If you want to know how to get a dog to relax, the shortest answer is: give it a predictable daily routine with plenty of rest, a suitable mix of physical and mental activity, and calm around the situations where the restlessness typically arises. A dog that knows what is going to happen, and that has used both body and mind, settles down on its own far more easily. The rest is about building up those routines and removing whatever keeps the dog on high alert.

Many people experience restlessness as something the dog just has to learn to put aside. But restlessness is rarely disobedience. It is usually a sign that a basic need is not being met: too little sleep, too much stimulation, an insecure situation or a body that has not released its energy. When you address the underlying cause, the restlessness often disappears on its own.

Why does my dog have trouble settling down?

An adult dog has a considerable need for sleep, and puppies and senior dogs even more so. If the dog does not get enough undisturbed rest during the day, a form of fatigue builds up that, paradoxically, makes it more irritable and restless instead of more relaxed. A dog that is constantly being activated - by play, guests, sounds or attention - never reaches the deep gear where the body recovers.

Other times the restlessness is due to too little to do. A dog with a high activity level that does not get an outlet for its energy and its urge to use its head will come up with its own occupation, and it is rarely a relaxing one. And then there are the outright insecure situations: unfamiliar sounds, time alone or changes in everyday life, where the restlessness is the dog's way of signalling that something feels uncertain. If you are unsure whether your dog's restlessness is pure energy or a sign of discomfort, it is worth taking a closer look at how much it actually sleeps. Our guide to How Much Does A Dog Sleep In A Day gives a concrete picture of what is normal.

Fixed routines are the foundation of a calm dog

Dogs thrive on predictability. When walks, meals and rest are more or less fixed, the dog knows what to expect and does not need to stay on guard to read the situation. That predictability is calming in itself. Try to structure the day so there are clear periods of activity - and equally clear periods of calm, where the dog is not invited into anything.

A concrete habit that works for many is to introduce fixed rest breaks after activity. When the dog has been on a walk or has played, a fixed period follows in which it lies on its spot without being activated. That kind of structure teaches the dog that it is entirely natural to switch off, and that it does not have to be ready for action all the time. A fixed, comfortable resting spot, ideally set a little back from the busiest corner of the house, makes it easier for the dog to seek calm on its own.

Mental activity relaxes a dog more than long walks

It is a widespread misconception that a tired dog is a dog that has walked far. Physical exercise is important, but pure running and speed can actually wind a dog up and leave it more tense. Mental activity - scent work, problem solving, training - drains the battery in a different and more balanced way. A dog that has used its head often lies down heavily afterwards and sleeps deeply.

Scent work is one of the most relaxing things you can offer. Letting the dog find treats hidden in the grass or around the living room activates the part of the dog that works calmly and with concentration. In the same way, prolonged chewing works strongly to calm, because the chewing motion itself triggers relaxation. A licking mat, where the dog has to work to get the last bit, is a simple and effective tool for bringing the heart rate down. Our The Licking Mat is made precisely for that kind of calm absorption, and you can find inspiration on how to use it in the guide The Licking Mat.

If you want to give your dog something to chew on over a longer period, you will find relevant options in the collection Long chewing time, where the products are gathered with the dog's need for absorption and calm in mind. If you are curious about what is good to chew on, the article Natural Chew Bones For Dogs gives a thorough overview.

How to help your dog settle after a meal

The time right after a meal is an obvious occasion for rest. A dog that has eaten naturally wants to digest in peace, and if you use that moment to establish a break rather than immediately going out or playing, you support the dog's own rhythm. Avoid vigorous activity immediately before and after feeding, and instead let the meal be the starting signal for a quiet moment.

The food itself also plays a role in how the dog feels in its body. A dog with an upset stomach or discomfort after feeding finds it harder to relax, and a well-thought-out, well-prepared meal suited to the dog's digestion provides a calmer starting point. ESSENTIAL FOODS' meals are made from fresh produce and human-grade ingredients and are cooked with care so that the dog can digest the food well. Our thinking behind Behaviour Optimizing Food, BOF, is precisely that balanced nutrition helps support the dog's well-being and behaviour in everyday life. If you are unsure what suits your dog best, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisers are ready by phone, chat or email to help you find the right meal.

If your dog repeatedly experiences an upset stomach, a meal that is gentle on digestion can make a difference in everyday life. In the collection Sensitive stomach you will find relevant meals gathered with the delicate stomach in mind. If the discomfort is persistent, you should always discuss it with your veterinarian.

When noise and commotion make the dog tense

Some dogs find it especially hard to relax when there are loud noises or unusual activity around them. Fireworks, thunderstorms and other powerful sounds can put a dog into a state of high alert that is difficult to come down from. Here it is less about training calm in the moment itself and more about creating a safe haven: a place the dog can retreat to, subdued surroundings and your own calm presence without excessive comforting that can unintentionally confirm the insecurity.

Preparation is often what works best. If you know that your dog reacts to certain situations, you can work on a sense of security well in advance. Our guide Dog Afraid Of Fireworks Reassurance gives concrete advice on how to help a dog that becomes insecure around noise. If your dog's restlessness is pronounced or accompanied by signs that worry you, it is always a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about the right approach.

Your own calm rubs off on the dog

Dogs read us all the time. If you are stressed, worked up or eager for the dog to finally lie down, it senses it and finds it harder to switch off. One of the most overlooked methods for getting a dog to relax is therefore to slow your own pace, speak calmly and avoid making a big deal of either departure or reunion. The more everyday and undramatic you make the quiet moments, the easier it is for the dog to settle into them.

At the same time, be patient. A dog that is used to being on guard does not learn to relax in a single afternoon. It takes repetition and consistency before the new routines take hold. Reward the moments when the dog seeks calm on its own, rather than only reacting when it is restless - that way relaxation becomes something it pays off for the dog to choose.

Calm tailored to the dog's life stage and everyday life

What creates calm depends on who the dog is. A puppy has an enormous need for rest and quickly becomes overstimulated, which is why fixed breaks are absolutely crucial in the first months. For puppies you will find thoughtful advice straight from ESSENTIAL FOODS in our Puppy universe, where you can delve into everything from routines to the right puppy meals - see, among other things, The Best Start With Your Puppy.

A senior dog needs everyday life to take into account that the body does not recover quite as easily as before, and that the golden years may involve both more sleep and a more moderate routine. And a dog with a high activity level requires more release before it can find calm than a dog with a more moderate everyday life. Whatever the life stage, calm is not something you force out, but something you make room for. When the routines, the activity, the meal and the sense of security work together, the dog stops being on guard - and settles down, because it no longer has any reason not to.