Many of us know what it's like to have a dog that just won't settle down. Maybe they're rambunctious and energy filled beyond the normal range, or maybe they even have some form of anxiety contributing to their behavior.
In any case, it's important to find ways to help them with these restless and distressing feelings. For one, a happy and stress-free dog is a healthier dog. Second, anxiety and restlessness can lead to destructive behavior, and even cause your dog to run off or get themselves into danger.
On the flip side, some anxiety medications for dogs can have seriously negative side effects. Even if they're effective at reducing anxiety, they can lead to significant changes in your dog's personality, leaving them "zombified."
That's why we looked into the research on drug-free ways to help your dog calm down. We're going to look at some of the best techniques, behavioral and supplemental, that may be able to get your dog to a healthier place mentally - without the use of drugs.
We'll look at some short training options you can explore, a few enrichment activities that help dogs calm down, and a few supplements that are natural and won't change your dog's personality.
Let's get started.
4 Micro-Training Options That Can Help Calm Dogs
These "micro-training" options are minimal, and you can incorporate them into your lifestyle without investing in a years-long plan of training and maintaining behavioral standards. In other words, these are just little things you can do with your dog that will help them remain calm more of the time.
1. The Treat Toss Reset
(Technique: "Find It")
Toss a treat and say “Find it!” It’s simple, fast, and powerfully effective.
Why it works: This mini-game taps into your dog’s natural sniffing and foraging instinct. According to a 2019 study by Duranton & Horowitz (Let Me Sniff!), dogs engaging in nosework and scent-based games showed reduced cortisol levels and displayed a more positive emotional outlook. That means sniffing = stress relief.
Use it: Before stressful events (guests, walks, vet visits) or during overstimulation to redirect and reset focus.
2. The 1-2-3 Safety Game
(Technique: Pattern Games)
Count out loud: “1, 2, 3” – and give a treat on “3” while calmly walking or standing.
Why it works: Pattern games, as designed by Leslie McDevitt (Control Unleashed), are built on predictability. Structured routines like these help reduce reactivity and anxiety by giving the dog something reliable to latch onto. A review in IAABC Journal highlights the effectiveness of these games for dogs that struggle with arousal, fear, or hyper-vigilance.
Use it: In moderately stressful environments (on leash, at the park, near distractions) to help your dog stay mentally anchored.
3. Safe Space Training
(Technique: Go-to-Place / Mat Work)
Teach your dog to go to a mat or bed on cue, and reward calm behavior when they settle.
Why it works: “Place” training gives dogs a certainty anchor—a safe, defined space to settle. A 2020 IAABC Journal study found that consistent mat training helped anxious dogs become more confident and reduced reactive episodes over time. When practiced consistently, this becomes a reliable cue for self-regulation.
Use it: As part of daily routines, during mealtime, or when guests arrive. Reinforce with calming rewards like lick mats or chew toys.
4. The “Look at Me” Focus Break
(Technique: Eye Contact Cue)
Ask your dog to look at you on cue—either “Look” or “Watch Me.” Reward them when they do.
Why it works: This simple redirect builds handler focus and breaks fixation on environmental triggers. While there’s less direct research on this specific cue, it’s a widely endorsed method in force-free training for managing reactivity and emotional regulation.
Use it: When your dog is starting to spiral—like spotting another dog, reacting to a noise, or getting fixated on a passerby.
Extend your hand and cue “Touch.” Your dog boops it with their nose and gets rewarded.
Why it works: This behavior interrupts anxiety and gives your dog a fast, low-effort action to perform. It works well as a distraction, reset, and confidence booster, especially for shy or reactive dogs.
Use it: In training, on walks, or during brief moments of tension (vet lobby, grooming check-in, etc.).
Final Thought on Micro Trainings
These techniques may seem simple, but they’re rooted in behavioral science and designed to calm the nervous system. Whether you’re dealing with an anxious rescue pup or a dog that gets overstimulated easily, microtraining is one of the most effective and gentle ways to create calm, connection, and confidence.
3 Mental Enrichment Options That May Calm Your Dog
Mental enrichment differs from training in that it gets woven into your dog's life, gradually uplifting their mood overall. Daily enrichment activities can reset and restore your dog's good mood, helping them to break negative thought cycles or anxious behaviors that were left untended before.
Try incorporating these methods into your dog's life, however much or little you can.
1. The Snuffle Safari
(Activity: Snuffle Mat / Foraging Games)
"The urban predator stalks its prey—half a freeze-dried liver, hidden deep in the fabric jungle..."
