Beginner Guide

Start Here: Understanding Dog Anxiety

A gentle introduction to recognising anxiety in dogs and taking the first steps towards helping them feel calmer.

Reading time: 8 minutes

What Does Anxiety Look Like?

Anxiety in dogs can manifest in many ways, and what looks like "naughtiness" is often a dog trying to cope with overwhelming stress. Common signs include:

Physical Signs

Panting when not hot or exercised
Trembling or shaking
Drooling excessively
Dilated pupils
Yawning repeatedly

Behavioural Signs

Pacing or restlessness
Hiding or seeking comfort
Destructive behaviour
Excessive barking or whining
Loss of appetite

Common Triggers

Understanding what triggers your dog's anxiety is the first step in helping them. Common triggers include:

  • Separation: Being left alone or separated from family members
  • Noise: Fireworks, thunder, traffic, building work
  • Social situations: Meeting unfamiliar people or dogs
  • Veterinary visits: The vet clinic, grooming appointments
  • Environmental changes: Moving house, new routines, house guests
  • Past experiences: Trauma or negative associations

The Three-Step Approach

Helping an anxious dog requires patience, consistency, and a structured approach. Follow these three steps:

Step 1: Learn

Build your knowledge about your dog's specific anxiety type

Start by identifying your dog's main anxiety triggers. Take our Anxiety Quiz to get personalised guide recommendations, or browse our topic-specific guides:

Separation AnxietyNoise SensitivitySocial Stress
Take the Anxiety Quiz

Step 2: Plan

Create a consistent routine that reduces stress and builds confidence

Dogs thrive on predictability. Use our Routine Planner to build a daily schedule that includes:

  • Regular exercise tailored to your dog's needs
  • Mental enrichment activities (snuffle mats, puzzle toys, training games)
  • Short training sessions for confidence-building
  • Calm time and rest periods
Create Your Routine

Step 3: Practice & Track

Monitor progress and celebrate small victories

Progress isn't always linear, but tracking helps you identify patterns and improvements over time. Use our Progress Journal to record:

  • Daily calm moments and successes
  • Triggers and how your dog responded
  • What strategies are working
Start Your Journal

What to Avoid

As you help your dog, it's equally important to know what not to do:

  • Never punish anxious behaviour. Your dog isn't being naughty—they're scared.
  • Avoid flooding. Don't force your dog to "face their fears" all at once. This can make anxiety worse.
  • Don't use aversive tools. Shock collars, prong collars, and harsh corrections increase fear and stress.
  • Don't ignore vet advice. Some anxiety may require medication alongside behaviour modification.
  • Don't rush progress. Building confidence takes time. Small steps are better than big setbacks.

When Professional Help Is Needed

While these guides offer solid starting points, some situations require expert support:

  • Severe separation anxiety (self-harm, property damage, extreme distress)
  • Aggression linked to fear
  • Anxiety that's getting worse despite your efforts
  • Multiple anxiety triggers affecting quality of life

Ask your vet for a referral to a certified veterinary behaviourist or accredited clinical animal behaviourist who uses force-free, science-based methods.

Ready to Get Started?

Choose your next step based on where you are in your journey

Take the Anxiety QuizBrowse All GuidesBuild a Routine