Key Points

• Dogs can get anxiety just like people do. 

• Canine anxiety tends to stem from separation, phobias or triggers, associations with past traumas, or changes in routine.  

• A vet visit is the best first step if you notice symptoms of anxiety in your dog—they’ll also be able to offer advice on how to calm your pup at home.

Long before Tatiana Yastremski was a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant, she adopted a very anxious pup named Emmett.  

Emmett was a Bloodhound-Beagle mix who was excessively nervous and couldn’t go on a leashed walk without becoming reactive, says Yastremski, who now works at St. Hubert’s Dog Training and Behavior Center in Madison, New Jersey. 

“When he’d see [other dogs] or even just smell them, his initial whimpering and beying would escalate to lunging, snarling, and barking,” she says. “The best way I can explain what Emmett was experiencing in human terms is that he was having panic attack after panic attack while going on walks. I could have been tossing pieces of filet mignon at him, and he would’ve most likely spit them out.”  

If there’s any species with a happy-go-lucky, optimistic reputation to uphold, it’s canines. In fact, it can often seem like dogs are the ones cheering up their pet parents—lucky us.  

But just like humans, dogs can have anxiety, and it’s sometimes debilitating, as it was in Emmett’s case.

“Many pet parents feel helpless when their dog is suffering emotionally, but the good news is, there is hope,” says Dr. Michael Hyder, medical director at VEG ER for Pets in Palo Alto, California. 

Do dogs experience anxiety like humans?

Everyone gets anxious; it’s a normal response to life events. 

But sometimes anxiety can stop us from living our best lives, and the same is true of our canine besties.  

“Anxiety in dogs is an emotional state of distress or fear in response to a perceived threat or change in [a dog’s] environment, even if that ‘threat’ isn’t dangerous to us,” says Dr. Hyder. “It’s similar to what people experience when they feel nervous, scared, or overwhelmed.”  

As your pup’s favorite person (congrats!), it’s your job to know when they’re not feeling like themselves. 

What are the types of anxiety in dogs?

Unfortunately, there’s no single cause of anxiety in dogs. 

“Dogs experience both acute fear and long-term stress,” Dr. Hyder says. “Like humans, their anxiety can stem from emotional triggers, chemical imbalances in the brain, or difficult past experiences.”

In one study of 13,700 dogs, noise sensitivity was the most common anxiety trigger, present in 32% of the canines, and other research suggests that up to 55% of dogs experience some sort of separation anxiety.  

According to Dr. Hyder, reasons a dog might develop anxiety include: 

• A specific phobia or trigger, like loud noises (thunderstorms or fireworks) 

• Separation from family members (this can be human or animal) 

• A change in routine (like moving to a new home or the addition of a new family member)

• Trauma or neglect (a dog may associate certain situations or stimuli with a previous bad experience) 

• Lack of socialization as a puppy (the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University suggests beginning socialization when they’re 13–14 months old) 

Sometimes, though, the cause will be less specific or targeted.  

“Dogs can also show physical symptoms of generalized anxiety,” Yastremski notes. 

So, just like us, their nerves might act up for seemingly no reason. What’s more, our human stress can even cross over into our dogs’ lives. One study found that the dogs of stressed humans were also more stressed. (It’s another reason to seek out some work-life balance—it’s good for your canine bestie.) 

What are signs of anxiety in dogs?

Whatever the reason for anxiety, there are symptoms you should look out for. 

Some physical signs of anxiety include: 

• Pacing   

• Excessive licking or chewing of paws 

• Digestive upset or loss of appetite 

• Trembling 

• Panting 

• Whimpering   

• Excessive drooling 

• Whining, barking, or howling when alone 

• Inability to relax or sit still   

• Destructive behavior, like chewing or digging 

• Clinginess, or seeking constant reassurance or physical contact  

• Whale eyes (pupils dilated and showing lots of white around them)

“An anxious dog may just ‘seem off,’ tuning out, freezing up, acting clingy, or being hypervigilant,” Dr. Hyder says. 

“I’ve also observed dogs with more intense anxiety to seek comfort from humans in a very frenetic way,” Yastremski says, “by jumping up at them as if they wanted to crawl inside of the human’s skin or even by forming unhealthy bonds with people they barely met, just because that person extended some form of kind gesture that happens to comfort the said dog.”

Another overlooked sign? It’s clinginess, Yastremski says. “Dogs are a social species and that’s why they cohabitate so well with humans,” she explains. “Your dog should enjoy being with you, interacting with you, and like to follow you around the house if they choose to do so. But there needs to be a balance between the dog wanting to spend time with their pet parents while also being able to enjoy some independence.”

How a veterinarian or behaviorist might treat anxiety  

If your dog is showing signs of anxiety, a vet visit should be your first step. You’ll need to confirm that there isn’t something else going on that’s mimicking anxiety. Whimpering, for example, could also signal pain, and pacing and restlessness can be a symptom of canine dementia.   

Your veterinarian might treat your canine kiddo, or they might suggest you work with a certified trainer or behavior consultant. Extreme cases may require a veterinary behaviorist. Every dog is an individual, and no treatment plan is the same.  

A veterinary behaviorist, certified trainer, or behavior consultant will likely create a customized approach that uses behavior modifications. Two of the most common ones are:  

• Desensitization techniques. “Desensitization training is composed of a multitude of small ‘baby steps’ of stimulus exposure with the guidance of an experienced dog trainer or behaviorist,” says Dr. Hyder. 

• Counterconditioning: This turns a negative experience into a positive one by associating something pleasant, like a treat, with the “scary” experience. A professional should help with this—don’t go it alone.    

