What to do if a pet won't settle?

Updated 16/05/2023

We always want our pets to feel content, especially in the comfort of our homes. Coping with a pet that won’t settle can be a stressful experience, and even more so if you don’t understand why it’s happening. It’s important that dogs learn to relax on their own, especially when you’re busy at home or out of the house for a few hours. 

Our guide will help you learn how to calm a dog down as well as teach them how to settle when there are distractions happening.

Why unsettled behavior occurs in dogs

There are many reasons your dog may be unsettled, including hyperactivity, diet or anxiety. Let’s take a look at the most common reasons why a dog paces around the house. Once you understand their behavior, you can work on improving it.

Hyperactivity 

For some pups, the reason they won’t settle is because they are so full of energy they simply can’t sit still, or they have become overwhelmed or overstimulated. If your dog is a sporting, working or just a high-energy type, it may just be a case of them needing some stimulation or a sign that the right routine hasn’t quite been established yet. 

Boredom 

If your dog is bored, they will pace up and down looking for someone or something to entertain them. If they don’t get enough exercise or their brain hasn’t been stimulated enough, they will quickly become restless and eventually become destructive in the house. 

Stress 

Stress and anxiety are huge factors when it comes to a pet not settling. A pup may be anxious for many reasons including changes in routine, as well as loud noises like fireworks and storms. In certain dogs anxiety can also be caused by separation anxiety, especially in puppies and rescue dogs where you do not know their history. This type of anxiety is challenging to work through but can be reduced with the help of a calming routine and some patience. 

Attention seeking 

Sometimes a dog is restless when they want your attention. Once your pup realizes that their pacing gets them attention, the behavior may become a habit. Your pup may be feeling a little needy or insecure, especially during the holidays or family occasions where they aren’t the center of attention. Another scenario where this happens is if there's a new addition to the family (either animal or human) so they receive less attention.

Insufficient exercise 

If your dog's exercise needs are not met, they will quickly become frustrated and restless. Every pup is different but typically a dog needs a minimum of thirty minutes of physical activity a day to keep them fit and content and to mentally stimulate them. If your fur baby is still unsettled after their daily walk, consider taking them outside or to the park for a game of fetch.

What to do if your dog is unsettled

How to calm a dog down all depends on the reason(s) as to why they are unsettled in the first place. Once you’ve identified the cause, you can work on improving and even eradicating the behavior altogether. Here are our top tips: 

Exercise 

A tired dog is a happy dog so give your dog as much exercise as possible. If they seem raring to go after their morning walk, consider a second one later on in the day or schedule in some ball play at the park. Giving your dog as much physical activity as possible in most cases will resolve their desire to pace. Be inventive with how you exercise your dog - the more variety the better!

Stimulation 

If your pup is restless because they are bored, keeping their brain active is the best solution. Playtime is an excellent way to give your pup’s brain a workout. Whether it’s hiding a treat in a snuffle mat, or keeping them engaged with their favorite toy, they’ll appreciate the challenge and be a lot calmer too. There are lots of different puzzle toys you can purchase to keep your dog occupied for longer. Just make sure they are age and breed-appropriate for your dog. 

Remember that walking your pup isn’t just important for their physical strength, it also benefits their mind. Letting your pooch stop and sniff wherever they like allows them to process all the different smells around, getting them nicely tired in the process.

Calm environment 

Maintaining a calm environment is crucial to reducing stress and ultimately learning how to calm a dog down. If your dog is pacing because of stress, try to identify the trigger. It could be that they don’t like loud noises, or they may be picking up on your own anxiety. By getting to the root of the problem, you will eventually learn how to eliminate the problem altogether. 

A couple of more practical tips to include in the interim include calming scented sprays and keeping a structured routine. If the problem continues, your dog may be struggling with more intense anxiety and need support from an animal behaviorist.

Reassurance 

Sometimes all an anxious pup needs is reassurance. Let your dog pace for a couple of minutes. If they settle down, then they may have just been goading you for attention. If they continue to pace, ask yourself why they’re trying to catch your attention. 

Do they need to go outside? Have they been to the toilet recently? Are they in need of some playtime? Or, perhaps they could just use some good old-fashioned petting. 

Rewarding good behavior 

Finally, it’s important to reward relaxed behavior from your dog. Any behavior that doesn’t involve pacing, barking or even staring at you for attention should be reacted to positively with a treat and/or verbal praise. 

You can do this by sitting quietly on the couch with your dog on a blanket on the floor or beside you. Reward them with treats when they settle down on the blanket and gradually reward more relaxed behaviors such as head resting and sighing.

In summary, your dog's unsettled demeanor can be caused by many factors. It can be due to a recent stressful experience causing them anxiety, or simply just a loud noise happening next door. Once you have found an explanation for your dog’s restlessness, take action as quickly as possible to nip the problem in the bud swiftly. Keep in mind that there is always a reason behind your pet's behavior and they aren’t acting unsettled to intentionally bother you. 

When it comes to how to calm a dog down, it takes time and patience. Finding the right treatment will benefit both you and your pup. Your dog will be calm and relaxed in the home, and in turn you’ll be able to relax too and enjoy your pet's company.

Meet our veterinary expert, Emma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS. Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.

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