5 Ways to Calm a Dog in Heat
Anyone who owns a female dog knows how anxious they can be in heat can be. Obviously, her changing behavior has nothing to do with poor training skills or a lack of love from you; it’s due to hormonal changes. Each female will handle it uniquely, and younger females tend to have more visible and unexpected reactions as they experience these changes for the first time. If your dam is acting differently and out of character, here are five tips to calm her so she can have a better time during her heat.
1. Provide Much More Exercise
A dam in heat, especially during her first seasons, is a little temperamental about everything she is going through. Her body is changing, and her mind is worried, anxious, and stressed out. The best way to soothe all these unwelcome and distressing emotions and feelings is to make your dog sleep more often. Shorten the walks but do more of them, or invest in a dog treadmill if you have spare money to spend. If you are the active type, go ahead and jog along with your dog. Sprinting, fetching, swimming—all these activities will tire your dog and allow her to rest and feel better throughout her heat.
2. Use Interactive Dog Toys and Games
Several studies have shown that mental stimulation provokes as much fatigue in a dog as regular physical stimulation. Plus, mental stimulation can be provided with and without your presence. Interactive dog toys (also called dog puzzle toys and smart toys) challenge your pooch's mental skills. They prevent boredom and other related negative behaviors while offering treats as a prize for solving them. There are probably hundreds of different smart toys, from a regular ball with treats inside and a small hole that distributes them slowly all the way to full-on puzzles. Prices range from $5 to $100, so it’s up to you, your budget and your dog’s temperament. Obviously, don’t start with a too-difficult puzzle. Begin with a simple ball and keep on gradually increasing the difficulty.
3. Offer Tasty Antler Chews
Anxiety in dogs can provoke some mild or serious destructive behaviors: gnawing, chewing, scratching, biting, etc. For very well-behaved dogs, these bad behaviors may be less visible and take different forms, such as running around, overeating, barking, and mood swings. The best way to soothe chewers is to let them chew—but on the right things! Not on your shoes, furniture, or your sofa, but instead, let them chew a tasty, healthy, organic Antler stag bar or Himalayan chew. These are naturally long lasting, and, because they are manufactured free of chemicals, they will retain all their nutritive values and lovely flavors. Most dogs love them, so just pick the right size and go ahead!
4. Create a Sense of Calmness
Instead of being anxious and annoying yourself, as a dog owner, you must reassure your dog by giving her a lot more attention and love than usual. Speak to her calmly and ask your children, if you have any, not to engage in behaviors that can be agitating to her for the time being.
In order to create an atmosphere of calmness at home, you should probably avoid loud music and TV. Also, do your best to make her crate or bedding a lot more comfy than usual. Try adding a new plush toy, for example. Be thoughtful of what she is going through. If you see your dog sleeping more than usual, that is good. Let her rest as much as she needs. Make sure she still eats what she has to, and if she doesn’t, use some food toppers or make her meals more exciting.
5. Give a Dog Relaxant
Tablets, sprays, drops, treats, powder, there are many different options! Calming aids for dogs are easily available online or at your local pet store. They can often help when everything else seems to fail — however, they shouldn’t be your go-to solution. Don’t overdo calming aids because you want to avoid a vet visit after a calming aid overdose. Some are herbal, others are organic, and many have different claims about what they are efficient against. Overall, it is a good solution for hyper-active, hyper-stressed, or hyper-anxious females in season.
Conclusion
Ultimately, hormonal changes in dogs generate mood swings, anxiety, and a mind in distress. The symptoms get stronger and even more obvious with young and inexperienced dogs that are in their first couple of heats. Giving them something else to focus on is the way to go! Let them focus on you (training and cuddles), on toys (chew bars and smart puzzles), or let their mind rest by providing them with a comfortable place to sleep.
