Canine Stress Relievers

Getting a dog's stress under control can take time, a lot of effort and a lot of patience. Releasing stress is important whether in canines or humans because there are many health problems that can result from too much stress. Here are seven tips to releasing stress in canines.

Three Natural Remedies- Herbal and nutritional supplements and Homeopathic Remedies

Herbal supplements can be the key to calming a canine. It is important to seek a knowledgeable herbalist who can recommend the exact combination of herbs customized to a dog's symptoms. Calming herbs include chamomile, passion flower, skullcap or Valerian root. The key to finding an herbalist is to get recommendations from friends, veterinarians or other animal professionals. Find out their experience by asking what animals they treat and where and how they practice their trade.

Homeopathic remedies work to eliminate imbalances in the dog's body. These remedies can restore balance and calm important to relieving stress in canines. Homeopathic remedies help maladies from itchy skin to curbing the after effects of vaccinations. Homeopathy was developed by Samuel Hahneman 200 years ago.

Since homeopathic ingredients are derived from plants, animal materials and minerals, they differ from medications because they are given in smaller and less toxic dosages. Instead of suppressing a dog's illness, homeopathic remedies strengthen the immune system. The best place to find a Homeopathic professional is through the American Holistic Veterinarian Medical Association.

Nutritional supplements include Melatonin, a sleep aid for humans, which may reduce stress levels without causing drowsiness in dogs. Other supplements to try are Tryptophan, an amino acid that is naturally occurs in dogs. Tryptophan can be used to reduce impulsive behavior, aggression, and in dogs who have obsessive compulsive tendencies. Tryptophan naturally calms and refocuses energy.

Another amino acid is 5-HTP also used to decrease aggression in dogs. 5-HTP contains soothing ingredients such as magnesium, thiamine, lecithin, L-theanine, or decapeptide. It is very important to consult with a veterinarian for directions and dosage as human dosages can make dogs sick.

Pheromones

Pheromones come in sprays, plug-ins, and diffusers, such as the DAP Diffuser. DAP stands for Dog Appeasing Pheromone very similar in smell to a mother dog's natural pheromone. The purpose of pheromones is to reduce noise phobias, separation anxiety and social anxiety.

Pressure garments

In a move about Dr, Temple Grandin, PhD, a noted autistic writer and speaker on livestock behavior, Dr. Grandin discovers the comfort of side pressure, which releases stress and calms. Pressure garments are very similar in what they accomplish and can help relax a canine. They come in the form of wraps using ace bandages to form head and body wraps, and then there are commercial products like Thundershirts, Anxiety wraps and Calming caps.

Training

Skill training can help a dog cope with real life, but not change behaviors, such as separation anxiety, noise sensitivities or aggression. Along with training, behavior therapy is needed to reduce stress in canines. Hand-in- hand both can accomplish a lot to put an anxious dog at ease. Skills, such as training a nose touch for non confrontational meet and greets, or sits and downs as relaxation postures and turn aways as impulse control can be great partners along with behavior modification techniques.

Relaxation techniques like Dr. Karen Overall's relaxation protocol combines skills with impulse control and incrementally increasing distractions.

Behavior Therapy

Behavior therapy is described as exposure to small doses of stimuli or triggers that may cause a dog stress (i.e. low recordings of sounds; or exposures to stressful social situations). Finding a qualified behavior therapist, behavior consultant, behavior trainer, or veterinarian behaviorist can go a long way to long lasting results to release stress in the canine.

Exercise, Mental Stimulation, and Socialization

The three categories of anxiety to include separation anxiety, noise anxiety, and social anxiety respond well to keeping the body busy and the mind relaxed. Exercise, at least 30 minutes a day plus mentally stimulating activities like treat balls, intelligence toys and foraging games plus regular socialization with people and other dogs can go a long way in stress relief. Tellington Touch is a very good way using bodywork, leading exercises and higher learning coursework to build confidence to not only keep the body busy and mind relaxed, but to help relieve stress.

Medications

Fluoxetine (Prozac or Reconcile) is a serotonin re uptake inhibitor that regulates and boosts serotonin levels. Serotonin deficiencies are linked to depression and anxiety.

Comipramine, Comicalm, Anafranil treat anxiety in both humans and dogs and are also SSRIs.

Amitriptyline HCI (Elavil) is a tricyclic antidepressant that increases the levels of serotonin in the brain. This medication is used for anxiety and urine spraying in cats, but is sometimes prescribed for separation anxiety and excessive grooming in dogs.

Acetylpromazine (acepromazine) is a sedative used to calm frightened animals...temporary situations - prescribed for nausea or car sickness or administered as a preoperative sedative. Side effects: leghargy, uncoordinated, third eyelids may appear. May lower body temperature, turn urine pink, cause low blood pressure,

increase heart rate, worsen anemia and lower seizure threshold. It may have exaggerated side effects in elderly dogs.

Choosing the right combination of canine stress relievers could be critical to change, to better health and to long lasting results.Seek help to properly implement stress relievers for the best benefits.