Poodles are a popular choice of breed because of their calm disposition. New situations or environments can, however, make your pet anxious or nervous. Anxious behavior may include jumping, walking around in circles or constant barking. Luckily, there are many ways to calm your stressed poodle down.
Step 1
Give your poodle plenty of exercise opportunities each day. Take her for a few short walks throughout the day to really tire her out. Play with her indoors if the weather does not permit outdoor walks.
Step 2
Issue voice commands when your poodle is becoming anxious or nervous. Tell her “No” in a firm voice and pull her collar to let her know this behavior is not appropriate. Use the same voice each time so your poodle will recognize the command and calm down immediately.
Step 3
Purchase some interactive dog toys from the pet store to help calm your poodle down. The toys hold yummy treats that your pet has to figure out how to get to. This will keep her busy for a long time and provide calming mental stimulation.
Step 4
Put your poodle in time out when she needs to calm down. Place her in a crate or room in your house with no distractions so she can completely focus on being calm. Keep her in there for 10 minutes and repeat for another 10 minutes if she has not relaxed. She should calm down after a couple of sessions.
Step 5
Make a homemade lavender solution to help keep your poodle calm. Put a couple of drops of lavender oil in a spray bottle filled with 1 cup of water. Mix well and spritz your poodle with the solution when she becomes nervous, or before stressful situations like a veterinarian appointment. The lavender has a calming scent that will help your pet relax.
References
Resources
Tips
- Always be as calm around your pet as possible. Poodles are very sensitive to their owners and may imitate anxious behavior.
Writer Bio
Based in Statesboro, Ga., Emily Jones has been writing professionally since 2009. Her articles appear on various websites, specializing in the diverse topics of cleaning and insects. Jones is a graduate student studying education at Georgia Southern University.