How do you calm a fearful dog? Find Out Here

How to Calm an Anxious Dog

If your dog has anxiety, there are different strategies you can use to help him cope. The strategies you use may depend on the type of anxiety your dog has.

Training: Some dogs with anxiety may benefit from training to help build their confidence and develop the skills they need to cope with stressors. Using positive reinforcement, you can train your dog on simple tasks and reliably reward him for a job well done. Then, when he’s in a situation that would normally cause him anxiety, you instead direct him to perform that same task, taking his focus off the anxiety-inducing situation. “Distraction can go a long way to help dogs cope with anxiety,” says Dr. McGowan. “By redirecting your dog’s attention away from the anxiety-inducing situation to something familiar and rewarding, the situation becomes positive and your dog builds confidence for coping with the same situation in the future,” she adds.

Controlled Exposure: Another strategy to combat anxious or fearful responses to stimuli is to slowly expose your dog to various stimuli in a controlled manner. For example, if your dog is afraid of thunder, you could introduce thunder noise in a positive way by playing sounds of thunder at a low volume during positive events, like playtime or mealtime. As he adjusts, you can slowly increase the volume of the sound. This can work for other situations as well. “The key is to keep the whole experience very positive with a lot of rewards and praise and to take baby steps to slowly build up to the exposure,” adds Dr. McGowan.

Supplements or Medication: In some cases, dogs may need some type of supplement or anxiety medication to help them maintain calm behavior. This may be in addition to training. “Supplements or pharmaceutical interventions can help get dogs into the right frame of mind to be receptive to training or behavior modification,” explains Dr. McGowan. Supplements like Calming Care use probiotics to help calm anxious behaviors like excessive vocalization or pacing. It’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian prior to incorporating any new supplements. They may recommend medication if supplements and training do not work for your dog.

There are many forms of anxiety including social (e.g., fear of strangers), non-social (e.g., fear of loud noises), or separation anxiety (e.g., distressed when separated from their social companions). Understanding the type of triggers for your pet’s anxiety is important in deciding what to try to help your dog cope.

If your dog is reactive to strangers, you might try having friends come by with treats in hand to practice with your dog meeting new people. For dogs who are reactive to loud noises, try introducing those noises starting at a low volume during positive experiences like play or mealtime.

Dogs who are nervous at the veterinarian’s office may benefit from visiting the office for a play session. “It is important to identify the unique triggers for your dog and try to create positive experiences around them,” suggests Dr. McGowan.

Separation anxiety is another common stressor for many dogs. “Creating a predictable routine for your dog to understand when to expect you to be gone and when you will come back can go a long way in helping with separation anxiety,” says Dr. McGowan.

“It is important for your dog to learn it is okay to be alone,” she adds. Try creating some artificial separation even when you are home by closing a door or creating a safe space where your dog can be alone for a bit while you are home. “Make sure to provide your dog with something to do in your absence, like treat stuffed toys or puzzles to keep them occupied,” suggests Dr. McGowan.

Anxiety is common in very young and very old pets. “Puppies require ample socialization during critical developmental windows when they are most receptive to learning about their surroundings and learning the skills to cope with stressors,” says Dr. McGowan.

Senior dogs may have declined cognitive function, which can affect their memories, perception and more. “Senior dogs suffering from cognitive decline can start to forget things about their surroundings or family members, and this can lead to anxiety,” she says. Additionally, many older dogs experience some level of vision or hearing loss, which can heighten feelings of anxiety.

Anxious, scared dogs may react differently in different situations and to various stimuli. If you notice any of the following behaviors, it’s a good idea to talk with your vet to find the cause and come up with a plan to help calm your anxious dog:

Fear-based aggression

Accidents in the house

Excessive barking

Pacing or inability to settle

Spontaneous panting

Destructive behaviors in response to being left alone

Eight Tips to Help Fearful Dogs Feel Safe The most important things to know if you have a fearful dog.

Photo: Ramon Espelt Photography / Shutterstock

So, How Can I Help My Fearful Dog?

Part of working with a fearful dog involves accepting that it’s hard to know how far a particular dog can go in overcoming the problem. If a pet parent expects that any dog can become happy-go-lucky, extroverted and confident, they may be disappointed in the future. As Jacobs writes, “Changing our own views, beliefs, and expectations may be the first step the parent of a fearful dog needs to take.” To help a dog overcome fear, it is often most effective to combine several basic strategies.

The first step should be a thorough medical evaluation to determine if health problems are playing a role. Dogs who are in pain may develop fear of anything that exacerbates the pain, such as being touched, being approached by a playful dog, a leash or collar, or a sport class like agility. Older dogs may develop fears and phobias following physical changes, including cognitive deterioration or loss of sight or hearing. A myriad of other physical problems can be in play as well, and any underlying medical issue should be resolved.

Learn how to help your fearful dog with my 5 keys to fixing fear

Six animal behaviorists and I share our pro tips for boosting the confidence of a fearful dog.

For the first month after he was adopted, Sunny spent his time in the corner of one room — where he ate, slept, peed, and generally watched the world go by. Murphy whimpered, barked, and chewed the carpet whenever she was left alone. Tucker growled and lunged at every man he encountered. Maggie was inconsolable during thunderstorms — pacing, whining, circling, jumping in and out of the bathtub…

All of these dogs have one thing in common: their behavior problems are a result of fear. But because fear-based behavior can vary so widely — from cowering under the table when a truck roars by to lunging at and even biting visitors — pet parents don’t always recognize that their dogs exhibiting it are fearful. According to Nicole Wilde, CPDT-KA, canine behavior specialist and author of Help for Your Fearful Dog, “There are lots of fearful dogs, but people call because of the symptoms. They rarely say, ‘I need help because my dog is fearful.’ They call because their dog is barking at visitors or shredding things.”