1. Separate Your Pup From The Stress
If your dog starts licking their lips around certain people, other dogs, loud noises, or new experiences...
Try creating some distance from whatever is upsetting them.
This can immediately stop the situation from escalating and give your pup a chance to relax.
2. Show Your Dog There's Nothing To Worry About
Your dog looks to you for information about the world...
And they pay close attention to your voice, body language, and reactions.
That means your dog notices when you're feeling
tense,
anxious, or
relaxed.
The calmer you are, the more likely your pup will see there's no reason to panic.
After giving your dog a bit more space to relax, try to model the calm behavior you'd like to see from them.
Use a gentle voice, move slowly, and breathe deeply.
Give your pup a few soft pets and tell them that everything is OK.
Just a few seconds of being relaxed around your pup can give them that warm sense of security.
3. Redirect Their Attention
Finally, after you've given your pup some space and helped them relax, try redirecting your dog’s attention to something positive.
You can ask them to do one of their go-to tricks, like sitting...
Give them one of their favorite treats...
Or lead them to explore a quiet, calm area.
