Maybe you’ve noticed a recent change in your pup’s behavior, or perhaps you always knew your special guy was shyer than most? Either way, the good news about anxiety in dogs is that there’s a whole bunch of solutions for owners to try out.

How do I know if my dog is anxious, and why?

Anxiety or nervousness among dogs is not uncommon and usually falls into one of two categories: behavioral anxiety and situational nervousness. Behavioral issues are phobias or neurotic tendencies that can transfer into more general behaviors—a classic example being separation anxiety. Situational problems are more isolated, and can be highly individual to your dog’s personality.

In other words, if your dog is a homebody with a favorite spot on the couch, and you move house or throw away the sofa, you can expect a degree of situational nervousness. There’s many reasons why your dog may feel anxious – if over time, however, that nervousness becomes the norm, your dog might be suffering from a more general form of anxiety.

Classic signs of nervousness include

  • Tail tucking
  • Eye averting
  • Whimpering
  • Fidgeting
  • Licking
  • Chewing, breaking, tearing (generally being a worse boy than usual!)

While symptoms of anxiety might involve…

  • Regular peeing or pooping accidents
  • Significant avoidance of humans and other dogs
  • Trembling (without any clear cause)
  • Continual pacing
  • Hiding, or trying to escape

(For a full list of dog anxiety treatments, read our article on what you can give a dog for anxiety.)

Whether it’s isolated or a regular occurrence, dog anxiety and nervousness can absolutely be combatted at home and isn’t usually something to be too concerned about.

That said, if you do feel like your dog’s anxiety is getting out of control, it can be worth looking into professional support or seeking the help of a vet—and consider asking them about CBD oil for anxious dogs.

Study after study on why dogs make you happy has proven the calming and anxiety-reducing effect that dogs have on us, so let’s help these nervous guys relax too!

Let’s start with some general advice on calming your canine friend.

These tips can work in a variety of situations, whether your dog is having an off day, or if nervousness is more of a regular issue.

Walks

Anxiety is often related to excess energy, so giving your dog some extra chances to burn a few calories can really help. Taking a ball along with you on a walk is also a great chance for some extra bonding and one-on-one time, which your dog will highly value.

While it’s true that recommending extra walks to boost your dog’s mood might sound like an obvious tip, the idea here is to experiment with different schedules, location, and amount of exercise your dog receives.

ThunderShirt

When your dog is nervous, they look to you for support, often in the form of physical contact. This is why picking up and cuddling puppies can be one of the most effective ways to reward them (and you!) for a job well done.

A ThunderShirt or other branded shirt—or simply a heavy blanket—can mimic this kind of calming touch, providing a constant reassuring weight in times of need. This product works in the same way as swaddling a new baby, offering immediate relaxation and comfort. This can be a good option for dogs who don’t enjoy travelling, as it’s easy to take the blanket along with you in the car.

Crate training

Crate training does a little bit of everything—providing your dog with a close contact, a routine, and a safe space of their own. Having a crate can make it easier to forge positive associations between anxiety triggers and calming measures or rewards. If you need help, dog trainers are experts at forming these kinds of links.

Routine

This tip works both ways. A steady routine can help a nervous dog get into a more comfortable groove—gaining confidence by knowing what to expect at certain times of the day.

But it’s also important to make sure you’re staying mindful as an owner of the household routines going on around your pet. When activities happen frequently, it’s easy to become habituated and stop noticing potential indicators, which might help reduce your dog’s anxiety.

For example, is your dog particularly nervous on certain days of the week? If so, it might be that those days contain a particular activity—garbage collection, delivery, visitors, and so on. Knowing your buddy’s triggers is key.

CBD

A great alternative to pharmaceutical medication, CBD is becoming a fast-established treatment for nervous pups. All dog-approved strains contain little to zero THC, so even if they might want to, no dog will get high from consuming these products. Check out the best CBD supplements and treatments for dogs here.

Next, let’s go through some specific advice for those times when even the hardiest pooch can suffer from anxiety.

Loud noise anxiety

How to calm an anxious dog during fireworks or a storm is one of the most common questions dog owners have, and an annual concern each Independence Day, Canada Day, Memorial Day Weekend or Fireworks Night. Here, the Kennel Club recommends some extensive preparation such as practicing with loud noises in the run-up and making sure everybody’s been walked and fed well in advance.

Separation anxiety

How to calm an anxious dog at night / when you leave. Distractions can really help with this one. Create a routine around leaving and returning, whether that’s a walk, a new toy, or just some quality time. This will help your dog learn to expect rewards for good behavior. Crate training might help with this one, and adding a piece of your clothing into the crate can offer a sense security for an anxious pup.

Social anxiety

How to calm an anxious dog around other dogs, pets, or children is all about gradual habituation, slowly introducing your dog to new experiences in a controlled way. The pace of that process is going to depend a lot on the specifics of the situation—if your dog grew up without close social contact, they might well need a very slow and steady approach.

If things get too much for your pooch, isolating them in a calm, quiet spot is a good reset. However, be careful with this method if your dog also suffers any kind of separation anxiety

Whatever method you use to help your dog reduce their anxiety, the key is to watch closely, observing them for possible triggers, and noticing micro improvements. Remember, your dog is also taking cues from how you act around him or her, so stay calm, and positive, and praising—Who’s a good boy?!