Signs of Anxiety in Dogs and How to Help

By Dr Duncan Houston

A dog that paces, follows you everywhere or destroys a door when alone may be struggling to feel safe. Other dogs become unusually quiet, so the absence of barking does not necessarily mean they are coping.

The useful question is what happens before the behaviour and how quickly your dog recovers afterwards. That pattern helps distinguish anxiety from excitement, boredom and illness.

Quick Answer

Dog anxiety can cause trembling, panting, hiding, pacing, vocalising and difficulty settling. Reduce exposure to the trigger, offer a safe retreat and arrange a veterinary assessment when distress repeats or affects everyday life. Sudden behavioural changes, especially with pain or physical symptoms, need medical assessment rather than an assumption of anxiety.

Eight signs worth noticing

Panting or shaking when the room is cool and exercise does not explain it.
Chewing, digging or scratching around exits during absences.
Barking, whining or howling linked to a particular situation.
Pacing instead of resting, even after normal needs are met.
Refusing food in situations where your dog would normally eat.
Hiding, avoiding contact or being unable to tolerate separation.
Repetitive licking or chewing that damages the skin.
A lowered body, tucked tail, ears held back or repeated lip licking.

Interpret these together. A single yawn does not diagnose anxiety. Video of an ordinary departure can be more useful than the damage you find hours later.

How serious is the distress?

Pattern	Meaning	Next step
Brief hesitation followed by normal eating and exploration	The challenge may be manageable	Increase distance and allow choice
Repeated hiding, pacing or inability to settle	Welfare is being affected	Book a veterinary and behaviour assessment
Escape injuries, panic or threatening behaviour	Immediate safety problem	Separate safely and seek urgent professional help

What else can look like anxiety?

Pain, itchy skin, digestive disease, breathing problems, declining hearing or vision and cognitive changes can alter behaviour. A senior dog that suddenly paces at night needs a health assessment. Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea should not simply be labelled stress. Your vet will use the history and examination to decide whether further tests are needed.

When is this an emergency?

Seek emergency care for breathing difficulty, collapse, seizures, a swollen painful abdomen, suspected poisoning or injuries from an escape attempt. Keep people away from a panicking dog that may bite; do not corner or physically punish them.

A practical plan to help

Record the trigger, distance, duration and recovery. Include sleep, appetite and any physical signs.
Reduce unavoidable stress. Provide a quiet retreat and keep children and visitors from approaching a hiding dog.
Maintain predictable meals, suitable exercise, sniffing opportunities and undisturbed rest.
Practise with a very mild version of the trigger while your dog can remain comfortable. Pair it with something they enjoy and stop before distress builds.
Arrange veterinary support early for separation distress, noise panic or persistent fear. Medication can support learning and comfort when prescribed alongside a behaviour plan.

MSD's behaviour guidance explains gradual desensitisation and counterconditioning. Flooding a dog with a frightening experience can worsen the problem. Improvement varies; track relaxed behaviour and recovery rather than setting a fixed deadline.

Common mistakes

Punishing damage discovered after an absence.
Forcing greetings or keeping a dog close to a frightening trigger.
Assuming comforting a frightened dog will teach them to feel afraid.
Using supplements or exhausting exercise as a substitute for diagnosis.

Reducing future stress

Introduce new experiences gradually, preserve choice and teach comfortable short absences before expecting long ones. Revisit the plan after a move, illness or major household change. Avoid escalating training when sleep and recovery are poor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anxiety start in an older dog?

Yes, but pain, sensory loss and cognitive changes need consideration, particularly when the change is sudden.

Should I ignore my dog when they are scared?

No. Calm reassurance is reasonable if welcomed. Allow space if contact makes them more uncomfortable.

Does every anxious dog need medication?

No. Some improve with management and training; others need medication to reduce distress enough to learn.

Is a crate always calming?

No. Some dogs panic when confined. Use a retreat your dog already finds safe and discuss confinement distress with your vet.

Anxiety is easier to address when its triggers and medical contributors are understood. Start by making daily life feel safer, then build skills at a pace your dog can manage.

For more practical help understanding your dog's wellbeing, explore ASK A VET™.