8 Sure-Fire Ways to Calm Your Mutt’s Anxiety

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How To Conquer Your Mutt’s Separation Anxiety, Sound Anxiety or Travel Anxiety

If your Mutt is experiencing anxiety, life can be miserable both for you and your pup. I myself spent 2 years battling extreme separation anxiety with my dog, and we successfully came out on the other side. In this article I’ll share some of the resources and strategies that worked for us.

There are many forms of anxiety that your Mutt may be suffering from. Typical causes of anxiety in Mutt’s might be:

• Separation anxiety – Fear of being separated from their owner. This often manifests itself by your Mutt pacing, drooling, biting, or being destructive while you’re away.
• Sound anxiety – Fear of loud noises like thunder, fireworks, or a vacuum cleaner
• Travel anxiety – Fear of traveling in a moving vehicle, or fear of intimidating places like your vet’s office or a boarding kennel

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1. Experiment with Hemp Oil for Your Mutt’s Anxiety

One of the tools I successfully used in treating my dog’s anxiety was hemp. While your results may vary, approximately 67% of the dog owners polled here claimed that hemp was ‘extremely effective’ or ‘somewhat effective’ in helping their dog’s anxiety.

In my experience, hemp helped my dog calm down enough to respond positively to the other training methods I was using to treat her anxiety. When choosing a hemp oil, always look for a certificate of analysis showing a pure and safe product. I’d also recommend a product with 0% THC.

If you’d rather not give an hemp oil tincture to your dog, there are also great full-spectrum hemp treat options available for dogs on Amazon.

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2. Desensitize Your Mutt to The Cause of Their Anxiety

A key strategy for treating your Mutt’s anxiety is desensitizing them to the trigger of their fear. For example, my dog’s anxiety was triggered anytime I walked out the door to leave the house. For other dogs, the trigger might be you grabbing your keys or putting on your coat.

Begin by doing the trigger activity, but then immediately reversing it. For example, I would grab my keys and walk out the door. Then I’d come back 5 seconds later. I did this literally hundreds of times over a period of a week. Eventually, my dog was desensitized and bored by the behavior.

Related: Best Calming Treat for Dogs

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3. For Sound Anxiety, try isolating Your Mutt and Playing Loud Music

Many Mutt’s that suffer from thunderstorm or fireworks anxiety experience relief in a smaller, more isolated room of the house where music can be played at a loud volume. A word of caution though, if your dog is also experiences separation anxiety leaving them alone in a room during may be counterproductive.

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4. Try Using a Compression Wrap (Available in Many Sizes and Will Fit Your Mutt)

Many dogs are comforted by the feeling of compression across their body. One popular product many have found success with is the Thundershirt (available on Amazon). The product applies gentle, calming pressure that is very reassuring to many pups. The company claims the product to be helpful for about 80% of the dogs who tried it. It can be used to help calm your australian shepherd during fireworks, thunder, separation, travel, or vet visits, with no training and no medication required.

 

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5. Try a Herbal Supplement for Your Mutt with Calming Herbs Like Chamomile, Passion Flower, Ginger Root, or Valerian Root

Many calming supplements exist for dogs that are palatable for dogs, easy-to-feed, and can help quickly relieve your Mutt’s stress and give a sense of safety and calm. Some supplements contain calming herbs like chamomile, passion flower, ginger root, and valerian root are a great option.

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6. Experiment with a Pheromone Diffuser for Your Mutt

Canine pheromone diffusers mimic the calming pheromone that a mother dog emits while nursing her puppies. The diffuser can help many dogs feel calmer and more comfortable in stressful situations. The same company that makes the Thundershirt above also makes a product called ThunderEase diffuser, which is also available on Amazon and Chewy.

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7. Try an Anti-Anxiety Supplement Containing L-Tryptophan, L-Theanine or Melatonin

Other popular ingredients in anti-anxiety supplements include the amino acids L-Tryptophan and L-Theanine, both of which offer calming properties and increase the release of “feel good” serotonin in your dog’s body. In addition, some calming products for dogs contain a small amount of melatonin, which can help regulate and improve their sleep.

 

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8. Experiment with Using Your Own Scent & Sound to Calm Your Mutt

In my experience, using your own scent and sound to help calm your dog is a powerful strategy in beating anxiety. I stumbled upon this one day with my own dog by accident.

Typically, if I left the home my dog would instantly enter a panic. But one day I needed to take a long phone call, and left my dog outside my bedroom door where I took the call. During the call, she calmly lied next to the door, where she could obviously smell and hear me. It occurred to me that I could possibly mimic this tactic while I wasn’t at home.

