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Could Your Dog Be Anxious? Here's How To Tell

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Published
01/05/2026

As a dog owner, you want to know if your pet is anxious, but how can you tell? Recognising the early signs of anxiety can be a good way to ensure that your dog has a healthy and happy life in the future. If you catch it when they're young, then it's easier to deal with. But what are the signs that your dog is anxious, and what can you do about them? 

 

Signs in their body language

The most obvious sign that a dog is anxious is signs in their body language. Dogs behave in a specific way when they feel scared and this shows in how they carry themselves. For example, you might see excessive panting when they're not hot or your dogs back legs shaking. You might also see them with a tucked tail and ears back, perhaps cowering. These are classic signs of dogs being scared.

Also, pay close attention to the whites of their eyes. If they have "whale eyes," where their eyes are open more than usual and you can see their whites, then this is another sign that something in the environment is disturbing them. 

 

Signs in their behaviour

You can also see whether dogs are nervous in their behavior. Again, this is quite similar to people and children. For example, dogs who are scared will sometimes hide. You might notice this if a particular visitor comes over or someone new comes to the house. You could also see them pacing restlessly backwards and forwards. Again, this is a way of them trying to discharge nervous energy.

Dogs can also feel anxious while alone, just like people. For example, they might whine or howl. Again, this usually occurs because their owner has left the house and they don't like being by themselves and they feel scared being away from the pack. Many of these noises are used to attract attention so that they can be around others again.

You might also see them engaging in nervous activity like constant chewing of the furniture or scratching doors. They may even soil in the house, even if their house-trained, which is another sign that they are anxious. 

 

What to do if you see these signs?

Many of the above symptoms can be helped by going to the vet, as they can rule out any underlying medical issues. Then you can look for triggers. Dogs will often react to things that humans would find normal, like loud noises outside or being in a new environment. If you think that these are the problems, then check to see if symptoms go away when you eliminate them. 

You could also do things like provide them with extra comfort, for example by making sure they have a routine or getting more exercise. Giving them chew toys can also help by reducing anxiety or giving them something to play with. If that doesn't work, sometimes professional training can be useful. Trainers will often give dogs calming aids and special instructions to help them deal with the realities of life. 

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