Creating a safe space for dogs

It is an important part of their overall ability to feel safe. A safe space for dogs who are sensitive or anxious can make a massive difference to their emotional wellbeing.

Safe spaces can act as a haven for anxious dogs. Or for any dog for that matter!

They provide a place that is just for them. There is no pressure to do a particular thing, or be interacted with. They can retreat and relax there at any time.

We all need this to be able to recharge, decompress, and move on later.

This all creates a positive association with this space which spirals positively. The more your dog relaxes in this space, the more they will seek it out to trigger that relaxation in them at more challenging times.

It’s a great way of helping your dog to self-soothe.

My two dogs are totally different.

Chalk and cheese.

If I made one safe space for both of them then at least one of them would not be happy!

The only thing that matters with a safe space is that it genuinely makes YOUR individual dog feel safe.

It might take testing some different things to find the right spot. And your dog might want different things at different times depending on the situation. So stay tuned to your dog!

A common piece of advice is to create a den for your dog.

Now, this might be the perfect idea for your dog.

But dogs aren’t actually den animals. So we can’t just impose our own view of what we think is going to be comforting onto our dogs.

If you’d like to learn more about creating a safe space, as well as sign up for some additional resources on helping your dog to feel safe and secure, sign up for free above!