I recorded my voice on a CD player and then put it on loop. Then I placed a used t-shirt on the inside of the door where she could easily smell it underneath. To my surprise, I was able to leave the house for a short time. (I monitored her on a video camera). I slowly increased the length of time I left, and always found her calm and sincerely believing that I was just behind the door!

If you’d like to read the full story of how I cured my dog’s extreme separation anxiety, go here.

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Defeating your Mutt’s anxiety is absolutely possible—though every dog’s path to calm will be unique. The tools and strategies above can help you get started, but sometimes our pups need an extra layer of support. That’s why at iHeartDogs, we trust gentle, vet-formulated supplements designed to ease stress without harsh medications.

For best results, you can pair the Cannanine Ultra-Premium Broad Spectrum hemp Oil with our Cannanine Bacon-Flavored hemp Calming Chews. Together, these two supplements deliver 10 active, naturally calming ingredients—including hemp, melatonin, and valerian root—to promote relaxation and support emotional balance. Whether it’s fireworks, separation stress, or everyday anxiety, this powerful duo can help your dog feel safe, secure, and comforted.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mutts Anxiety

1. Why do mutts experience anxiety?

Mutts, like purebred dogs, can develop anxiety due to separation, loud noises, changes in routine, or lack of socialization. Past trauma or neglect can also increase anxiety levels.

2. What are the common signs of anxiety in mutts?

Common symptoms include excessive barking, destructive chewing, pacing, panting, whining, aggression, hiding, or attempting to escape when stressed.

3. Are mutts more prone to anxiety than purebred dogs?

No, anxiety can affect any dog regardless of breed. However, some mutts may inherit traits from breeds more prone to separation or noise anxiety.

4. Can exercise help reduce my mutt’s anxiety?

Yes, regular exercise is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety. Physical activity helps release pent-up energy, improves mood, and promotes relaxation.

5. Do calming treats work for mutts with anxiety?

Many calming treats containing natural ingredients such as chamomile, L-theanine, or CBD can help reduce anxiety in mutts. Always consult your vet before starting supplements.

6. How can I use training to calm an anxious mutt?

Training methods such as positive reinforcement, crate training, and desensitization to triggers help build your mutt’s confidence and reduce anxious behaviors.

7. Can mutts suffer from separation anxiety?

Yes, separation anxiety is one of the most common forms of anxiety in mutts. They may bark, howl, or destroy objects when left alone.

8. Do routine changes affect mutts’ anxiety?

Yes, sudden changes in routine can cause stress and confusion. Dogs thrive on consistency, so maintaining a stable daily schedule can reduce anxiety.

9. Are mutts sensitive to their owner’s emotions?

Absolutely. Mutts are highly empathetic and can pick up on human stress or sadness. If their owner is tense, dogs often mirror that anxiety.

10. Can music or sound therapy help calm my mutt?

Yes, calming music or white noise can help reduce stress, especially during thunderstorms, fireworks, or when left alone at home.

11. When should I consider professional help for my mutt’s anxiety?

If anxiety leads to destructive or aggressive behavior, or if your mutt shows constant stress despite home interventions, consult a veterinarian or certified behaviorist.

12. Are calming supplements safe for mutts?

Most calming supplements are safe if they are vet-approved and given in the correct dosage. Always consult your vet before starting new supplements.

13. Can socialization reduce anxiety in mutts?

Yes, early and ongoing socialization with people, other dogs, and different environments helps mutts feel more secure and less anxious in new situations.

14. How long does it take to see improvement in my mutt’s anxiety?

Improvements vary depending on the cause and method used. Some dogs show results within weeks of consistent training, while others may take months of management.

15. Can mutts completely overcome anxiety?

Some mutts can significantly improve with consistent care, training, and support. While anxiety may not disappear entirely, it can be managed effectively to improve their quality of life.

Helping Your Mutt Find Calm

Anxiety can feel overwhelming, for both you and your Mutt, but it doesn’t have to define your dog’s life. With patience, consistency, and the right tools, most Mutts can overcome separation stress, noise phobias, or travel worries and return to their naturally happy, confident selves. Remember, every dog’s journey to calm will look different, so don’t be discouraged if progress feels slow. Even small steps forward are signs of healing. When combined with training and a loving routine, these solutions can make a world of difference in helping your Mutt feel secure, relaxed, and ready to enjoy life by your side.

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