Helping Dogs Feel Safer: Understanding Fear And Anxiety In Everyday Situations

Many dogs experience moments of fear or anxiety, whether it’s during a thunderstorm, a visit from a stranger, or an unexpected encounter with another dog. While these reactions are normal, they can sometimes signal a need for closer attention.

Understanding what those behaviors look like — and how to respond — can help owners better support their pets and prevent anxiety from becoming more severe over time, according to Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a professor of behavior at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

Recognizing The Signs And Triggers

One of the most important things owners can do is recognize when something is different.

“The most common sign is a change in behavior,” Beaver said. “It could be freezing, seeking attention from the owner, shaking, trembling, or whining — simple signs, but they are changes from normal.”

Because these behaviors can be subtle, they are often overlooked. Even if owners notice these small changes, they may assume the behavior is insignificant, especially if it only happens occasionally.

At the same time, many everyday situations can trigger fear or anxiety in dogs. Thunderstorms are one of the most common concerns, particularly in regions where storms are frequent, but unfamiliar people, unfamiliar dogs, and new objects or situations can also create stress.

“Everyone thinks their dog should be fine with strangers, but that’s not always the case,” Beaver said. “If a dog is leaning back or avoiding interaction, that’s a sign they’re not comfortable.”

Recognizing both the signs and the situations that cause them can help owners better understand what their dog is experiencing.

How To Respond And When To Seek Help

When dogs show signs of anxiety, it can be tempting to comfort them immediately, but Beaver recommends a more neutral approach.

“Do not reward the dog for showing anxiety,” she said. “Be neutral. Don’t discourage it, don’t punish it, but don’t encourage it either.”

Over time, reinforcing anxious behaviors — even unintentionally — can make those responses more likely to occur in the future. Instead, owners should focus on observing patterns, including how often the behavior occurs and whether it is becoming more intense.

“If the anxiety becomes longer in duration or more severe in its expression, then it’s appropriate to ask for help,” Beaver said. “You can always ask, even if it’s very mild. It might get worse, or it might not, but it’s something you can follow over time.”

Paying attention to these changes allows owners to step in early, before the behavior has a chance to escalate.

Starting Early And Supporting Long-Term Well-Being

One of the most effective ways to reduce the likelihood of anxiety begins early in a dog’s life. Proper socialization before 12 weeks of age helps dogs become more comfortable with a variety of people, animals, and environments.

“They should be exposed to a wide range of people — different sizes, appearances, and backgrounds — and around other dogs,” Beaver said. “That’s when they learn what the world is about.”

While fear and anxiety cannot always be prevented, early experiences and consistent responses can shape how dogs handle stressful situations over time.

“Dogs, like people, become anxious in certain situations,” Beaver said. “The concern is when that anxiety becomes more consistent or continues to increase over time.”

In some cases, fear can escalate to the point that a dog panics and injures itself in the process, such as attempting to jump through a window during a thunderstorm. Long-term stress and repeated anxiety can also negatively affect a dog’s immune system and overall quality of life.

Beaver said owners should never hesitate to discuss behavioral concerns with their veterinarian. Depending on the severity of the anxiety, treatment options may include environmental changes, training techniques, behavior modification, or medication to help dogs feel more comfortable and secure.

By recognizing changes in behavior and responding appropriately, owners can help their dogs feel more secure and better equipped to navigate the situations that cause them stress.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to vmbs-editor@tamu.edu.