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How do I calm my dog down?

Jaimie Scott
Dog Owner Trainer
Jaimie Scott has been training dog owners as the Owner of Jaimie Scott Dog Training in Sacramento, California for the past 15 years. Jaimie meets clients for 1-on-1 training, group classes (owners only, no dogs), as well as live video classes. Jaimie has published videos, blog articles, and eBooks to share tips for training and his personalized insight into dog behavior. With a focus on training the owners, Jaimie believes that dogs need to know who’s in control at any given time in order to feel secure and be happy. Jaimie holds a BS in Mathematics and Computer Science from Pacific University.

Jaimie Scott

Dog Owner Trainer

Expert Answer

The best response is to remove the dog from the situation as soon as possible and let him calm down on his own. Trying to train your dog while he's excited will only reinforce that behavior. Besides training, make sure your dog gets enough exercise, playtime, and chew time each day. Dogs that have an outlet for their energy are less likely to get excited and anxious.

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Question

My energetic 8 month dog is obedient to me but not my wife, and he even disobeys me when she is around. What can we do?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Consistency is key to good dog training, which means all members of the family must train the dog, react in the same way to bad behavior, and use the same commands. Beef up your dog's basic training by working on a rock solid, "Sit" and "Come" to control the dog when at home. Explain to your wife the importance of becoming involved in the dog's training. Write down a list of basic commands and their cue words and display it on the fridge. Show your wife how to get the dog to perform the desired action.

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Question

How do I get a dog to stop chasing things?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Movement is a strong trigger for the natural chasing instinct, so whilst you are training the dog, keep him on a long line. This enables you to give a command, and if it is not obeyed repeat the command and reel the dog in. Meantime, work on basic training so the dog listens to you, and teach commands such as "Sit" and "Look" which focus the dog's attention on you and stop him getting distracted by the moving object.

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Question

Why does my dog only let me touch her?

Community Answer

Some dogs are very skittish around people, and only let those whom they trust the most touch them.

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Question

Will calm music help?

Community Answer

Possibly it can. Calm music such as classical music can help to calm dogs down.

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Question

Is it possible that my older dog is faking injury or moping because I brought home a new dog?

Community Answer

It is possible that he is jealous or worried about the new dog. Introduce them slowly and don't forget to give your older dog plenty of love and attention. Keeping a routine can also help.

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Question

Our 2.5 year old dog is just starting to eat things around the house. We cannot trust him even when we are at home. He is crated a lot now because he eats everything. How can we correct this behavior?

Community Answer

Your dog could be doing this for a number of reasons. Try giving him a new chew toy, or something to keep him occupied while you’re away. Some stores sell bad-tasting sprays you can use on things he prefers to chew. Make sure he gets exercise frequently. It might be possible he has pica. Even though you might want to punish him, don’t — instead, praise him when he eats things he should be eating. If his behavior continues, contact a professional trainer.

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Question

My partner's dog is scared of me for no reason. How do I get the dog to be calm around me?

Community Answer

Be calm around the dog. Ignore him until he comes to you.

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Question

We got a Yorkie, and whenever we put him in his crate to sleep, he whines until we let him out; if we don't let him out he claws the walls of his crate. What can I do to stop this?

Corvin

Community Answer

You need to change your dog's perception of the crate to make it a positive one. He needs to enjoy being in their at anytime. Throw high value rewards into the crate so he will go in himself and start to see the crate as a wonderful place where great things happen. Don't give in to the whining, as you are reinforcing the behavior and he will do what works. Don't rush him, training is fluid and takes time and patience.

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Question

How can I relieve an anxious dog on an overnight stay?

Community Answer

Distract the dog by taking it for a walk around your neighborhood. That will also help it begin to feel comfortable in its new surroundings.

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Question

How can I stop my dog from barking when company comes?

Community Answer

Your dog may be doing this because he feels unsafe around so many new people. Try taking him in another room and introducing them slowly.

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Question

How do I calm a dog that is very aggressive?

Community Answer

Work with a professional trainer.

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Question

When will my dog stop shaking?

Community Answer

Dogs will shake when they are nervous, similar to how humans do. The best way to comfort an animal is NOT to pet it or try to coddle it while it is shaking. When you console an animal while it shakes you are telling it that the behavior is okay.

