Anxious Dog – What Should You Do? 3 Tips 

Any dog can find itself in a situation where its usual confidence suddenly vanishes and signs of insecurity emerge—this is completely normal. However, if such situations occur regularly and make everyday life a source of constant stress for both the dog and its owner, even to the point of significantly impairing their quality of life, then the issue can become a major problem.

Find out here how to recognize fear in dogs, where it comes from, and what you can do to help your fearful dog!

How can you tell if a dog is afraid? Body language and behavior

Every dog reacts differently when frightened. Some develop digestive problems, drool excessively, and lose their appetite. Others start to tremble, pant heavily, and bark wildly.

There are several signs that may indicate your dog is anxious. To correctly interpret anxiety and distinguish these signs from other causes, it’s always important to observe closely and also consider the situation in which your dog is displaying these signs. 

Typical physical signs of an anxious dog may include, for example

• Hunched posture
• A worried look
• tucked tail
• Dilated pupils
• Trembling
• Panting

There are also typical behaviors that many dogs exhibit when they are afraid or stressed, often referred to as the“4 F’s”:

• Flight – Moving away to create distance from the source of fear
• Fight – Direct confrontation involving flattened ears, growling, and/or baring teeth
• Freeze – Complete Stiffening
• Fiddle – Calming signals such as yawning and licking, or silly play to distract 

Anxious Dog – What Are the Causes?

When a dog is anxious, its body releases increased levels of adrenaline or cortisol, both of which are stress hormones. There are many reasons why dogs become anxious. Genetic predisposition, negative experiences, and mistakes in training all play a major role. Chronic anxiety—that is, dogs that are constantly fearful—is often caused by a lack of socialization as a puppy or by past trauma.

Typical situations in which dogs react with fear:

• Unfamiliar surroundings, people, or animals—for example, on vacation or during a walk 
• Loud noises—such as during thunderstorms or on New Year’s Eve
• other triggers – e.g., visits to the vet, car rides  

How can I help my anxious dog? 3 tips

Depending on what is causing your dog's anxiety, there are different approaches you can take to help your dog in a targeted way. 

Tip #1 for anxious dogs: Stay calm

In any case, however, the following applies: Be there for your anxious dog and stay calm yourself. Of course, that’s easier said than done—especially when the situation is very stressful for you as well. Still, try to remember that your dog looks to you for guidance and that your mood will rub off on him. Speak to him gently without coddling him. Under no circumstances should you scold, punish, or ignore your dog.

Tip #2 for anxious dogs: Targeted training

The most important thing for anxious dogs, however, is targeted training. Exactly what that entails depends on what is causing your dog’s anxiety and how it manifests itself.

If unfamiliar situations cause your dog anxiety, you should use this as a starting point and practice these situations. For example, if your dog is afraid of umbrellas, you can gradually get him used to the object in a safe environment and help him overcome his fear through exposure. Open the umbrella slowly, over and over again, and reward your dog when he stays calm. Treats are a great way to create a positive association.

However, there are also deeper-rooted triggers that aren’t so easy to address. If you feel like you’re not making progress on your own or are overwhelmed by the problem, you should consult an expert. There are many dog trainers who specialize in working with fearful dogs. They understand your daily challenges and can provide you with personalized tips for your training.  

Tip #3 for anxious dogs: Use medication or the power of nature 

There are also medications available to calm and relax anxious dogs. Your veterinarian can advise you on this.

However, exercise should always come first. After all, medication only treats the symptoms, not the root cause of the problem.

If you’d rather not turn to medication right away, you can also rely on the power of nature. CBD, for example, can be used as a supportive measure. As a naturally occurring neurotransmitter, it can help balance out imbalances caused by mental stress and naturally calm your dog’s nervous system. This promotes a stable sense of security and well-being and can also help make your training more effective. CBD treats also have the nice side effect of tasting great and creating a positive association during training.