It's Dog Anxiety Awareness Week

The first full week of May is dedicated to Dog Anxiety Awareness Week, and this year, it falls between May 5th and 11th. It's a really important topic, so the Woof Frills team wanted to take this opportunity to explore anxiety in dogs. We'll cover what it looks like, some common causes, tips for helping prevent it, and what support is available for dogs already feeling anxious.

What is Anxiety in Dogs?

Anxiety is when a dog feels worried or fearful about potential danger, even if there isn't an obvious or real threat present at that moment. It’s like they're anticipating something bad might happen.

This anxiety can show up in specific situations. A common example is separation anxiety, where a dog gets very stressed when left alone or separated from their owner. Alternatively, some dogs experience more generalised anxiety, meaning they seem worried or on edge much of the time, no matter what’s going on around them.

What Does Dog Anxiety Look Like?

Dogs can't tell us they're worried in words, but they often show it through their body language and behaviour. If you know what to look for, you can often tell when your dog is feeling anxious.

Some common signs include:

• Physical Actions: Panting even when not hot or tired, pacing back and forth, trembling or shaking, drooling more than usual, trying to hide, or seeming withdrawn and wanting to be left alone.
• Behaviour Changes: They might suddenly become irritable, perhaps barking or growling without a clear reason. Or, surprisingly, they might seem extra friendly and needy, constantly seeking attention, jumping up, licking faces, or being generally clingier than usual.
• Displacement Behaviours: Sometimes, stressed dogs do perfectly normal things, but at strange times. This might include yawning when they aren't tired, having a big stretch when they haven't just woken up, blinking rapidly, sneezing without any irritation, or suddenly becoming very interested in sniffing the ground intensely when nothing is there. These are ways they try to cope with feeling uneasy.
• Toileting Inside: An anxious dog, particularly one suffering from separation anxiety, might wee or poo indoors. It’s important to understand this isn't them being naughty or angry – it’s a physical reaction to the stress they're feeling.
• Body Language Clues: Look for a tail held low or tucked right under, ears flattened back against their head, and wide eyes where you can see a lot of the white (often called 'whale eye'). Their whole body might seem lower to the ground, and they might move hesitantly or try to avoid things.
• Long-Term Effects: If a dog feels anxious constantly (chronic anxiety), it can take a toll. They might seem down or depressed, sleep a lot more, lose interest in their food, playing, training, or interacting with people and other dogs. Ongoing anxiety can even make them more prone to physical health issues, like allergies or tummy problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Helping Your Anxious Dog Feel Calmer

How you help a worried dog really depends on what's making them anxious in the first place.

Take separation anxiety, for instance. Helping a dog who gets distressed when left alone usually involves a plan to gradually change their behaviour, and sometimes, anti-anxiety medicine prescribed by a vet might be needed too.

Or perhaps your dog is terrified of thunderstorms? In this case, creating a special “safe den” for them can make a big difference. This could be a quiet spot, maybe in a basement or an internal room, perhaps with some background white noise or calming music playing. It's also worth contacting your vet about whether temporary medicine could help during storms. Practising relaxation exercises with your dog at other times can also be beneficial.

No matter the specific cause, most anxious dogs respond well to a few key things: using positive, reward-based training methods, having a predictable daily routine, and consistent, calm interactions with their owners. Knowing what to expect can be very reassuring for them.

And if your dog often seems anxious…

It's very important to get them checked by your vet as soon as you can. Sometimes, underlying pain, itchy skin, or other illnesses can make dogs feel more anxious or lower their ability to cope. Your vet can rule out any physical problems. If no medical issue is found, the vet might suggest anti-anxiety medicines or perhaps recommend seeing a specialist veterinary behaviourist for more in-depth help.

Finally, a quick word on comforting your dog when they're scared, please do! There's a common myth that comforting a fearful dog makes them more fearful, but that's not how it works. Fear is a feeling, not a deliberate behaviour, so you can't 'reward' it into happening more often by being kind. Offering comfort helps your dog feel safer and strengthens your bond. 

However, comfort alone might not be enough, especially if you're not always there. That's why strategies like creating a safe space are also important, giving your dog another way to cope. But comforting them absolutely helps them learn that turning to you is a good way to manage their fear.

Final Thoughts

Understanding dog anxiety is incredibly important, and that's why awareness weeks like this are so valuable. It's easy to underestimate, but anxiety in dogs can become quite serious if it's not addressed. It goes beyond just brief moments of worry, often resulting in major changes in how they act, perhaps becoming destructive at home or even showing signs of aggression.

Over time, constant stress can also take a physical toll, sometimes causing dogs to lose interest in food, become less active, and even develop other health problems. Recognising anxiety as a genuine issue affecting a dog's overall wellbeing is the crucial first step.

The good news is that owners play an essential role in helping their pets. Dogs can't simply “snap out of” anxiety on their own, they need our patience, understanding, and support to navigate their fears. Initiatives like Dog Anxiety Awareness Week are key because they provide owners with reliable information and practical advice on how best to help their pets on the road to feeling better.

Not to mention, it's really encouraging to know that dog anxiety can be managed effectively. Great progress has been made in understanding and treating it, with options ranging from specific training techniques and behaviour therapy to supportive medications or even natural treatments, always guided by veterinary advice. 

Awareness weeks serve as an important platform to share knowledge about these developments, ensuring more owners know that help is available so their anxious dogs can enjoy life more and feel much calmer.