Dog Anxiety: Signs, Causes, and Treatment

Puppies and dogs encounter new and exciting challenges around every corner: unfamiliar people, new animals, new places, and changes to their routine (such as changes in your work schedule, a move to a new home, or a visit to the boarding kennel).

It is normal for a pup to experience some fear and anxiety when exposed to new things, as this is a natural response for survival. But when a dog takes a long time to recover after a stressful experience or encounter, or when your pup cannot recover at all, this indicates a problem.

Around 20–25% of dogs show fearfulness of new people, dogs, and situations. This anticipation of a perceived threat or situation is called dog anxiety.

You can help your dog feel safer and cope with new or frightening situations in many ways, including through positive reinforcement, training, and over-the-counter natural supplements like Zylkene that promote calm, balanced behavior.

What Is Dog Anxiety?

Experiencing new things can be exciting for your dog, but if these new experiences are not all positive and fun, they can cause your dog to feel stressed.

Dog anxiety occurs when your pup’s negative experiences turn into fear of new people, animals, experiences, places, and separation from family members.

Many dogs show signs of anxiety only in specific situations, while other dogs seem generally anxious, showing fearful reactions in a wide range of situations.

Dog anxiety can also be caused by medical conditions including pain and underlying disease.

The best first step is to work with your vet to determine the most likely cause of your dog’s anxiety.

Symptoms of Anxiety in Dogs

Just like people, dogs communicate through body language.

According to the Canine Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) Spectrum, you can detect these subtle signs and important clues in your dog.

Signs of mild anxiety in dogs:

• Licking lips
• Yawning
• Avoiding eye contact
• Turning the head away

Signs of moderate anxiety in dogs, which include the same as those seen in mild cases plus the following:

• Putting ears back
• Furrowing brow
• Fidgeting
• Panting
• Refusing treats

Signs of severe anxiety in dogs, which include the same as those seen in mild and moderate cases plus the following:

• Tucking tail
• Slinking or running away
• Widening eyes (with the whites showing)
• Dilating pupils
• Trembling
• Staring
• Showing teeth

Dogs with anxiety may also display unwanted behaviors, including:

• Losing interest in activities they used to enjoy
• Regressing (appearing not as well trained as they used to be)
• Engaging in destructive behavior (chewing on furniture, doors, windows, or crates, for example)
• Barking and whining
• Shaking
• Having potty accidents
• Drooling
• Pacing or exhibiting restlessness
• Losing appetite
• Engaging in repetitive behaviors (tail-chasing, spinning)
• Growling, lunging, or biting

Causes of Anxiety in Dogs

Start keeping a journal and pay close attention to your dog’s body language, including what might have triggered your dog’s abnormal behavior.

Common causes of dog anxiety include:

• Medical conditions, such as pain (dental disease, neurological pain, arthritis, gastrointestinal issues), inflammation, or dog dementia or canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCD or CDS) in senior dogs
• Separation anxiety, which happens when your dog doesn’t feel confident and content when separated from family members. (It is estimated that 14–20% of dogs have separation anxiety.)
• Change in your household or your dog’s daily routine
• Car rides
• Veterinary hospitals or grooming facilities
• Unfamiliar dogs
• Unfamiliar people
• Loud noises, including thunder, fireworks, construction work, trucks, or vacuum cleaners
• Boarding kennels
• Parks (public parks and dog parks)
• Unfamiliar floors or surfaces, such as grass, tile, wood floors, or stairs, especially if your pup hasn’t been exposed to them before

How Veterinarians Diagnose Dog Anxiety

Veterinarians diagnose dog anxiety by:

• Performing a physical examination
• Performing lab tests or X-rays to investigate medical causes of anxiety
• Recognizing the signs of fear, anxiety, and stress in your dog’s body language and behavior
• Reviewing video recordings of your dog displaying abnormal behavior

Dog Anxiety Treatment

Treatment for dog anxiety depends on the cause and can include:

• Veterinary medical treatment. If your vet diagnoses your dog with an underlying medical condition, they will determine the best treatment plan.
• Sessions with a certified professional dog trainer. The certified professional trainer will create a behavior modification plan to help transform the emotional response your dog has to certain triggers.
• Anti-anxiety medication. Depending on the severity of your dog’s anxiety, your vet might prescribe medication in addition to training.
• Science-backed, positive reinforcement training. Use a reward-based method to encourage behaviors you want to see.
• A stress-free environment at the vet. Work with your vet to take the fear out of veterinary visits and make them fun.

Other Ways To Help Dogs With Stress

Natural Calming Supplements

Dogs experiencing stressful situations may benefit from a calming supplement like Zylkene, which contains alpha-casozepine, a milk protein that supports calm, balanced behavior.

Available in capsules that can be opened and mixed with your dog’s food or given whole with a treat, Zylkene can be used daily on a short-term or long-term basis.

For short-term use, administer Zylkene one to two days before the stress-inducing event. Some dogs might need earlier administration (five to seven days before the event).

Always speak with your veterinarian before starting your dog on a new medication or supplement.

Calming Pheromones

Pheromone sprays and diffusers imitate a mother’s natural nursing pheromones to help dogs feel calm and secure.

Anti-Stress Diets

Certain veterinary diets are formulated to help promote calm behavior and manage stress-related digestive upset.

Exercise and Play

Dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds need daily exercise and play for their health, happiness, and mental enrichment. Be sure to engage your dog’s brain and body through interactive play. Do 15 minutes of fun, easy training with your dog and play enrichment games like “find the toy” to help your dog expend mental energy.

Calm Arrivals and Departures

Staying quiet and unemotional during your comings and goings to and from your home helps your dog remain calm. This can be particularly effective for dogs with separation anxiety.

Prevention of Anxiety in Dogs

Puppies who have not been properly socialized or exposed to unfamiliar experiences can mature into fearful, anxious dogs.

Here are some ways you can prevent anxiety in your dog.

Socialize Your Pup

When your puppy is 3–12 weeks of age, they are the most receptive to new things. This is the best time to introduce your puppy to new encounters by associating these encounters with lots of treats and praise.

Unvaccinated puppies are susceptible to disease, so be sure to speak with your vet about how to keep your puppy safe during socialization outings, such as:

• Setting up a pet blanket for your puppy to sit on, while leashed, in a public space.
• Using a dog stroller or carrying your puppy instead of letting them walk on the ground in a public space.
• Allowing your puppy to interact only with healthy, fully vaccinated dogs.

Create a Safe Space for Independent Time

Train your puppy to use a dog crate. Don’t think of a dog crate as a punishment but rather as a haven for your puppy to relax and recharge, spending time on their own during the day. This helps your puppy build confidence and independence.

Start a Consistent Daily Routine

Just like a predictable routine is comforting to people, knowing what to expect every day helps your dog feel calmer and more open to learning.

Create Fun Activities

Start 15-minute training sessions daily and give your dog plenty of exercise. Use an enrichment bowl during mealtime and interactive puzzle toys during downtime.

Be Patient

Take your time when it comes to new training and schedules with your dog.

Make Vet Visits Fun

Dropping by for brief, happy visits just to say hello, taking your time during appointments, and bringing plenty of your pup’s favorite treats are all ways you can help your pup have positive vet experiences.