Relaxation Day

Now while I don’t condone that there’s a “day” for literally everything in the world, I have to say Relaxation Day brings up a great point, and one that I think more people should pursue for themselves and their dogs.  

This day and age has many demands, for us and our dogs.  We have work, school, grocery shopping, random tangents of life that suddenly crop up, and it’s no different for our dogs.  They face daily separation from their humans, their walks aren’t as long as they’d like, they don’t get to pick their dinner time, how many treats they get…life’s a lot for everyone.  

So, what to do?  Try to treat yourself and your dog.  Relaxation can be anything you want it to be, for you.  For your dog, it can be a lot of things you may not have thought of.  Today we’re going to break down what can calm and soothe your dog into a relaxed, zen state, and build your bond in the process. 

Relaxation Music

White noise and soothing music isn't just for us humans, it can help your dog too.  Think about the impact calming music has on our emotional state. We hear relaxing music in more places than we realize: botanical gardens, hospitals, yoga studios, spas, and more.  Our trip to the spa would be really awkward without that music, just sayin’.  

While “spa day” may not be awkward for your dog, soothing music can help relax and calm your dog just as it helps calm and relax us.  

This article from East Valley Animal Hospital says that classical music was shown to be the best in helping dogs reach a calm state of mind.  If classical isn’t your jam, a tempo of 50-60 beats per minute is the recommendation from East Valley.  

Playing music can help soothe an anxious dog, relax a dog who’s still amped from their play time, or simply help them enjoy a peaceful evening with you on the couch.  Here are a few other places it can help: 

1. When you leave your dog alone

2. In the car if rides stress them

3. Covering trigger sounds like thunder and traffic

4. In a noisy home full of visitors and your dog needs a peaceful break in their crate

There are a lot of places you can add music to your dog’s world.  Anywhere they’re anxious or need a little calm, try some music.  

*While it will not solve severe anxiety, it's another tool in your toolbox to help your dog live a better life. Also try to couple music with another calming activity!

Lick to Calm

Yes, you read that correctly.  Licking releases endorphins and provides the dog with a soothing behavior to perform instead of problem behaviors.  

A dog that barks, paces, or has general anxiety can benefit greatly from a lick mat or frozen Kong.  Braxton’s breaks down other benefits of lick mats and other similar enrichment toys, such as helping to clean teeth, giving the dog a job, and helping them calm down in stressful situations like thunderstorms or being left at home alone.  

A simple lick mat smeared with peanut butter (xylitol free please!), wet dog food, yogurt, or pumpkin can be a great way to soothe a stressed dog or give some mental stimulation to a balanced one.  Another idea is to fill a Kong or silicone cup with food or treats and then fill it with broth or water and freeze it.  It lasts longer and also helps a dog that eats too quickly slow down and give the stomach more time to properly digest.  

Sniff and Relax

Did you know that dogs have over 300 million olfactory receptors?  Compare that to our measly 6 million, and suddenly it shifts the perspective of how we think our dog sees the world.  More on that particular subject in an upcoming post. 

What do those 300 million receptors have to do with relaxation?  Everything.  A dog ‘sees’ the world through their nose.  In human terms, imagine you relax when you take a nice stroll through the park, or take a scenic drive through the mountains.  You’re taking in all the things around you and it calms you down, (unless you run into traffic, then never mind).  

It’s similar for your dog.  Taking them out to your yard and planting a simple “sniffari” for them can lower their heart rate, decrease anxiety, and give them mental stimulation by providing a “job” to focus on.  

There is so much you can do involving your dog’s greatest asset.  In their world, anything can be sniffed, so when it comes to sniffing activities you’re only limited by your own imagination.  Check out my list of top five ways to help a dog relax through sniffing: 

1. Yard / indoor sniffari:

   1. Plant treats around your yard or a room in your house, (no cheating, make sure the dog can’t see where you place them), make it easy the first few times.  Once planted, bring out your dog and ask them to search (you may need to train this as a cue).  You can help them out by giving them one of the treats you’ve hidden so they know what they're looking for, and you may have to help them find the first few, however let them engage their nose!  See how quickly they pick it up. 

2. Let your dog lead your walks: 

   1. Yes, you read that.  I’m not saying let them lead you down a dark alleyway or into a creepy thicket, but slowing down and allowing them time to sniff their surroundings and engage that massive olfactory center can really mean a lot to your dog and help the walk actually relax them. 

3. Play the Cups game: 

   1. Yep, dogs enjoy this game too.  Hide a treat under a solo cup and mix it up with another empty one or two.  This can create real bonding for you both and engage your dog in a great game that makes them use their brain and scenting ability.  And of course, it will help them burn some energy so they'll relax afterwards.

4. Snuffle mats: 

   1. I love giving my dog snuffle mats for dinner.  It releases tension, gives them plenty to sniff, and gives you some quiet time too.  You can also do this in the yard by scattering a handful of treats or food in the grass. This is also a great way to help a fast eater slow down and take more time to eat.  

5. Hide and seek: 

   1. Hide and seek is not just for kids.  You may need two people, one to hold the dog and one to hide, unless your dog’s stay is impeccable.  This game is great for dogs and builds different skills all in one game.  Hide somewhere in your home (or outside), once hidden, call your dog!  Easy as that.  Let them sniff you out and reward them heavily for finding you.  This game builds stronger stays, improves recall, engages their SEEKING system, and of course engages that nose.  After a few rounds, your dog will be ready to chill and relax.

Now Relax

Tips and tricks for relaxing dogs can be found anywhere, but these three methods are my favorite.  They all engage the dog in either a game or a soothing activity that they love, and you can’t go wrong when you take into account your dog’s passions.  

So next time you treat yourself to a spa day, don’t forget to give your dog to a spa day too.  They’ll love you for it.