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Question

My dog keeps looking up at the ceiling? What is wrong?

Community Answer

Maybe there are critters on your roof.

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Question

Our labrador retriever is petrified of getting into a car. What will help calm him?

Community Answer

Follow the steps in the article. You must show him that the car is safe by going into the car with him.

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Question

What if my dog won't eat out of a dish anymore and wants to eat off the floor?

Community Answer

It means your dog is using its instincs. If this is a problem, try a feeding mat to place the food on.

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Question

How do I calm an excited puppy?

Little Tricky

Community Answer

Do not crate it. Go for a walk around the block or play in the yard to tire it.

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Question

Is it okay to give a dog a (human) Benadryl capsule when it is afraid of fireworks?

Community Answer

It is never okay to give a dog a medication that was designed to treat human ailments.

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Question

How can I get my dog to quit jumping on me and visitors?

Community Answer

If he does this whenever you walk in the door, immediately turn back around if he jumps on you. Re-enter the house until your dog figures out he only gets your attention when he keeps all four paws on the ground. To reinforce this, praise him only when he doesn't jump. Your dog will associate good things with staying calm when you enter the home. This way, he'll learn not to jump anymore.

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Question

How do I stop my dog from pulling on a leash?

Community Answer

Let your dog go on its way, but when it is time to change direction or head back home, just turn the dog or lead it in a circle, and then go to where you want.

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Question

How do I calm a dog when I let it in the house and it's very excited?

Community Answer

Give him a bit of time to settle and offer him a chewy treat.

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Question

How do I stop my dog from waking me up too early to go on his walk?

Community Answer

You may need to teach your dog a command that tells them to "go away" or "lay down." Once you teach him a command like that, you can teach your dog to wait until a specific time for their walk, and hopefully that will result in them waking you up later.

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Question

How long does it take a dog to get used to someone?

Community Answer

There is never a definitive time frame, it depends on a lot of factors. As long as the person and the dog are spending a lot of time together, it shouldn't take all that long.

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Question

Do you have any suggestions on making a dog tired so that he'll calm down and go to sleep?

Community Answer

Play with him a lot or take him to a dog park. I have an energetic Jack Russel terrier and he is always worn out after going to the dog park.

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Question

I have a beautiful White Swiss Shepherd who is 14 months old and sometimes skittish around new people. How can I reduce the skittishness and help her to feel confident and hold her ground?

Little Tricky

Community Answer

Try to calm her down by stroking her back gently or lightly rubbing her stomach. Take out a toy and try to distract her by playing. Slowly, she might start to feel more confident and less afraid about the new people.

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Question

My dog has extreme separation anxiety. He will bark sometimes 8 full hours when I leave. What is the best way to handle it?

Community Answer

Fill a Kong with peanut butter or yogurt, or get some other puzzle toys your dog can do when you are gone. You can also hire a pet sitter or take your dog to doggy daycare. You may find some helpful advice in wikiHow articles End Dog Separation Anxiety With Desensitization and Help a Dog with Separation Anxiety.

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Question

How do I calm a dog when he is anxious about having to go to the vet?

Community Answer

It can help if you take your dog to the vet just as a "social visit." Let the vet and staff pet him and interact with him in a positive way. It's also a good idea to buy a Thundershirt and put it on your dog every time you go to the vet.

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Question

How do I keep my dog from destroying my house when I leave?

Community Answer

It depends on the age of the dog. If it's a puppy, train them by leaving them in the kennel for short periods of times (5-10 minutes first, then increase the time as they get better). My dog is an adult and she has the same problem. What really helped her was turning on the TV - some kind of audio distraction that involves people talking. My dogs respond well to kids' shows.

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Question

My dog has been inside for hours because she is afraid of fireworks. How can I get her to go outside so she can use the bathroom?

Community Answer

I've learned that if you go outside with your dog, they can be calmer knowing their owner is there. If not, you might have to create an area inside the house that has puppy pads or towels for your dog to use temporarily.

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Question

How do I keep my 5 year old dog from getting anxious and clingy?

Little Tricky

Community Answer

Try to keep it close to you. Go on a short walk to calm it down, and once it settles, give it a treat. This will show it that fearfulness is not the answer, and the behavior should stop.

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