Dogs can develop anxiety or fear in a range of situations, like fireworks, storms, being left alone or going in the car. Unfamiliar situations can make dogs panic, especially if they’re not introduced in a positive way.

Knowing how to spot any signs and symptoms of anxiety in dogs means you can help them manage their feelings or change the way they feel.

What is Dog Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, nervousness or worry. All dog breeds can be affected, and most dogs will experience anxiety at some point in their lives, but for some it can become a big problem.

If a dog experiences high levels of anxiety on a regular basis, and is left untreated, it can lead to them developing an anxiety disorder. This can result in behavioural issues and can make them more susceptible to health issues.

Why is My Dog Anxious?

Some of the most common causes of anxiety in dogs include fear, separation and ageing.

Fear-related anxiety can be caused by loud noises, unfamiliar environments, unfamiliar people or animals, or visual items like umbrellas, hats or cars. It can also be from specific situations like car rides, a new dog park or visiting the vet. Thunderstorms and fireworks are common causes of anxiety in dogs.

Separation anxiety is when a dog feels distressed at being left alone or separated from their owner. It can result in behaviour problems, and they exhibit anxiety with behaviour including, having accidents in the house, barking and destructive behaviour like chewing.

Age-related anxiety affects senior dogs and is linked to cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), which is similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. CDS affects memory, perception, and awareness, which causes confusion and anxiety in dogs.

19 Common Signs of Anxiety in Dogs

Dog anxiety symptoms will vary but the most common signs are:

1. Aggression
2. Appeasement grin/submissive smile
3. Avoiding eye contact
4. Barking excessively or growling
5. Compulsive behaviour: excessive itching or biting
6. Cowering: crouched or lowered body with flattened ears and tucked tail
7. Destructive behaviour: biting, scratching or digging
8. Depression
9. Drooling
10. Excessively panting
11. Freezing or moving slowly
12. Hiding away or retreating
13. Jumping, pawing or mounting you
14. Leaning away
15. Restlessness/pacing
16. Reduced appetite
17. Shaking
18. Toileting in the house
19. Yawning and lip licking

Some anxiety in dog symptoms can be easily missed, either because they only display then when left alone, or because you may associate a different cause.

For example, you may assume your dog may have a different health condition, if they're panting heavily, you may think they're hot instead of having anxiety issues.

How to Help a Dog With Anxiety

Situation avoidance is one way to help a dog that’s displaying signs of anxiety when you know what the triggers are.

If your dog shows signs of fear when around moving vehicles, you can avoid busy roads when out walking. Or if the washing machine’s frantic spin cycle scares your dog, you can make sure the door to that room is shut.

In situations where you can’t avoid the cause of their anxiety, there are other things you can do to help your dog:

• Ensure your dog has a safe and quiet space to go to by building them a den. You could also try an anti-anxiety dog bed which are designed for calming an anxious dog (although this isn’t scientifically proven!).
• Distract your dog using their favourite toys and treats.
• Play music or have the television on for a comforting sound, and to help cover up any noises that cause them fear.
• Stay calm and offer gentle reassurance to your dog.
• Try a dog anxiety vest, which apply a certain amount of pressure that helps a worried dog to feel calm.
• Use pheromone diffusers that release a reassuring scent, similar to what a mother dog secretes after birth.

Seasonal Anxiety

Seasonal anxiety in dogs is common due to sudden changes in their normal routine or environment. You may walk your dog less or at different times when the days are shorter. Or you start to have more people in the house due to festive gatherings or parties in the summer.

You may not realise the impact this has on your dog, but any disruptions to their routine can cause anxiety issues. Stick to routine where possible and if you need to make changes, do it slowly.

If you need to change the time you walk, change it by 5 minutes each day until you reach the desired time. If you’re going to have more house guests, make sure your dog can retreat to a quiet place.

Dog Fears and Phobias

Fears and phobias in dogs can develop quickly when they are continuously exposed to fear triggers without any intervention. When introducing your dog to new things do it slowly and try to create a positive association by praising them and keeping your tone happy. This is referred to as de-sensitisation.

Counter-conditioning is useful in dogs that have already developed fears as it changes the way your dog feels about something by teaching them they don’t need to be scared.

You reward and praise your dog when it remains calm around the trigger. But, because your dog has already developed a fear, you’ll need start with short exposure. Gradually increase the time as your dog begins to learn not to be afraid.

If your individual dog’s anxiety is severe, speak to your vet for a referral to a trained animal behaviourist. Your vet can also prescribe anxiety medication for dogs to help them feel calm. Medication should be used alongside behaviour modification techniques to help change the way your dog feels about things.

Never give your dog human anti-anxiety medication as it can be dangerous for them.

How to Prevent Dog Anxiety

Although you can’t fully prevent anxiety in dogs, there are things you can do to help reduce it. Positively exposing your puppy to a variety of social and environmental situations from a young age (up to 14 weeks) will help reduce the chance of them developing any fearful behaviour.

This stage of their life is known as the ‘socialisation period’. At this age they’re better at learning how to respond confidently to different situations, so you can teach your dog to react positively instead of feeling fear.

Obedience training can help to prevent and manage dog anxiety as it helps build trust between pet and owner. These classes are also a great place for your dog to meet other dogs and people in a controlled environment.

Most dogs will experience anxiety at some point in their lives. Some dogs are nervous from a young age and others develop anxiety gradually as they get older. Whether you know the cause or not, there are lots of things you can do to help your dog cope.

Speak to your vet if your dog is showing signs of fear or anxiety. They can rule out any potential health issues, prescribe dog anxiety medication and work with you to develop a dog anxiety treatment plan. 

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis - www.vetstream.com/treat/canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.