However, if your dog isn’t too aroused, you can help to calm her with touch, but it’s important to be aware of how you’re touching her. Owners who are anxious often pet their dogs with short, rapid little pats to the head and neck. Do it on yourself and see how soothing it is. (Not very.) Just as it’s important to keep your voice different in tone from your internal emotions when you’re trying to influence your dog, you need to learn to massage your dog with long, slow strokes when you want to soothe her, even if you yourself are nervous. It’s all that I can do in the lobby of the vet’s office
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