Stress. Everyone knows how it feels like, including your dog. You may think that your four-legged friend got it easy, but a dog’s life is actually more stressful than you think.

As a pet owner, you might be interested to know that your dog may experience stress when changes come up in your life. For instance, dogs get stressed when you spend more time away from home, move to a new place or routine changes. They also get anxious when exposed to loud or unusual noises.

You know how stress can throw wrenches in your life. That said, it is important to help your pet cope with stress and anxiety. Try these solutions when your dog gets anxious or stressed out.

Music

Humans aren’t the only ones who can be calmed by soothing music. Music can also calm an anxious dog.

Some owners leave their radio or television open in the hopes of keeping their dogs entertained. While music can help soothe dog anxiety, you can’t just play any music and expect your dog to calm down. Remember, animals hear music and process audio differently than we do. Classical music can help them calm down; while heavy metal, jazz and rock music can actually increase the dog’s anxiety.

Massage

Everyone loves a good massage. The same can also be said for dogs. Long, slow strokes can help calm an anxious dog. In addition, studies show that petting your dog can also help soothe your nerves. So it’s a win-win situation.

There is also a special massage for dogs, which uses circular finger motions to help relax your dog. This is called the TTouch massage method.

Physical exercise

Exercise is a good stress reliever, not just for humans, but for pets as well. Play ball, take your dog for a walk or do whatever form of exercise you and your dog enjoy. Burning off all that extra energy can help reduce tension, which can exacerbate anxiety. Remember, a tired dog is a good dog.