by Bridget Webber

Created on: November 05, 2008   Last Updated: March 21, 2011

If you have a nervous dog no doubt you will want to learn how to help him or her to relax. Dogs may be nervous for a variety of reasons including their breeding and past treatment. However, the number one cause for nervous behaviour in a dog is that they have learned from the past to behave this way, having taken their cue from their carers.

It may sound harsh but when you feel sorry for your dog and give it extra attention and cuddles when it seems frightened you only serve to strengthen the dogs association with whatever is making them feel nervous already and stressed. By comforting your dog you compound its fears that what is happening is bad and so worthy of comfort. After all, if everything was fine why make such a fuss?

I have learned this the hard way with my own dog who came from a rescue shelter. He was afraid of loud bangs, such as fireworks and thunder. I thought it kind to make a great deal out of the situation and give him attention. To my dismay his fears steadily got worse to the point where he would shake violently when ever he heard a loud bang.

My behaviour was a mistake that did the dog no favours. He saw me as pack leader, depended on me, and took his ideas about what was safe or not directly from me. All lavishing hugs and kisses on him when he was afraid did was to add to his reasoning that there really was something bad to fear.

To relax a dog you need to display relaxation. You have to show him or her with your body language that everything is fine and there is nothing to worry about. It is only natural for an animal to be a little fearful of that which they don't understand. A dogs automatic reaction is to hide when they are afraid. If you see your dog snuggle under a table when nervous don't add to fears by rushing over to make a fuss. Be kind, but only in the way you normally are with your dog. Know that when you behave in an abnormal way your dog will follow suit.

To relax a nervous dog an owner has to show him or her all is well in the world by behaving as they normally do. When your dog is afraid make sure that he or she is secure in your home, and carry on as normal with everyday life.

Relax your dog further by burning lavender aromatherapy oil. Dogs are very sensitive to smell and this remedy is most effective. If loud noises are going on outside practice distraction by playing music or by turning a television on.

You can help your dog associate that which they are afraid of with tasty morsels of food too. The one thing which can alter a frightened dogs mind is usually food. If this doesn't work though don't fret. The worst thing you can do is to become fearful, as your dog will sense this and get worse as a result.

As a drastic measure you can use tranquilisers from a veterinarian. These are best kept for absolute emergencies as they really can’t be great for long term, regular use.

The key to helping your nervous dog relax is to act like a relaxed role model, and to remember that dogs don't think like humans. While we respond well to comfort, they respond best to following cues and by assessing what’s going on around them.

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