What are signs of anxiety in dogs?
Brianne Aufderhar
2025-08-18 00:16:57
Count answers
: 15
Pacing or shaking. You have seen your dog shake after a bath or a roll in the grass. That whole-body shake can be amusing and is quite normal — unless it occurs as the result of a stressful situation. Whining or barking. Vocalization is normal self-expression in dogs but may be intensified when they are under stress. Yawning, drooling, and licking. Dogs yawn when they are tired or bored, and they also yawn when stressed. Changes in eyes and ears. Stressed dogs, like stressed people, may have dilated pupils and blink rapidly. Changes in body posture. Dogs normally bear weight evenly on all four legs. If a healthy dog with no orthopedic problems shifts their weight to the rear legs or cowers, they may be exhibiting stress. Shedding. Show dogs that become nervous in the show ring often “blow their coat”. Panting. Dogs pant when hot, excited, or stressed. Changes in bodily functions. Like people, nervous dogs may experience an increased urgency to urinate or defecate. Avoidance or displacement behavior. When faced with an unwelcome situation, dogs may “escape” by focusing on something else. Hiding or escape behavior. An extension of avoidance, some tense dogs move behind a trusted person or behind a nearby object.
Maurice Bergstrom
2025-08-06 15:17:55
Count answers
: 13
Anxiety can even happen to therapy dogs on facility visits so it’s important to monitor your dog’s body language for signs of anxiety. Perhaps one of the most well-known dog anxiety symptoms is potty accidents. When dogs are feeling fearful they can sometimes urinate indoors. Pacing Similar to humans, dogs can pace when they feel anxious. Panting is another popular dog anxiety symptom. Most dogs pant when they are feeling hot but they can also pant when they feel anxious or hurt. Anxious dogs can become more vocal. If your canine shakes like they are wet, it could mean they are trying to shake off stress. A dog’s tail can be an indicator of how they are feeling. If their tail is lowered and tense, it could be a sign that they are stressed or fearful. If your dog seems to be licking themselves more than usual or gnawing at their paw, it could be a sign of anxiousness. If your dog yawns, yes, that may mean they are tired or bored but they could also be feeling anxious. Some dog breeds are known to drool more than others but if your pup is slobbering more than usual, particularly in a new place or around new people, it could mean they are anxious. Body language is one of the many tells of anxiety in dogs.
Logan Gulgowski
2025-07-30 04:52:03
Count answers
: 21
Anxious dog may pant, pace, tremble, drool, withdraw from its owner, or hide. Alternatively, they may appear irritable or aggressive, bark or growl at someone. The dog’s tail may be low or tucked, ears back, eyes dilated or showing lots of white around them. Their body carriage may be low and their manner hesitant or avoidant. Anxious dogs may also appear extra friendly and continually approach, jump on someone, and lick their face, or just be needier with the owner. They may demonstrate displacement behaviors, which are normal behaviors that occur out of context when a dog is stressed. Common displacement behaviors are yawning when not tired, stretching when not stiff, rapid blinking when nothing is in the eye, sneezing when there is nothing bothering the nose, and sniffing the ground or scanning the environment when there is nothing of interest or when nothing has happened. Dogs that are anxious may also urinate inside. Dogs that are anxious all the time may become depressed or irritable, sleep more, and may lose interest in food, training, play, and social interaction.
Read also
- How do I settle my dog's anxiety?
- Why do I have so much anxiety leaving my dog?
- What do vets recommend for anxious dogs?
- How do I stop worrying about my pet?
- Can you train anxiety out of a dog?
- What not to do with dog separation anxiety?
- How to stop being afraid of your dog?
- Will my dog eventually stop crying when I leave?