Living

7 Words That Instantly Calm Your Dog

By Beth Ann Mayer Parade Pets

Updated April 18, 2026 3:20 AM

A Boston Terrier hearing calming words. Getty Images Kmatta

Whether you consider your dog a lovable dope or the smartest pet on Earth, you may wonder if they know what you're saying. It turns out, dogs can understand some words. That's why when your furry companion is feeling stressed, over excited or anxious, you can help tone down their emotions by saying certain terms and phrases. So, what words can calm down a dog? There are actually several that pet experts say work. Below you'll learn 7 words that can instantly calm down a dog, according to a trainer.

That way, when you need to figure out how to help your dog relax, you'll know what you can say to support your dog's emotional regulation and help regulate your dog's stress response. However, because a dog's brain works different than a person's does and they communicate differently, just saying certain phrases and words won't work unless they are paired with associative learning. What does that mean? "This means that dogs will link specific words, tones and gestures to actions or objects," explains Shannon Kenny, CPDT-KA, a professional dog trainer at Woofz, a puppy and dog training app. "Dogs are extremely proficient in pattern recognition." Because of that, it's possible that some words can sooth your dog if your pet associates the term with a Zen vibe.

Keep reading to discover words that promote relaxation if they're paired with consistent associations and specific tones and body language. Trust us, you'll want to memorize all of these.

7 Words That Can Instantly Calm Your Dog, According to a Trainer

Try saying these words to instantly calm your dog down in soft, gentle tones, helping regulate your pet's nervous system. Use them consistently in calm situations first so your dog associates the words with safety and positive outcomes, then gradually apply them during mildly stressful moments to reinforce that response. Pairing the words with relaxed body language and slow movements can further enhance their effect, making it easier for your dog to settle and refocus.

1. Saying their name

Using your dog's name can be an effective way to quickly regain their attention and help interrupt rising stress or overstimulation. Kenny says dogs usually know their name very well. That's why saying their name out loud can actually have a soothing effect on your pup.

"When consistently paired with positive consequences, it can be a great tool to get their attention," Kenny explains. "If you can quickly redirect your dog's focus to you, it's much more likely that you'll be able to interrupt any escalating behavior and provide them with an easier or more calming activity."

2. Saying the name of a place

Another dog training tip when it comes to helping your dog relax is to say the name of a place they can go. Kenny says this cue teaches dogs to go to their bed or mat, lie down and stay put. "This is an excellent behavior to help your dog calm down," Kenny says. "It can give your dog a clear job to do instead of choosing a behavior that you may not like."

Pro tip: Start teaching this and using this cue when the stakes are way lower than high-tailing it out the door. "If it's practiced in calm situations first, it's more likely to remind your dog that they can be calm in a 'real-life' situation, too," Kenny notes.

3. Mentioning "walk"

If you need an idea to help with dog anxiety relief that can encourage you dog to calm down, try saying "walk" as it can help shift their behavior. In fact, this calming word can act as a powerful reset cue for dogs, helping redirect their focus and support natural dog anxiety relief through movement and stimulation.

"The actual walk can be great physical and mental exercise," Kenny reports. "Moving, sniffing and exploring can be regulating for a dog, and it can provide an outlet for excess energy."

4. Telling them to "find it"

Learning how to calm a dog down can be confusing as a pet parent at times. Though sometimes simple games can be a great trick when your pup is over excited or feeling anxious or super excited about something.

"'Saying 'find it' is a simple cue to your dog that you're going to toss food onto the ground," Kenny says. "It's a type of pattern game, which has been shown to create predictability for dogs and lower their arousal level. It encourages sniffing and can help to interrupt and redirect stress or overexcitement."

5. Telling them to "sit"

Kenny states that saying "sit" is another word that helps dogs feel less anxious. "If it's easy for your dog to do, it can be a great way to redirect their attention or pause their movement for a short period of time," she explains. "It also gives your dog a clear task to do that can earn a reward."

This type of cue is often used in positive reinforcement training, not necessarily to instantly relax a dog, but to interrupt escalating behavior and encourage focus.

Important caveat: A sitting dog isn't always a calm one. "Humans can do this as well," Kenny explains. "If you were extremely nervous about an important job interview and sitting on the bus to get there, would you look outwardly panicked? Probably not. But that doesn't mean you aren't still feeling it. Watch your dog's body language to make sure it actually helps them when you cue it."

6. Saying "crate"

You may be surprised to see "crate" listed as one of the words that will encourage your dog to calm down. But remember: Crates are most beneficial when they're not used for punishment but rather as a safe space. When used in this way, hearing the word "crate" is a cue to a pet that they have permission to take a break.

"If your dog likes their crate, it usually means that they view it as a 'safe zone' and a comfortable space to rest," Kenny explains. "It can be helpful to have a cue that asks your dog to go to their quiet space. They may be more likely to disengage from a situation and settle this way."

7. Saying "good boy/girl"

Calm verbal praise like "good boy" or "good girl" can be one of the simplest and most effective ways to help calm your dog down in stressful situations. "If it's consistently said in a soft tone and paired with reinforcers like attention and touch, then it's probably a great tool to help your dog relax," Kenny explains. "It can be helpful to give off the energy that you're trying to see in your dog."

This simple dog training command is often used as part of positive reinforcement training to help with how to calm an anxious dog in stressful situations. "Most people will start petting their dog at a fast pace, shifting around to see if the vet is coming or talking to their dog quickly," Kenny points out. "All of these behaviors will only increase your dog's stress! If you're aware of what your body language is saying, you can be sure that your dog reads the right message."

Source:

Shannon Kenny, CPDT-KA, a professional dog trainer at Woofz, a puppy and dog training app
Do Dogs Understand What We Say? Ethology.eu

This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 3:10 AM.