8 Sure-Fire Ways to Calm Your Great Dane’s Anxiety

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

If your Great Dane 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 Great Dane may be suffering from. Typical causes of anxiety in Great Dane’s might be:

• Separation anxiety – Fear of being separated from their owner. This often manifests with 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 Great Dane’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 Great Dane to The Cause of Their Anxiety

A key strategy for treating your Great Dane’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 Dog Doors

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3. For Sound Anxiety, Trying Isolating Your Great Dane and Playing Loud Music

Many Great Danes that suffer from thunderstorms 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 experiencing 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 Great Dane)

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 Great Dane during fireworks, thunder, separation, travel, or vet visits, with no training and no medication required.

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5. Try an Herbal Supplement for Your Great Dane 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 Great Dane’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 Great Dane

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 Great Dane

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 lay 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.

Related: Best Calming Supplements for Dogs

Another popular calming product is the heartbeat puppy toy. Traditionally, these have been used to help calm puppies who have recently left their litter. The plush toys come with a warming features as well as a simulated heartbeat. While originally intended for puppies, many dog owners have found they can effectively calm dogs of all ages. This popular model is available on Amazon. 

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Defeating your Great Dane’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.

Related: Top Pet Insurance Plans for Great Danes

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Frequently Asked Questions About Great Dane Anxiety

1. Why do Great Danes experience anxiety?

Great Danes are gentle giants that thrive on companionship. Because they form deep bonds with their owners, they may experience separation anxiety when left alone. Other causes include lack of exercise, sudden changes in routine, loud noises, or past trauma.

2. What are common signs of anxiety in Great Danes?

Signs include pacing, whining, barking excessively, destructive chewing, drooling, shaking, hiding, or clinging to their owner. In some cases, they may also show aggression or refuse to eat when anxious.

3. How can exercise help calm my Great Dane’s anxiety?

Great Danes are large, energetic dogs that need daily exercise to burn off stress. Regular walks, playtime, or safe off-leash running helps reduce nervous energy and promotes relaxation.

4. Can crate training reduce Great Dane anxiety?

Yes, crate training can provide a safe and secure environment for Great Danes. When introduced positively, crates become a den-like space where they feel calm and protected, especially during stressful events like thunderstorms.

5. Do Great Danes get separation anxiety?

Yes, Great Danes are especially prone to separation anxiety because of their strong bond with their families. Long periods alone can lead to destructive behaviors, barking, or stress-related health issues.

6. How does a consistent routine help my Great Dane?

Dogs, including Great Danes, feel more secure with a predictable routine. Regular feeding, walking, and playtimes help reduce stress by giving them structure and stability.

7. Can calming treats or supplements help with Great Dane anxiety?

Yes, natural calming treats containing ingredients like chamomile, valerian root, or CBD oil can help relax Great Danes. Always consult your vet before introducing supplements to ensure safety and correct dosage.

8. How can training reduce my Great Dane’s anxiety?

Obedience training and socialization build confidence and reduce fear-based anxiety. Teaching commands and rewarding calm behavior gives your Great Dane the tools to manage stressful situations better.

9. What role does mental stimulation play in calming Great Danes?

Providing puzzle toys, interactive feeders, or training exercises keeps your Great Dane’s mind engaged, preventing boredom that often contributes to anxiety.

10. Can music or white noise calm an anxious Great Dane?

Yes, soothing music or white noise can help mask scary sounds like fireworks or thunderstorms. Many dogs find calming playlists or TV noise comforting during stressful times.

11. Are Great Danes more prone to anxiety than other breeds?

Great Danes are not necessarily more anxious than other breeds, but their size makes anxiety-related behaviors more noticeable and potentially destructive. Their sensitivity and strong need for companionship contribute to separation anxiety.

12. Can anxiety in Great Danes lead to health issues?

Yes, chronic stress can impact their immune system, digestion, and overall health. It may lead to gastrointestinal issues, weight loss, or compulsive behaviors if not addressed properly.

13. Should I use professional training or behaviorists for Great Dane anxiety?

If your Great Dane shows severe anxiety or aggressive behavior, consulting a professional trainer or veterinary behaviorist is recommended. They can create personalized strategies to manage your dog’s needs effectively.

14. How can I help my Great Dane during thunderstorms or fireworks?

Provide a safe, quiet space such as a crate or designated room. Using calming wraps, playing white noise, or offering treats and gentle reassurance can help ease their fear during loud noises.

15. When should I talk to my vet about my Great Dane’s anxiety?

If your Great Dane’s anxiety leads to destructive behavior, aggression, or health issues, or if natural calming methods don’t work, it’s time to consult your veterinarian. They may recommend supplements, training adjustments, or in severe cases, medication.

Helping Your Great Dane Find Calm

Anxiety can feel overwhelming, for both you and your Great Dane, but it doesn’t have to define your dog’s life. With patience, consistency, and the right tools, most Great Danes 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 Great Dane feel secure, relaxed, and ready to enjoy life by your side.

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.