Do you know the most common signs of anxiety in dogs? When our precious pups face stress and anxiety, we want to do everything we can to comfort them and make them feel better.
Here are some signs to look for if you suspect your cozy canine companion is suffering from pet anxiety.
Signs of anxiety in dogs include pacing or trembling, panting and drooling, barking, howling or whining excessively, urinating in the house, chewing, clawing, or scratching at the door after you leave, shaking, panic, ears pinned back, excessive lip-licking, hiding or cowering, clinginess, trying to escape their own movements, digging, scratching, and chewing, fidgeting, avoiding eye contact, aggressive or destructive behaviors, lunging towards a person or animal, timid and fearful behavior, and unexpected peeing or pooping.
What are the signs of anxiety in dogs?
As proud pet parents, there’s nothing more painful than seeing our peaceful pups suffer from anxiety. And while the reasons for their stress are not always so clear, we just want to jump in and take away all their worries.
But sometimes we have to walk through the slow and difficult process of identifying the problem by trial and error.
What are the first signs of stress in a dog?
Talk to your veterinarian and make sure that there are no medical concerns that are causing these anxious behaviors. This is the first and most important step in getting to the bottom of your dog’s anxiety.
Once you’ve done that, your work really begins.
In this post, you are going to learn all about the signs of anxiety in dogs, how to calm an anxious dog, signs of separation anxiety in dogs, and what you can do to help your nervous pup.
We’ll also talk about what triggers dog anxiety so that you can be more familiar with the issues that may be causing your dog’s distress.
Finding the root of your dog’s anxiety and creating a healthy plan will ensure that you and your precious pooch live a happy and stress-free life together!
This post is all about identifying and treating the signs of anxiety in dogs so that your peaceful pup does not become nervous and overwhelmed!
Types Of Anxiety In Dogs
1. Separation Anxiety
As we begin to re-open from the Covid-19 shutdown, more and more pet parents are noticing anxiety in their furry family members when leaving them home alone.
Separation anxiety in dogs can occur whether you’re gone for five hours or just five minutes. Dogs are social animals and they can become depressed and anxious without their humans.
For a lot of us, our cozy canines have spent more than a year by our side. And for many of our four-legged friends, the new reality of being left home alone can be overwhelming. It can trigger sudden anxiety in dogs and signs of depression in dogs.
Not to mention the guilt we have as pet parents. It’s hard leaving our cozy canine companions for the first time in a long time, and they seem to sense our stress when leaving them.
Signs Of Separation Anxiety In Dogs
It’s hard to know exactly what our dogs are doing while we’re out of the house. Setting up a cheap camera to monitor your pooch may help. Here are some signs of separation anxiety in dogs to watch for while you’re away.
1. Pacing or trembling
2. Panting and drooling
3. Barking, howling, or whining excessively
4. Urinating in the house
5. Chewing, clawing, or scratching at the door after you leave
How To Deal With Separation Anxiety In Dogs
Here are some things that you can do in order to help ease the transition for your furry bestie while you’re away.
Comings and goings should not be huge events
A simple goodbye is best when you are leaving. If you treat your exit like a goodbye tour, this will bring more anxiety to your pup.
Upon returning, a simple hello will tell your dog that it was not a big deal that you left.
Establishing a sense of calm when leaving and coming home can dramatically decrease stress in your cozy canine.
Start out slowly
Take a few minutes to walk around outside without your pooch. Come and go often. This will help teach your dog that you are not abandoning him every time you walk out the door.
Once he adjusts to these short intervals, you will feel more comfortable increasing the time that you’re gone.
Don’t always follow the same routine
For some canines, just the sight of you getting dressed can cause separation anxiety in dogs. And the sound of you grabbing your keys can send them into a nervous panic.
Try to break the pattern. Do the same things that you would normally do if you were leaving for the day. But just stay home!
Create a safe space while you’re gone
Nothing is going to take the place of you actually being there. But leaving something that makes him feel close to you can help ease his anxiety.
Try leaving a shirt with him that has your scent. Or a special blanket that makes him feel safe and secure.
You can also leave your precious pooch a fun treat that will take him a while to eat. A Kong filled with peanut butter can help keep him content for hours and take his mind off of being alone.
Put on some tunes
Music can be soothing to a pooch left home alone. Turning on the radio or TV can help ease separation anxiety in dogs. It can also drown out any outside noises that may make him feel nervous.
