Effective Calming Solutions for High Anxiety Dogs

I knew we were in trouble the day my dog started shaking the second I picked up the grooming bag. Not the groomer showing up. Not the clippers. Just… the bag. Full-body tremble. Wide eyes. Absolute betrayal.

If you have an anxious dog, you know the feeling. You’re not even stressed yet, and somehow your dog already is.

For us, anxiety shows up during grooming appointments, loud holidays, or when more than two people enter the house at once. My dogs are sweet, loving, and loyal. They are also convinced that chaos is always just around the corner.

Over the years, I’ve learned that calming an anxious dog isn’t about one magic fix. It’s about small, consistent things that help them feel safe. These are the three that actually made a difference in our house. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

1. Changing the environment before the stress hits

This was the first thing I figured out, mostly by accident. If I wait until my dog is already pacing and whining, it’s too late.

Now, before anything stressful happens, I lower the volume on life a bit. Curtains closed. Lights softer. Favorite blanket out. I’ll put on calm music or white noise and give them a quiet space they can retreat to without being bothered.

It doesn’t solve everything, but it sets the tone. Less stimulation equals less spiraling.

2. Keeping my own energy calm even when I want to panic

This one is annoying because it requires me to change, not the dog.

Dogs are emotional mind readers. If I’m rushing around stressed, apologizing to guests, or nervously repeating “it’s okay, it’s okay,” my dogs absolutely know something is wrong.

When I slow down, speak normally, and act like nothing dramatic is happening, they settle faster. Not instantly. But noticeably.

Sometimes calming your dog starts with calming yourself. Even if you’re faking it.

3. Using calming chews as part of the routine

This is where calming chews come in, and I want to be clear. I don’t use them as a last-minute panic button. I use them as part of the plan.

On grooming days or before a busy evening, I give my dogs calming chews about 30 to 45 minutes ahead of time. Then we sit together. No rush. No buildup. Just normal life.

The difference is subtle but real. Less shaking. Less pacing. More lying down and sighing dramatically like they’ve had a long day at work.

I started using Yuma’s hemp calming chews because they felt gentle and easy to work into our routine. They don’t knock my dogs out or change who they are. They just take the edge off enough that everything else I’m doing actually works better.

If you’re curious, these are the calming chews we use: Yuma’s Hemp Calming Chews for Dogs. I like them because they’re easy to give, don’t sedate my dogs, and work best when paired with a calm environment instead of replacing it.

👉 You can check them out here Calming Chews

(I only share products I actually use with my own dogs.)

What I’ve learned from living with anxious dogs

Anxiety doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. Some dogs just feel things deeply. They notice everything. They care a lot.

Helping them feel calm isn’t about fixing them. It’s about supporting them in ways that feel safe and predictable.

If your dog struggles with anxiety, start small. Adjust the environment. Check your own energy. Add tools that support calm instead of forcing it.

And give yourself some grace too. Loving an anxious dog can be exhausting. It can also be incredibly rewarding when you finally see them relax and trust that everything is okay.

Even if the grooming bag still gets a side-eye.

A simple tool that helped in our home

If you’re dealing with a dog who shakes, paces, or spirals before stressful moments, calming chews might be worth trying as part of a bigger routine. We’ve had good results using Yuma’s hemp calming chews, especially when we give them ahead of time and keep the environment calm. 👉 You can find them here Calming Chews