles are not the only means to help a stressed dog recover, they can be beneficial in supporting its quality of life during the healing process.