Help your cuddly canine feel comfortable and build trust. You can turn what once was a negative experience into a positive one.
{RELATED POST: 10 Free-Spirited Dog Breeds That Can Be Left Alone – Did Your Clingy Canine Make The Cut?}
2. Noise Anxiety in Dogs
It is estimated that 50% of dogs have some form of noise anxiety. Thunderstorms, fireworks, and sirens can all send your nervous pup hiding under the bed and into an anxious frenzy.
Sometimes even the sound of your washing machine or vacuum cleaner can be a trigger for noise anxiety and/or an anxiety attack in dogs.
Signs of Noise Anxiety
You can’t control all the loud noises that cause your precious pup anxiety. But understanding the signs of noise anxiety in dogs can help you identify when your dog is experiencing this type of behavior.
6. Shaking or trembling
7. Panic
8. Pacing and panting
9. Ears pinned back
10. Excessive lip-licking
11. Hiding or cowering
12. Clinginess
13. Trying to escape their own movements
14. Digging, scratching, chewing
15. Fidgeting
16. Avoids eye contact
How Do I Help My Dog With Noise Anxiety?
While there is no one-size-fits-all way to try and help your furry companion deal with noise-related anxiety, here are a few things that you can do to ease the nervous emotions of your anxious pooch.
Cuddling your pup may not be the best option
Although extremely hard, most experts believe that if you coddle your dog when they exhibit sound sensitivity, they will think they have something to worry about and that their fear is warranted.
Keep your emotions in check
Our furry family members pick up on our emotions. If your dog senses that you are afraid of the sound of thunder, then they will develop the same sensitivity or anxiety.
By acting naturally about the noise situation, you will take a lot of the stress out of your anxious canine.
Bring on the music // How to calm dog anxiety naturally
Music, especially classical music, can be calm and relaxing. It can also mask the sounds of thunder boomers and other scary noises that are raising your dog’s anxiety levels.
Dog Anxiety Vests, Thundershirts, and Wraps
While this method doesn’t calm all dog anxiety attacks, it’s a simple and effective treatment for many.
These shirts help to make your dog feel cozy and secure while distracting them from the scary noises that are causing their anxiety.
Your caring canine’s noise anxiety won’t go away by itself. Explore your options and create a plan to make your pup feel more comfortable during these times.
{RELATED POST: Why Do Dogs Howl? Discover 7 Fascinating Reasons Behind This Distinctive Ghostly Sound}
3. Social Anxiety in Dogs
Social anxiety in dogs is a fear of people, other animals, or unknown places. Dogs are social creatures and crave interaction with others. Proper socialization is essential for all dogs.
A dog may be perfectly fine around its human family members and then become highly anxious around strangers. Failure to socialize can result in a dog with crippling social anxiety.
How Do You Know If Your Dog Has Social Anxiety?
Some dogs may become very timid around strangers or dogs that they don’t know. Others may feel trapped and cornered. This can result in fear aggression and the biological fight-or-flight response. Here are some signs of social anxiety in dogs to look for in determining your pup’s nervous behavior.
17. Aggressive or destructive behavior
18. Lunging towards a person or animal
19. Timid and fearful behavior such as cowering behind their owner
20. Panting and drooling
21. Peeing or pooping and not being aware they are doing it
How to Treat Social Anxiety in Dogs
If your pup is experiencing dog anxiety symptoms or fear in social situations, here are a few things that you can do that may help.
Start out slowly
Start out by letting your devoted dog meet one person at a time. Make sure it is a safe, familiar place for him and that he is the one that initiates the contact.
Make every outing safe and fun
Car rides don’t always have to end up at the vet. Take your pup to a place he enjoys. A quiet park to play or out for a puppuccino may do the trick.
Avoid stressful places
If being around other dogs heightens your pup’s anxiety level, avoid dog parks for now. And, until he is more comfortable, stay away from areas where you may encounter other dogs.
When you think that it’s safe for your caring canine to meet a furry friend, do so very slowly. Choose a calm dog that will not seem threatening. Stay at a close, comfortable distance and limit it to just a short time.
Something as simple as just sitting on your front steps with your pup can help tremendously. It gives him a chance to see other people from the comfort of his own safe environment.
Be sure to reward good behavior and moments when your dog is calm. Your goal is to go very slowly. Avoid letting his social anxiety build. And hopefully, in time he will feel comfortable enough to tolerate a little socializing.
