Creating a Safe Space for Your Dog

Why are Safe Spaces Important

Safe spaces from scary things are an essential part of keeping your dog happy and comfortable when things get hectic and as we come into Autumn and Winter there are lots of times this could be useful. 

🎃 Halloween

🎆 Bonfire Night

🎅 Christmas

However, safe spaces can also be useful for dogs who struggle with sounds outside, visitors, and even for dogs who struggle to settle when owners are working from home. Give it a try.

What is a Safe Space

Safe spaces should not be a place that you lock your dog in. It should be a spot that your dog goes to when they feel stressed, where they have positive associations and can regulate themselves to feel more calm and safe.

Examples include quiet rooms or corners, open crates with covers, cosy corners away from the door or busy thoroughfares through the home.

Can I Use a Closed/Locked Crate?

Crates with a door that is always closed when the dog is inside would not be considered a safe space, as a dog needs to know that they can leave small enclosed areas to feel safe during times of worry, like during fireworks.

Whilst dogs can easily be trained to be comfortable inside locked crates and often are, that is a separate use of the crate and with the right management, a crate can (and should) be used for both things. 'Comfortable' does not automatically mean 'feels safe'.

Some dogs will freely come and go from an open crate, choosing to enter and resting comfortably, but are still happy to rest when the door is locked. But if there are signs of trying to get out, such as pawing at the door, crying or constantly moving, then it wouldn't be considered a safe space.

How Does a Safe Space Help My Dog Cope With Fears

Dogs often make quite specific associations. For example, a particular window may be associated with fireworks because that's where most of the sound comes from. Dogs that react badly to people at the door will get stressed about the front door on Halloween because of the repeated need to react.

Safe spaces can be set up away from these sources of worry and used to build up associations with positive and, most importantly, relaxed things. This means that whilst in this space, your dog is more likely to feel positive and relaxed. Think of it as scaffolding their self-regulation. A dog that cannot regulate its emotions will perform unwanted behaviours as a result, such as indoor toileting, over-reacting to things they see or hear, barking, digging and destroying.

Providing a way to calmly regulate their big feelings teaches dogs how to self-regulate in future.

How Do I Create a Safe Space?

Choose a place your dog seems to be comfortable that is:

• away from heavy footfall

• not near doors or windows if these are a source of stress

• not draughty and cold

It may also be useful to consider 'white noise' in the chosen area, as this can be helpful for some dogs who find noises are a trigger. Things like humming fans, fridges in the kitchen, or even a small radio can help. Classical music is great for dogs who are noise sensitive. Adding comforting scents like Pet Remedy can also help.

Think about where your dog chooses to be when they relax by themselves and start there. It could be a favourite spot on the sofa, or a completely different room, but remember - no matter how comfortable you think it SHOULD be, your dog needs to actually find it comfortable for it to work.

The next step is to make it cosy! Add a bed, blankets, soft toys if your dog can have them safely. If it's a dark corner, consider a nightlight. If it's a crate, try covering with a blanket (whilst maintaining airflow and ventilation). For dogs that like to bury themselves and snuggle in to sleep, use blankets to give that 'nest' feeling.

Creating a Positive Association

Once you have a cosy spot, it's time to build up that positive association.

Choose some calm activities such as lickmats, stuffed Kongs, puzzle games (if your dog does them calmly), snuffle mats and long lasting chews that are irresistible. Set one or two up in your dog's safe space and keep things quiet and calm whilst they enjoy them. Once done, quietly remove them and let your dog decide whether to stay or leave.

Repeat this over several daily sessions, remembering that they should be free to choose whether to come or go from this area. You could also put a few small tasty treats into the bed/blankets when your dog is not there, so that they find them later 'by accident'. This will encourage them to independently investigate the safe space when you are not present, having a sniff and a snuffle and maybe settling there.

This training must first be done when there are no negative things to worry about. Building the positive association will be quicker and stronger if it is done during calm, quiet times, particularly as we want 'calm and quiet' to be part of the picture we create in the safe space. Once the association is created and your dog is comfortable and happy in that place, then you can encourage them to go there when there is a problem, such as people at the door or noises outside the window.

Using Your Safe Space

For dogs who have everyday issues with noises outside or door knocking, you can regularly invite them to enter the safe space and put down one of the soothing activities discussed for building a positive association when they hear or see a trigger. This helps to avoid them stacking up the stress from each subsequent reaction, making them worse and worse.

For specific events like Halloween, Bonfire night or visits from family or friends, be sure to spend a few days in the run up to this event building up extra positive association. Then, on the day,

direct them to the safe space if they seem to be struggling and offer a calming activity such as a lick or snuffle mat, Kong or chew.

In time, and with enough positive association practise, your dog will learn to go there independently and will choose to use the space to relax in even if there is nothing going on.

In Summary

DO:

• make a cosy space that your dog likes

• build a positive association with it

• let them come and go freely

• use calming activities to encourage them to use the area

• comfort your dog if they need it

DON'T

• lock them in if they don't feel comfortable with it

• force them to go in or stay in the safe space

• block them in by sitting or standing in the way, even if you are trying to comfort them

Need help with noise phobias or excessive barking at the door? Get in touch for one to one support in helping your dog.