How To Calm A Stressed Dog

As a pet owner, you know how important it is to be able to calm your dog. A calm dog is much more amenable to training, visits to the vet’s office, and to those trying trips to the groomer’s.

One technique for calming your dog involves a sort of massage therapy.

Start at the head, applying enough pressure to be felt on the skin, but not enough to cause discomfort. Neither should your touch be light enough to be perceived as a tickle.

Stroke gently downward from the top of the head, lengthening the stroke as you progress. Continue stroking down the spine until you are eventually stroking the entire length of the body, from the top of the head to the tip of the tail, with slow, gentle motions.

This motion massages along the nerve paths contained in the spine.

Next, expand the massaging motions outward. Gently massage your dog’s ears. You can use this opportunity to check for any problems in the ear itself.

As you move toward your pet’s face, you can gently lift his lips to do a quick check of his teeth and gums. Now, move over the shoulders and down the legs to the feet with gentle yet firm strokes.

Continue this action with the rear legs. Finally, pay some attention to your pet’s toes. Your pet, and you, should be totally relaxed by this time, and ready for anything the vet or the groomer has to throw at him.

Conversely, another technique may be used to arouse your pet. Quick, playful strokes around his head, shoulders, and body will quickly arouse him and increase his energy levels. Make sure that the dog is restrained when you do this, as you don’t want him to get away from you in this energized state.

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