Be patient, don’t rush the process, and always introduce positive reinforcements.
{RELATED POST: 17 Hidden Signs Of Pain In Dogs And How You Can Help}
Just like humans, our dogs cannot just turn off their anxiety. We have to watch for the signs.
And, just like humans, some anxiety-like behaviors seem to be more pronounced as dogs age.
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CCD) is like doggie dementia and can cause extreme anxiety in our more mature babies.
Rescue pups that come from a shelter environment can also have extremely high levels of anxiety. Fear, distrust, trauma, and abandonment can all cause signs of anxiety in dogs.
The loss of a family member or a sudden change in routine can also cause our dogs to have anxiety and can lead to signs of depression in dogs.
But sometimes the cause of anxiety in dogs cannot be determined. It may be possible that your dog is just prone to anxiety. Even in these cases, there is always something that we can do to create a less anxious environment for our four-legged best friends.
How Do You Calm An Anxious Dog?
Helping to ease dog anxiety symptoms is never easy and, in some cases, it may require the help of your veterinarian.
Here are a few things that you can try at home if your veterinarian has already ruled out other illnesses.
Exercise with your pooch // how to calm dog anxiety naturally
Anxiety can cause a surge of energy in your pup. Calm, but not exhausting exercise makes for a calmer frame of mind. Plus, it can give you time to bond with your dog and tire him out at the same time.
There is also the added benefit of seeing other people and their pets.
Physical contact // social anxiety dog training
Giving them plenty of love and talking to them gently and calmly when they are anxious will make a huge difference in the anxiety level of your canine.
Sometimes your touch can be more comforting and soothing than anything else you could do or give your handsome hound.
Massage anyone?
Just like humans, anxiety in dogs often causes muscles to tense. Massaging is a great way to alleviate that tension.
Try massaging your dogs’ ears to reduce their anxiety. Their ears are full of nerve endings. Massaging them sends signals to their brain and relaxes them, increasing the production of endorphins, known as the feel-good hormone.
PETMD has a great article on massage therapy techniques!
Crates
Crates can also be helpful since it is a small place they can feel safe and comfortable.
Add their favorite blanket and an old shirt with your scent to the crate. Couple that with a little music and a few toys and you have the perfect, safe, pooch pad!
Licking is a soothing activity for your pet. Add a Kong toy stuffed with canned pumpkin to the crate and you’ll have a friend for life.
**Crates should not be used as punishment. They should be a safe place where your dog can go to decompress.
The contents of this article are not veterinary advice. This post is meant for general information purposes only.
Summing It All Up – Signs Of Anxiety In Dogs
Signs of anxiety in dogs can present in many ways. Sometimes the symptoms can be normal if they are in uncomfortable situations. But if not, and the anxiety is severe, help may be needed.
In these cases, the safest approach is to talk to your veterinarian. They may recommend a dog anxiety medication to help your dog cope.
When To Talk To Your Veterinarian
- If your dog has multiple signs of anxiety at the same time
- The signs are extreme
- Your pup is in a constant state of anxiety
- If your canine is anxious enough that he is struggling in his day-to-day life
Your veterinarian may also want to evaluate your dog for illness-induced anxiety. This type of sudden anxiety in dogs typically comes on suddenly in a dog that was not normally anxious.
You know your precious pooch better than anyone. If there is something that you are concerned about, never hesitate to talk with your veterinarian.
Treating the signs of anxiety in dogs will not be a quick fix. Don’t get frustrated. Be patient. And remember, it’s not their fault.
The best we can do is get to the root of their issues and help with their triggers.
This post was all about the signs of anxiety in our dogs and what we can do to help them feel safe and live healthier lives.
Other Posts You May Like:
9 Healthiest Large Dog Breeds That Will Boost Our Energy Levels And Keep Us Fit
8 Healthiest Small Dog Breeds – Discover Your New Happy Healthy Hound
7 Insanely Cute Poodle Mixes That Will Melt Your Heart
Thanks for this post, I am a big big fan of this web site would like to keep updated.
Hey there! Thanks so much for your comment. I’m working on an email subscription and newsletter. I’ll send you an email as soon as it’s all set up. Thanks again!
A lot of good suggestions on things you can do to make your dog feel more comfortable and less nervous especially when left alone.