Help your fearful dog relax at home

It's important for your sensitive dog to have one or more safe spaces at home that they can retreat to when stressed.  But how can you encourage your dog to actually relax there? 

In the video below, I give some examples of safe spaces and ways to encourage your dog to rest and relax. Here are the highlights: 

• Work with your dog's preferences.  Where does your dog usually choose to sleep or relax now? If possible, create a safe space there. 
• Don't make your dog's safe space unsafe. Let your dog choose if and when to enter or exit the safe space. Don't push them in, pull them out, or close them in it if confinement distresses them. 
• Add "relaxation cues".  What sights, sounds, surfaces, etc. are part of the contexts in which your dog currently relaxes or sleeps?  I give a few examples of my dog Pancake's "relaxation cues" in the video, including me nearby on a laptop or phone, soft piano music, and a heated bed. 

What are some of your dog's "relaxation cues"?  Do you need help brainstorming?  I'd love to hear from you! Shoot me an email at [email protected].