It is important that our dogs have somewhere to go to release any stress that has built up throughout the day using calming activities (learn more about Trigger Stacking here). A Safe Space is somewhere our dogs can go to relax away from any stress (positive or negative). Recognising when we need to step back and take care of ourselves is a skill and it is something we need to teach our dogs how to do too!
A safe space can be anything that your dog can relax in, and it is a space of their own. You want to avoid having a safe space in:
- High traffic areas (e.g., in the middle of your kitchen).
- Anywhere that you would need to reach over (e.g., under a shelf that you constantly use) or somewhere that you need to walk past (e.g., your hallway) as this will prevent our dogs settling.
The safe space is like our dog’s bedroom and very much like our own bedrooms, we do not want loads of people constantly walking in, making loads of noise, or talking to use if we are trying to settle in our bed. When our dogs are relaxing in their safe space then give them space and ignore them to help them to settle. Avoid going into your dog’s safe space, opting to clean and tidy their space while they are out on a walk. Ideas for safe spaces include:
- Crate (if your dog finds this calming).
- X Pen in the corner of a room.
- A spare room that you can devote to your dog.
What to include in a safe space:
- Settle aid
- Bowl of water
- Comfortable bed
- Calming sounds or music. This does not have to be classical music; it is whatever sounds our dogs find calming. Have a think about when your dog is normally calm? This is typically in the evenings with us while we are settling and emptying our stress balloons. This could be the sound of the TV, of us nattering to one another or on the phone, to the radio, or music if that is how we unwind. I recommend recording whatever sound it may be and playing it while your dog is in their safe space.
- Ensure that only activities that are calming goes into their safe space. Avoid putting anything fun or exciting as this will fill their balloon instead of emptying it.
