Kids are difficult people. When they are throwing tantrums or are anxious, it gets really tough for the parents to calm them down. This is especially true for the toddler.
Toddlers can quickly become impossible to manage, especially when upset or when you can’t fulfill a promise. Kids who have anxieties are also hard to manage. But, you would be absolutely amazed to see that something that appears impossible to you comes naturally to the dogs.
A canine can calm down an anxious kid effortlessly. All your kid needs to do is pet the dog, and there would be a reduction in cortisol production in his body. Cortisol is the stress hormone, responsible for the kid’s heightened anxiety. As the cortisol level goes down, the anxiousness of the kids also lessens.
Pups are so good that even children with autism, when they got a pet dog, showed descending levels of anxiety when compared to kids who didn’t have a pet. Some breeds are inherently more sensitive than others and are particularly gentle with children.
They understand human emotions and support anxious kids. Let’s talk about 7 dog breeds that calm down anxious kids and are a great family pet for homes with children.
Dog Breeds that Calm Down Anxious Kids
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
First, we have the little, adorable Cavalier!
This dog is empathetic with humans, especially with the kids. In fact, there was a study in the year 2015 that revealed these dogs are capable of understanding human emotion simply by looking at their facial expressions. The tone of their voice and body language tells them if they are happy or anxious. This is a great quality, and Cavalier turns out to be the best choice for kids with anxiety issues.
They are absolute lap dogs. Petting and cuddling them augments the production of oxytocin in the brain. This helps in emotional regulation and making a kid (or even an adult) happier.
Cavaliers are also good therapy dogs. Interacting with them helps in reducing the anxiety of kids and calms them down. It is a proven way to de-stress an anxious kid. Cavaliers are approachable in their demeanor and have an overall gentle behavior with kids. This encourages the apprehensive children to open up.
History Tidbit: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was an absolute favorite of King Charles II and his family. Even his kids were often seen hanging out with this dog breed!
2. Havanese
Another small but calm dog that helps calm down anxious kids is the Havanese.
Often known as the velcro dog, this one is super emotionally tied to its owners. It loves them so much that even the idea of leaving their side makes them feel bad. As they are always with their pet parents, they are emotionally connected to them.
The impressively strong physical and emotional attachment behavior gives security to the anxious kids. As these little ones know their furry friend will always be there with them, they feel less fearful of the social situations.
These dogs showcase extremely low aggression levels even with strangers. Hence, it is possible that they will eagerly become friends with your kid’s pals. In fact, in the presence of this dog, your kid and his friends will feel secure and joyous!
Havanese understand emotions and readily offer comfort to kids when they’re upset. As they have a gentle temperament and rarely bark, they don’t overstimulate sensitive children when compared to bigger dogs that are loud and vocal.
This Reddit Thread vouches for the fact that this dog is emotionally available, making it a great service dog
At the time of heightened anxiety, the playful and goofy actions of your dog would be enough to cheer up your toddler!
3. Pug
Oh, the adorable little Pug, an absolute favorite of the kids!
If you have kids at home, there is no reason why you shouldn’t bring a Pug home.
Your children will be absolutely enthralled to see it!
And, if you have a kiddo with anxiety issues, there can be no gift better than this little dog for him.
Historically, these dogs were bred for companionship. They are well-skilled at reading human facial expressions and comprehending them. They not only understand human emotions effortlessly but also behave accordingly.
As a matter of fact, Pugs are capable of making long eye contact with their favorite humans. This is a way of giving them a look of reassurance. This calms the anxious kids down and soothes them.
Anxious kids get triggered when they are around high-energy dogs. A Pug is the perfect match for them as this dog is lazy, calm, and composed, loving to snuggle with your kid most of the time, and interacting with them at a placid level.
Your kid will love a Pug’s company. Make sure to provide these companions with a daily routine and close physical presence. Soon you’ll see your kid being calm and composed, rarely throwing a tantrum!
4. Tibetan Spaniel
The Tibetan Spaniel from ancient China has a naturally calming presence. What else can you expect from a dog that was bred by the Buddhist monks?
Just like most other little dogs, this one also showcases pretty strong attachment behaviors. Alongside this, they are also great at maintaining extended eye contact with humans. This gives reassurance to kids with anxiety, and they realize they are not alone even in hard situations.
These dogs understand emotions and behave accordingly. They intuitively respond to an anxious child’s moods and behaviors and help them calm down. During difficult moments, they get physically close to the kids and touch them gently. This helps in decreasing cortisol levels in the body and reducing stress levels.
Though they have moderate exercise needs, it is necessary to give them enough activity in a day to ensure their proper mental and physical stimulation.
AKC, the American Kennel Club, says this Spaniel is not overly demanding. At home, it behaves as a quiet watchdog. For a lot of kids, this dog is equivalent to a lion plus a toy that is adorably small and soft!
5. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernard, bred by the monks at the Saint Bernard Hospice, is yet another suitable pet for kids with a sensitive nature.
Yes, they are big in size. However, they are so warm and fuzzy, they work as a blanket for the kids when they are anxious over something absolutely trivial.
These gentle dogs are great therapy dogs. They make the kids feel secure. With their calm demeanor, they give kids the much-needed confidence to speak up. As per this study, for a child who often experiences panic, sensory overload, or even emotional meltdowns, this dog turns into the best possible companion.
PDSA says it’s a suitable dog for a big family with different people experiencing different emotions at all times.
Saint Bernards are slow-moving dogs and wouldn’t over-stimulate your already anxious kid. They have a caregiving attitude and may even fetch them their required things during anxiety attacks without being directed.
6. Pekingese
Another dog that is inherently calm and quiet is the Pekingese.
This is a classic example of a non-reactive breed. It is even-tempered and a perfect fit for homes with kids. These small pups don’t trigger anxious kids as they have a gentle demeanor when compared to larger dogs.
Also, they are fiercely loyal to their humans! When trained well, they can use the right kind of emotional expression and voice tone to help the kid get calm and comforted.
A home where you have kids and a Pekingese is a calm home. Here, you will be able to teach everyone consistency and emotional regulation with great ease and efficiency.
Well, this dog is a treat to have, but it’s not low maintenance at all. Rather, you’ll have to put some time and effort into grooming its long and fluffy coat.
Caution: This dog may end up being so emotionally and physically attached to you that, often times you would think it’s the most clingy lapdog to have ever walked on the face of Earth!
7. Basset Hound
One of the least reactive dog breeds, the Basset Hound, is a great choice for a kid with anxiety issues.
As per Health Central, petting this dog can help an anxious kid calm down. This gentle touch and calming gesture lowers cortisol levels in children, automatically reducing their anxiousness.
They are also great therapy dogs. In their passive presence at a professional psychologist’s clinic, there is a reduced heart rate in the anxious kids that helps them open up to the mental health specialist with great confidence.
Bassets are also extremely intelligent and understand how to behave during a panic episode of an anxious kid. They are rarely overwhelmed by noisy environments. As they remain calm under stress, they don’t really cause a double chaos in the house.
Conclusion
Some pets are naturally more suitable for a home where there is an anxious kid. Calm and gentle dogs are a great choice for kids with anxiety when compared to other dogs that are hyperactive and can trigger emotional reactivity. Dog owners need to evaluate the behaviors of dogs keenly before choosing them for their families. Gentle giants and pups with a calm temperament
