Managing Anxiety In Dogs: Your Ultimate Guide

Your buddy depends on your for their well-being – which can be even more of a challenge if they’re anxiety-prone. Just like us humans, anxiety in dogs can turn up in some distressing ways – not just for them, but for you too.

But on the bright side, with a little knowledge and some practical steps, you can help reduce your dog’s anxiety, learn what triggers it in the first place, spot the signs, and improve their quality of life. (Plus, figure out the number one emergency measure to take if your dog is prone to bolting due to anxiety or fear.) Let’s get started.

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Where your dog’s anxiety might all begin

Just like with us, dogs can have a whole range of personalities – meaning, they can also be anxiety-prone for a whole bunch of reasons. More often than not, it could be your buddy’s experiences in early life that can set the stage for them developing anxiety around specific triggers.

Which could include:

• Neglect
  Whether from Mama dog or other humans who should’ve cared better for them
• Trauma or violence
  Likely from former owners (or even in the case of some working dogs that might’ve worked in police or K-9 units)
• Other learned behaviors
  Like when puppies learn to bark, hide, or cower at the sound of thunder or when their caregiver leaves – because they’ve seen other dogs or puppies around them do just that.
• A lack of socialization
  Where your little buddy might not have been introduced to new environments, people, or other animals. This can make your dog stressed out and overwhelmed at such experiences – and this anxiety can carry on into adulthood.
• Or some combination thereof

Now you might think it’s easier to help puppies adjust to “new” experiences – especially if you’ve just adopted them and are introducing them to a safe, loving new home. But adult dogs can adapt equally well and learn to overcome their fears with time and patience.

What are some signs of anxiety in dogs?

Dog anxiety can turn up in a bunch of ways, since it can vary depending on what’s triggering it. But knowing what to look for can help you address what’s bothering your buddy – and take action right away.

So keep an eye out for:

What can trigger anxiety in dogs?

• A big change in routine
  Like if you’ve shifted apartments, just adopted them, brought home a new pet or baby, or even switched up your own routine. Give your dog some time to adjust and don’t skip out on any quality time together.
• Separation anxiety
  If your dog becomes a nervous wreck when you leave for work or even “disappear” into the bathroom, it could be due to separation anxiety. Practising gradual departures can help your dog slowly learn that you “disappearing” = “no big deal”– because you will eventually return.
• Noise anxiety
  From fireworks, thunderstorms, or even construction or passing cars outdoors. Mask the loud sounds with white noise or calming music, or consider counter-conditioning your dog’s “scared” response to the loud noise instead.
• Growing older
  Senior dogs might experience a loss of mobility or senses, including cognitive decline. All of which can trigger anxious barking or vocalizing at night, since they might feel confused or disoriented.

If your dog’s anxiety persists even after you take action – get in touch with your vet. They can best advise you what other steps to take and if your dog might benefit from anti-anxiety medication or even help from a professional dog behaviorist.

More tips on how to calm an anxious dog

Depending on what tends to trigger your dog’s anxiety, you’ve got a couple of options if you’re wondering how to calm an anxious dog. For example, you could try:

Calming tools

Including:

• Thundershirts, weighted blankets, or snug-fitting anxiety wraps that provide gentle pressure – kind of like swaddling a baby. (Though do make sure to get the green light from your vet first.)
• Spritz a blanket or sweater with some lavender or chamomile and leave it behind for your dog if you have to head out for work. These scents can be calming and help reduce their stress.
• Some chews or supplements can contain ingredients like chamomile, which can also help your dog feel calmer.
• A pheromone diffuser can mimic the natural pheromones released by mother dogs. Consider installing one indoors when you’re not around and have to leave your dog at home alone.

Regular training

Regular basic obedience training can actually help an anxious dog feel more grounded and secure. Especially since it also means time they spend with you in a structured environment, establishing boundaries, and helping them learn what’s “good” behavior and what isn’t.

So don’t skip out on basic commands like “Sit,” “Stay,” and “Drop it,” – especially if your buddy tends to chew the nearest object when anxious or paces around endlessly.

In more serious cases, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional dog training school or expert in your locality. This is another opportunity for your buddy to socialize, learn some commands from the pros, and for you to pick up some training tips and experience all in one.

Supervised outdoor time

Confining a nervous dog indoors isn’t always ideal. (Especially when the weather’s nice enough to head out for a walk or to the park!) Rather, you’re better off ensuring you’re present any time you and your buddy venture outdoors. Staying close to your buddy means you can intervene at a moment’s notice if you notice them showing any signs of anxiety – and help them slowly learn that it isn’t so scary outdoors, after all.

So make sure you:

• Keep your buddy leashed while out on walks together. Be firm but kind with fellow dog parents, especially if your dog doesn’t like being approached by others.
• Stick around if you’re playing together in the backyard. A lone dog in a backyard could be a prime target for dog thieves!
• While you don’t need to hover over your dog at a dog park, make sure you’re close enough that they can retreat back to you as a “safe place” when they need.

Exercise

Daily walks and playtime help you two spend some quality time together, stay healthy, and also help your dog release any pent-up energy or anxiety.

💡Plus, if you want to stay motivated, why not:

• Set your buddy some activity goals,
• Or check how active they are compared to other, similar dogs around the world?

Your trusty Tractive GPS doubles as an Activity Tracker for dogs. With its built-in motion detector, it logs in your dog’s movements throughout the day as active minutes.

Which, over time, can help you figure out:

• How active your dog is on the regular
• Whether your dog’s hit their activity goals for the day – or if they could go for one last game of fetch
• And where your dog ranks on your community leaderboard – i.e., compared to other, similar dogs around the world

😉 Because what’s better than a little healthy competition to keep you motivated, right?

Discover Activity Tracking

Got a dog that’s a bit on the…well, more stoic side? It can be difficult picking up on their signs of stress or anxiety. Here’s a short video that could help:

And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.

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Your furry friend’s health and wellbeing means as much as to us as it does to you. So we’ve made it a priority to only share medically-relevant content on our blog.

This post was checked, double-checked, and medically verified by Georgia-based vet, Dr. Dwight Alleyne.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Dr. Alleyne began his career at a no-kill animal shelter before becoming a licensed veterinary technician. He graduated from Cornell University Veterinary College in 2006 and completed an internship at Purdue University.

Now practicing in Georgia, Dr. Alleyne specializes in soft tissue surgery and ultrasounds. He also writes pet health articles on his website, “The Animal Doctor Blog” (www.anmldrblog.com).