How to Spot Signs of Anxiety in Dogs

Just as humans sometimes feel stressed or anxious, their four-legged friends often experience similar feelings. Those feelings may be triggered when you leave them alone in the house for a long time, when you enclose them in a cage, when you put them next to a particular toy or by any number of other unique situations.

While some signs of anxiety in dogs are easy to spot, others are less obvious, making it harder to know how to proceed with proper care. Here is a look at some cues and tell-tale signs of dog anxiety so you can get a better idea of when additional attention or treatment may be necessary.

Anxiety in Dogs

Displacement behaviors can be tough to spot, because they are generally normal actions for a dog, but are done out of context. For example, say a young child charges your dog in hopes of giving them a hug. Your dog may desire to bite the child, but instead bites himself. Commonly seen displacement behaviors include:

• Scratching without reason.
• Shaking like a wet dog when perfectly dry.
• Sudden smelling of a particular item or the ground.
• Yawning without being tired.

If you are noticing one or more of the above signs, you likely have an anxious dog. Seek additional advice from your vet about specific treatment methods.

Displaying Avoidance Behaviors

Often more noticeable than displacement behaviors, avoidance behaviors occur when your dog wants out of a particular spot or circumstance. Avoidance behaviors manifest in a number of different ways. You may notice:

• Unprovoked barking.
• Tilting or moving of the head.
• Cowering behind the owner or an object.
• Noticeable retreating.
• Submissiveness.

Some characteristics of avoidance behaviors, like submissiveness, are not in and of themselves evidence of an anxious dog. However, when combined with one or more of the other signs, your odds are increased.

While a stressed-out pet can be painful for the both of you, there is good news. There are numerous resources available that will help pinpoint and then minimize the source of anxiety, so the best thing you can do for your pet is be patient, caring and understanding throughout the treatment process.