Is Your Dog Anxious? A Guide to Recognizing and Managing Dog Anxiety
- AJ Davidson
- May 14
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Is your dog acting out when you're not home, pacing restlessly, or licking the fur off their body? Just like us, our four-legged friends can suffer from anxiety — and it’s more common than many pet parents realize. Anxiety in dogs can take many forms, and when left unchecked, it can seriously impact their happiness and overall well-being. Understanding what causes anxiety in dogs and recognizing the signs can be the first step toward getting them the help they need. Once you’re aware of the signs, you can take action to help your pup feel more secure. In this post, we’ll explore the different types of anxiety, how to spot them, and what steps you can take to support your dog in overcoming these challenges.
What Causes Anxiety in Dogs?
Anxiety doesn’t just appear out of nowhere — there’s usually a reason behind it. For our dogs, anxiety often stems from a mix of genetic and environmental factors. Just like people, some pups are naturally more sensitive, while others develop fear or stress responses based on what life throws at them. Understanding why your dog feels anxious is the first step to helping them feel safe and confident. In this section, we’ll explore the genetics, early life influences, and everyday environmental factors that can shape a dog’s emotional well-being.
Born This Way: Genetic and Early Life Factors
Some dogs seem naturally more anxious than others — and that’s not your imagination. A dog’s tendency toward anxiety can be influenced by both genetics and early life experiences. Think of it like nature and nurture working together. For example, puppies that miss out on key socialization opportunities or are exposed to stress too early in life may grow up more fearful or reactive. Those early months are crucial — they help shape how your dog understands and responds to the world.
On the genetics side, researchers have been digging into what makes some dogs more prone to anxiety. One gene in particular — the serotonin transporter gene — has gained a lot of attention. It plays a big role in regulating mood and emotional balance in both humans and dogs. If this gene is subjected to alterations or mutations, it can cause a serotonin imbalance, which have been associated with anxiety in both dogs and humans.
What’s more, some breeds are simply more genetically wired to experience separation anxiety. That means even with a loving, stable home, these dogs might still struggle when left alone. Scientists are continuing to study these genetic patterns with the goal of creating more targeted, effective treatments in the future. So, if your pup seems a little more on edge than others, know that biology and early life experiences could be playing a role.
Environment Matters: Life Changes and Daily Stress
A dog’s environment, both past and present, can have a huge impact on how they handle fear and anxiety. Two key factors that contribute to fearfulness are lack of early social experiences and aversive or traumatic events at any age. Dogs who weren’t well-socialized as puppies or who went through stressful situations during their “sensitive periods” are often more fearful and reactive.
Beyond early life, daily routines and lifestyle habits influence behavior. Research shows that dogs who don’t get enough exercise, like those with shorter daily walks, may be more prone to developing anxiety disorders. Exercise has been shown to be an antidepressant in humans and dogs, so physical activity may play a bigger role in canine anxiety disorders than many people realize.
Dogs who don’t spend a lot of time with other animals tend to be more fearful due to the lack of social experiences. Also, dogs with anxiety often spend less time alone and engage in fewer activities like training or play. This can become a cycle: Fearful dogs are harder to include in activities, which can lead to more isolation and fewer enrichment opportunities.
When It Becomes a Problem
Some anxiety is normal. Dogs can feel nervous in unfamiliar situations, during thunderstorms, or when they're separated from their humans for the first time. But for some pups, that anxiety doesn’t go away — it grows over time and becomes something much harder to manage.
This is when anxiety becomes pathological. In cases like phobias or separation anxiety, the dog may enter a loop of uncontrollable stress, even when there’s no clear trigger. This mental loop keeps them from returning to a calm, balanced state, making daily life feel overwhelming. Left unaddressed, it can seriously impact your dog’s well-being and your relationship with them. Recognizing when fear crosses the line into a chronic anxiety disorder is key to getting your dog the help they need.
Common Canine Anxiety Disorders and Symptoms
Understanding the different types of anxiety disorders in dogs is crucial for identifying what your dog might be experiencing and how you can help them. Just like humans, dogs can experience a range of anxiety-related behaviors, and knowing the signs of each type can make all the difference in providing the right support. Whether it’s separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, or compulsive behaviors, each condition has its unique symptoms and triggers. By recognizing these patterns, you can better assess the underlying issues your dog is facing and take steps to address them in a targeted way.
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a common issue where dogs become extremely distressed when they’re left alone or separated from their favorite human. It often starts in puppyhood, especially if a dog didn’t get a chance to slowly and naturally become more independent from their mother or early caregiver.