If your vet determines your dog needs medication, they’ll come up with a specialized treatment plan. According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, the most popular anti-anxiety medications to treat dogs are: 

• Fluoxetine 

• Clomipramine 

• Trazodone 

• Dexmedetomidine 

“Unless you can connect an episode of anxiety to a specific event and you observe relief in symptoms over time, your dog may just be a sensitive and anxious pup that may need assistance from calming supplements or appropriate pharmaceuticals for life,” Yastremski explains.  

Dr. Hyder notes that supplements, such as L-theanine or calming probiotics, are also smart options if your vet approves. 

How to help an anxious dog at home 

After seeing a veterinarian, there are some things you can do to make your dog less anxious at home:   

• Provide a safe space, like a tent bed where they can hide away, or a crate with a blanket over it where they can come and go, says Dr. Hyder.    

• Thundershirts or calming wraps are also comforting. 

• Calming pheromones, like Adaptil diffusers or sprays, may lessen anxiety.  

• Try white noise or soft music during stressful events like thunderstorms, Dr. Hyder suggests. 

• Have a steady routine—and stick to it. Dogs thrive on consistency, and a routine helps them feel safe and know what to expect.  

• Plenty of enrichment around the house, such puzzle toys, can keep your dog focused on a job, reducing stress. 

• Positive reinforcement goes a long way, so when you notice them being calm, it’s a great time for praise or a treat, according to Fear Free Happy Homes.  

• If your dog seeks comfort during an anxiety attack, reassure them. “While some dogs may be comforted by cuddles, others may prefer having their humans speak softly to them,” Yastremski says. 

Anxious dogs may run off as a response to their fears, seeking someplace safe, so it’s important to get them microchipped. However, make sure that you register the microchip. Four out of 10 microchipped pets are “digital strays”, chipped but untraceable, making them impossible to track. Registering is a simple and free way to help bring your pup home if they ever get lost.

What not to do for an anxious dog

Dog anxiety often stems from a reaction to a perceived threat. This means they aren’t misbehaving; they are simply acting out of fear. 

Never use negative reinforcement, says Dr. Hyder, as it’s easy to make a pup’s anxiety even worse. 

“Avoid punishment or yelling,” he notes. “This not only increases fear, but it can also erode trust between you and your dog. Anxiety-driven behaviors are not disobedience; they’re cries for help.”  

How to help dogs with separation anxiety 

Separation anxiety in dogs is its own beast, and depending on the pup, it can be mild to severe.

Extreme reactions may include: 

• Excessive destruction or chewing 

• Peeing or pooping in the house 

• Excessive, long-lasting vocalization  

Many solutions for separation anxiety are similar to curbing other kinds of dog anxiety, but if you work with a trainer or behaviorist, you’ll likely get more in-depth practice to help your dog live more independently and confidently.  

This will likely include altering “cues” your dog might pick up on when you’re about to leave—like the rustling of keys—as well as making gradual departures and returns. The ASPCA suggests that you might pick up your keys and lie them on the table when you’re not leaving the house to show that keys don’t always mean absence. Experts stress, though, that this must be done routinely to have an effect.  

It’s best to practice any behavior modifications with a trainer who can make sure you’re helping the situation, not making it worse. A trainer can also assist with graduated departures and absences, where they’ll guide you through leaving the house for specific periods of time until your dog is comfortable with your absence. 

Be your pup’s security blanket 

Whatever type of anxiety your dog has, step up and let them know you have their back.  

“Be patient, celebrate small wins, and trust that progress is possible, even if it's slow,” Dr. Hyder says. “Building a sense of safety and predictability for your dog can go a long way.” 

While you may not be able to completely cure their dog anxiety, you can manage it. 

“Don’t ignore the symptoms or fail to seek help,” Yastremski says. “Even though as humans we can rationalize our feelings and understand that what we’re feeling is anxiety, we still don’t like the way it feels. Neither do our dogs.”

As for Yastremski’s dog Emmett, who was so anxious he even refused food during his panic attacks, he eventually started on medications prescribed by his veterinarian. 

“Once the medication reached therapeutic levels, Emmett’s anxiety moderated to the point that he was able to accept and retain the training [for his reactivity],” Yastremski says. He turned into a confident, happy pup and lived to the “ripe age of 13.”

FAQs

Can you cure separation anxiety in dogs?

Many pet parents wonder how to cure separation anxiety in dogs, but there’s no simple answer. As with any anxiety, the answer as to whether it’s curable depends, says Dr. Hyder. “Some dogs improve dramatically with the right combination of structure, reassurance, and support,” he says. “Others may live with anxiety long-term but learn how to manage it with consistency, training, and possibly medication.”

How can you help a dog with anxiety?

When it comes to how to help with anxiety in dogs, the first rule is to be patient. Show them care and understanding, and offer praise where appropriate (never use negative reinforcement, as this will do more harm than good). If you haven’t already, see a vet to rule out pain or another cause masquerading as anxiety, and follow a treatment plan from there.

How to prevent anxiety in dogs?

It’s not always possible to prevent anxiety, but if your dog has particular triggers, it’s easier to try to stop it before it starts. For example, some dogs might react to fireworks (in which case you could use calming techniques like pheromones and a Thundershirt before the event). If you have a puppy, socializing them while they’re still young will help reduce their anxiety in new situations. The most basic thing you can do is to love them, be their bestie, and help them feel secure and confident by providing them with a healthy, consistent daily routine.

Can an anxiety attack be an emergency?

Yes, according to Dr. Hyder. A dog may hyperventilate, lose control of their bowels, or try desperately to escape their home. “These situations can lead to physical injury or exhaustion,” he says. “If your dog is having an extreme episode like this, it's appropriate to treat it as a veterinary emergency.”