How it works: Toss a few treats into a snuffle mat (or a towel, shag rug, or crumpled paper pile) and let your dog sniff them out.
Why it helps: Research from Duranton & Horowitz (2019) showed that scent-based games like this lower cortisol levels and lead to more positive emotional bias in dogs. The act of sniffing engages the “seeking system” in the brain, which is tied to dopamine release and emotional regulation.
Try it when: You leave the house, have guests over, or want to give your dog a calming decompression break.
2. The Chill & Lick Station
(Activity: Frozen Lick Mat with calming ingredients)
Dogs don’t just love to lick—it actually calms their nervous system.
How it works: Spread a mix of pumpkin, yogurt, kefir, or wet food on a lick mat. Freeze it and serve during high-stress situations.
Why it helps: Licking is a self-soothing behavior shown to lower heart rate and activate the parasympathetic nervous system. According to PMC8555628 and the Ohio State Veterinary Enrichment Guide, licking can promote calm in both shelter and pet dogs.
Try it when: Fireworks, grooming sessions, crate time, or as part of a bedtime routine. Bonus: add a few drops of Lolahemp Calming CBD Oil for even more support.
3. The Mystery Box Challenge
(Activity: DIY Puzzle Box / Shredding Game)
Your dog’s version of an unboxing video.
How it works: Fill a cardboard box with layers of paper, towels, and safe items. Hide treats or toys inside and let your dog shred, dig, and explore.
Why it helps: Exploratory enrichment taps into natural problem-solving behaviors. A study cited in PMC8772568 and OSU’s enrichment materials found that dogs engaging in puzzle-solving activities exhibited lower stress levels and increased confidence over time.
Try it when: Your dog seems bored, hyper, or you’re stuck indoors. Just supervise the first few times to ensure safe shredding.
Final Thought on Mental Enrichment
These enrichment games aren’t just fun—they’re therapeutic. They fulfill your dog’s needs in ways that training alone can’t. Best of all, most of them are easy, affordable, and adaptable for dogs of any age.
2 Natural Supplements to Help Your Dog Relax
Many natural supplements have been shown to significantly reduce stress-related behaviors in dogs, and they often come without the side effects of strong medications. The two natural ingredients below, hemp and chamomile, have both had peer-reviewed studies that support their ability to encourage calm in dogs faced with otherwise stressful stimuli.
Results can vary from dog to dog, but many dog owners use this ingredients by themselves, or in addition to some of the calming methods discussed above. Let's take a closer look:
1. Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil (CBD Oil)
CBD oil works with a dog's endocannabinoid system to maintain a healthy, balanced temperament. It doesn't get dogs "high" in order to achieve calming benefits, but it rather influences the dog's system to discourage physiological indicators of stress, and encourage homeostasis in the nervous system.
The result is often a dog that isn't as reactive toward stimuli (people, cars, loud noises) and more even-keeled on a regular basis.
CBD oil can come in a variety of forms, but the most common options for dogs are tinctures and chews. These must be formulated specifically for dogs, and come from a manufacturer that is reputable and uses clean ingredients.
Lolahemp offers a variety of calming CBD options for dogs, made with USA organic hemp and human-grade ingredients for the best results. Our reviews also speak for themselves, with thousands of pet owners supporting our results.
2. Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the most widely used herbal remedies for anxiety in both humans and animals—and for good reason. This gentle herb contains natural compounds like apigenin and bisabolol, which bind to GABA receptors in the brain. These same pathways are targeted by anti-anxiety medications, making chamomile a natural alternative for promoting calm without sedation.
Veterinary herbalists often recommend chamomile for dogs dealing with mild anxiety, digestive upset, or inflammatory conditions. It’s especially popular in holistic practices because it’s well-tolerated, easy to administer (as tea or in supplements), and often effective for day-to-day stressors like vet visits, travel, or grooming appointments. Studies have also shown chamomile influence cortisol and support more balanced behavior when used regularly.
Lolahemp's Calming CBD Oil for dogs includes CBD, Chamomile, and L-theanine, and is an excellent option for dog parents looking for the maximum natural relief that's possible for their canine companion.
Conclusion
So, there are plenty of options for you try as you work to get your dog's anxiety and distress under control. The best part, is that you don't necessarily need to try strong prescription medications to address their behaviors; behavioral, environmental, and supplemental options are great places to start before you introduce medications you're unsure about.
As always, talk with your veterinarian about anything in this article before starting new treatments and methods. Have options that have worked well for you? Let us know in the comments below, and contact us if you have any questions about using our products to help your dog.