This issue can pop up if your dog is used to being with you all the time — say, during a vacation or work-from-home period — and then suddenly finds themselves alone. Traumatic events can trigger separation anxiety, as well as big life changes like adopting a dog from a shelter, a family member moving out, or a new pet in the house.
Signs of separation anxiety often start before you even leave the house. If your dog struggles with this issue, you might notice:
Excessive whining, howling, or barking
Chewing items that smell like you (such as shoes, clothes, or furniture) when you’re not in the room
Pacing or attempting to escape, like scratching at doors or windows
House soiling, even if they’re normally well-trained
Excessive drooling, vomiting, or refusing to eat
Clingy behavior when you're home, including following you from room to room
Over-the-top greetings when you return, even after short absences
Generalized Anxiety
Some dogs seem to be always anxious, no matter what’s going on. This is called generalized anxiety. It’s like a constant state of worry that doesn’t go away, and it can wear your dog down over time. Dogs with generalized anxiety may always seem on alert, like they’re waiting for something bad to happen.
We can group the symptoms of generalized anxiety in dogs into three categories, thanks to research by Diez (1991):
Physical Symptoms
Trembling, shivering, and general restlessness
Muscular tension, frequent blinking, tense facial expressions, or hyperactivity
Trouble sitting still, easily startled, or unusually fatigued from muscle tension
Autonomic Symptoms (a.k.a symptoms related to the autonomic nervous system)
Rapid heartbeat (palpitations), panting, or shortness of breath
Nausea, diarrhea, or digestive upset
Sweating, trembling, cold or clammy paws
Dilated pupils, dizziness, and chest tightness
Mental Symptoms
Constant scanning of the environment, also known as "sentinel behavior"
Insomnia or frequent sleep disruptions
Irritability, impatience, and a heightened startle response
Difficulty focusing or settling down, especially in new situations
Compulsive Behaviors
When dogs don’t know how to handle their stress, they sometimes develop compulsive behaviors, also known as displacement behaviors —sort of like coping mechanisms that get out of hand. What starts as a way to self-soothe can turn into something more disruptive and ingrained over time. These behaviors might seem quirky or harmless at first, but when they become excessive or interfere with daily life, they’re often a sign of deeper anxiety. These behaviors may intensify if left untreated, becoming harder to interrupt or redirect.
Obsessive-compulsive behavior in dogs is often grouped into three categories: conflict behaviors, emptiness, and stereotypes.
Conflict behaviors are typically seen in dogs living in restricted or destitute environments. This category includes behaviors like drinking their own urine, tics, or even cannibalism.
Empty behaviors are those the dog unconsciously performs without a present stimulus or goal. Licking, masturbation, and self-mutilation are common examples.
Stereotyped behaviors are repetitive actions that vary widely from one dog to another. These can include excessive grooming, nose and lip licking, circling, tail chasing, yawning, pacing, air snapping, and rhythmic barking. Some of these behaviors may be caused by a physical condition, so make sure to rule this out with your vet first.
Supporting Your Dog’s Recovery
If you’ve noticed your dog struggling with anxiety, it’s important to take action to help them feel more secure. Start by creating a calm and predictable environment at home to create a sense of safety. Incorporating physical exercise and mental enrichment, such as puzzle toys or training games, will help alleviate stress and boost their confidence. Even small, consistent changes in their routine can make a big difference over time.
For more severe anxiety, it's essential to seek guidance from a vet and a behaviorist or trainer who can help develop a comprehensive treatment plan. This may involve a combination of medication and targeted training techniques like desensitization and counter-conditioning to address the root causes of their anxiety.
With a background in rehabilitating fearful and anxious dogs, I have the skills and experience to help you create a personalized treatment plan that fits your dog's needs. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and take that first step toward a calmer, happier life for your pup. Your dog deserves peace of mind, and together, we can help them find it.
Sources
Calm Dogs. (2023, August 30). Understanding canine anxiety: The role of genetics in dog behavior. https://doganxiety.com/is-your-dogs-anxiety-genetic-hereditary-factors/
Delgado, B. A. & Talegon, M. I. (2011). Anxiety Disorders. ResearchGate. Https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221914333_Anxiety_Disorders_in_Dogs
Tiira, K., & Lohi, H. Early Life Experiences and Exercise Associate with Canine Anxieties. PLoS One. 2015 Nov 3;10(11):e0141907. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141907. PMID: 26528555; PMCID: PMC4631323.
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