Have you noticed your dog behaving unusually? There’s a good chance it could be dog anxiety. A recent study of 13,715 dogs, conducted by the University of Helsinki, found that over 70% exhibited ‘anxiety-like behaviours’ – which shows just how common it is.

Just like us, many dogs will experience stress and anxiety in their lifetime. However, knowing how to spot the signs of anxiety and potential triggers can help to keep your dog feeling calm and relaxed.

So what are the common signs to look out for and what can you do to help? Our resident Veterinary Nurse, Louise Manotam and Head Behaviourist, Winkie Spiers, explain…

What is dog anxiety and what triggers it?

Some of the most obvious triggers for dog anxiety include being separated from their owner, going to the vet, being in a crowded or noisy environment and even boredom. However, there are several more nuanced triggers that are important to consider. For instance, is your dog getting enough food? Are they over-stimulated? Are they frustrated? Perhaps they are responding negatively to particular training techniques or equipment.

Every dog is different. Something that may be a trigger for another dog may not affect your pup at all; you know them better than anyone. Taking time to understand your dog’s behaviour and what ‘normal’ looks like for them is hugely important. It’s also vital that you’re in tune with your dog’s individual needs for each stage of life and ensure they’re being met.

Focusing too much time and attention on trick training, for example, and not enough on their basic daily needs can contribute to feelings of anxiety. Encouraging natural behaviours such as licking, chewing, sniffing and roaming and simply allowing them to be a dog can have a profound effect on minimising their stress levels.

Crucially, anxious behaviour can sometimes point to an underlying issue such as illness or injury. Be sure to pay extra attention to this and consult with your vet as soon as possible to rule out anything more serious.

What are the signs of stress and anxiety in dogs?

There are a variety of different behaviours that may suggest that your dog is feeling anxious or stressed – some are subtle, others more obvious.

Of the most subtle signs to look out for, dissociative behaviour such as excessive lip-licking, leaning away, panting, pacing and pushing their ears back are most common. Other avoidance, appeasement and repulsion type behaviours such as tucking their tail under their body, exposing their teeth, repetitive yawning, and cowering may also indicate that your pup is feeling a little anxious.

If your dog is feeling extremely stressed, they may exhibit a combination of the following behaviours: tension in their body, staring with wide eyes, tail pointing upwards, growling or snarling, raised legs, tail tucked underneath them, crouching, rolling onto their side. If they are directing this behaviour at you, this is your sign to move away from your dog and give them space to settle – otherwise, remove them from the situation immediately.

Aside from visual cues in their body language, you may also notice patterns in their day to day behaviour. Restlessness, trouble sleeping, appearing despondent or unresponsive when you speak to them, grooming themselves more than usual and destructive behaviour are all key signs that your dog may be suffering from anxiety.

WagWorks’ Head Behaviourist, Winkie Spiers, explains:

Every dog is different so it’s important to build a unique approach for each. If you’re concerned your dog is suffering from anxiety, seek advice from a professional. WagWorks members can also access help and support from our Head Behaviourist, Winkie Spiers.