Having a nervous dog can be nerve-wracking for pup parents. Trips out to visit friends, holiday breaks with the family, and mornings in a dog-friendly workplace can all be tricky to manage if your canine pal struggles in new environments.
But we also know that our four-pawed pups don’t want to be left home alone and miss out on spending time with you. That’s why we’ve put our heads together to come up with a few tips on helping your dog relax in a new place - nervous dogs need calm and security so we know you'll be gentle and slow in introducing in new environments when possible. For more ideas, you could also check out our guide to settling a dog in a new home.
Above you can see a member of our Canine Crew, Dasher, walking into the office with his owner and human team member, Simon – heading into the office was a new experience for Dasher! Read on to find out how to calm a dog in a new environment or click the button below to book a dog-friendly cottage and gently put this guide into practice.
Tips to calm a dog:
Make sure your dog has a safe space
A quiet area dedicated to your dog can make a world of difference to your canine pal feeling safe and secure in a new environment.
If your office is a dog-friendly work environment, then under the desk is a great place for your dog to call their own. In a holiday cottage or at a friend’s house, there might be a room or cubby area where your dog can retreat to if they need their own space. Let your dog decide when they want to be on their own and when they want to be with you.
Bringing familiar items with comforting smells can make all the difference too - bring your dog’s bed and perhaps one or two comforting toys to help create that safe space. If your dog is often nervous and struggles when left alone, you could also take a read of our blog: how to help your dog with separation anxiety.
How to calm a panting dog?
If you see your dog panting heavily then the first thing to do is remove them from the situation. Take your dog somewhere calm away from the hustle and bustle, where they can start to relax.
Keep your dog entertained with distractions
Distraction can work wonders! If your dog is starting to whine, pace or generally looking a bit nervous, then distract them with a toy, treat or attention.
Using an object to distract your dog simply changes the situation. You could encourage gentle play (nothing too rough), stroke them or interact with your pup pal in some way to calm them down.
The most important thing is to remain calm yourself while you interact with your dog. This way, they’ll learn that there’s nothing to be afraid of and, over time, are likely to mimic your demeanour.
How do you calm down a dog?
It can be stressful wondering how to calm a dog down in the moment, so preparation is key and will save both you and your pup pal additional anxiety.
Below, we talk more in-depth about music therapy and calming tablets that you can get for your dog, but the first way you can help your canine pal is to prepare their favourite things – such as their favourite food, comforting toy, or puzzle game which can all help distract a dog.
Add exercise throughout your day
Pepper in plenty of exercise into your day wherever you are to keep your dog calm and settled. Exercise is great for anxious dogs and anxious humans – taking your dog outside every hour for example is the perfect way to get the blood pumping and get the adrenaline flowing so that your dog feels more confident and calm.
It’s also a great way to release any pent-up energy and tire your canine pal out too so they can enjoy a snooze under the desk or in a quiet room afterwards.
How to calm an overactive dog?
If your dog is overactive, it might mean they haven’t had enough exercise that day to stimulate them.
Before you enter a new environment, if you already know your dog is likely to be bounding all over the place, you could start the day with a long walk so that your pup is able to fall asleep when you arrive at work, the office or your holiday let.
Let your dog sniff around the space
A dog’s nose is a powerful thing and a real tool in their arsenal – let your pup pal use it! Give your dog a chance to explore and smell the new environment at their own pace. No pressure and they’ll soon gain confidence. If you are in an office environment or another busy place with lots of people, then the hustle and bustle may be part of the reason your canine companion is struggling. Why not take a look at our blog on how to build your dog’s confidence around strangers before taking them into a busy workplace?
Another way to help an anxious dog is to let them stop and smell environments while you are out exercising. When on a dog walk, make sure you give your dog time and extra lead so they can have a sniff about.
Getting the chance to have a good smell offers your pup more mental stimulation and allows them to gain confidence meaning they will be more tired and relaxed afterwards.
Create a routine in the new space
If your dog is likely to spend more than a day in the new environment, you could try and create a simple routine to reassure your four-pawed pal.
Dogs do love routine so something as simple as entering the office or cottage the same way each day, walking the same route every lunchtime, and giving treats after certain events of the day may help your dog settle - if you really want to spoil your dog, why not try making your own with one of our homemade treat recipes?
Play calming music made for dogs
If you’d like to try something different, there are plenty of therapies out there that have been developed for our canine friends and one of the easiest therapies to try is dog music therapy.
It’s free and there are certain sounds and melodies offered online that appear to reassure and relax our four-pawed pals. The bonus is that playing calming music can also block out other scary noises that your dog may be sensitive to in a new place, such as traffic noise, doors shutting and loud groups of people.
How to teach a dog to settle
Practice by spending time at home relaxing with calming music on and rewarding relaxing behaviours. Things like sniffing the dog bed, sitting on their bed, lying down, sighing, and head resting can all be rewarded with small bite-sized treats dropped onto the floor, and stay calm while you do this.
Always make sure your dog is having a good time while settling so they learn it’s a positive behaviour.
What to pack to help calm your dog
There are all sorts of dog-calming products you can try, from calming dog beds to treats! The most important things to bring along have to be your family pet's favourite chew toy, their usual bed or blanket and a water bowl too.
Overall, you want to pack things that will reassure your dog and help create a relaxing, comfortable space. Here's a round-up of the top things you'll need if you're taking your dog into a new environment – take items that you know your four-pawed pal is familiar with so he or she will recognise the smells and feel comforted.
What to pack:
- Dog bed or blanket
- Dog lead
- Water and bowl
- Food and bowl
- Familiar toys
- Your dog’s favourite treats
- A puzzle/snuffle game
Plan a pet-friendly holiday
If you think these tips could help you and your dog, a quiet holiday cottage may be the perfect place for your anxious canine to practice being in a new but calm environment.
Take a look through our dog-friendly holiday homes and find an inspiring place for your next trip with the family pet.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.