Anxiety: How to Calm Your Dog’s Nerves When You Leave the House

When you come home to torn pillows, shredded furniture, and a trail of destruction, it’s easy to think your dog was just being naughty. In reality, most dogs who tear up the house while you’re gone are struggling with anxiety — not misbehavior. The good news? With a few smart changes to your routine, you can help your dog feel relaxed and secure, even when you’re not around.

🎧 Step One: Keep the Noise Familiar

Silence can be a trigger for anxious dogs. When you’re home, your house is naturally full of noise — voices, TV, music, footsteps. When you leave and everything goes quiet, it can heighten their stress.

• If you normally watch TV, leave it on when you go out.

• If you don’t usually use the TV, try leaving a radio or smart speaker (like Alexa) playing soft music.

• Try to play music when you are at home as well,

• The idea is to match the sound level of when you are home so it feels like nothing has changed.

👕 Step Two: Leave Your Scent Behind

Never underestimate how comforting your smell is to your dog.

• Buy some inexpensive T-shirts and wear them under your regular clothing for a few days.

• Once they’re “ripe,” donate those shirts to your dog — in their bed, crate, or favorite resting spot.

• This works especially well when used with blankets or toys you’ve slept with or sat on.

Your scent = comfort. The stronger the connection, the calmer your dog will be.

🏃 Step Three: Tire Them Out First

A tired dog is a calm dog.

• Even 20 minutes of exercise before you leave can work wonders.

• Follow it up with a long-lasting chew treat or toy that keeps them occupied for another 30 minutes.

• The combo of exercise + chewing often leads straight into a relaxing nap.

Tip: use the scented toys from Step Two to double the comfort!

💊 Step Four: Use Anxiety Treats Wisely

There are calming treats and supplements designed to ease nerves. They can be helpful — but they shouldn’t be the only solution.

• If you use treats, do so alongside the steps above.

• Be aware: once you start relying on treats alone, you’ll likely need to keep buying them long-term.

• The goal is to teach your dog how to self-soothe, not depend on medication forever.

✅ Conclusion: Set the Scene for Success

Dogs act out when they’re stressed — not because they’re “bad.” By keeping familiar background noise, filling their space with your scent, giving them healthy outlets for their energy, and using calming aids if needed, you can turn anxious alone-time into peaceful downtime. Over time, your dog learns that when you leave… everything is okay. Peace of mind for them means peace of mind (and an intact house!) for you.