08/06/2026
Canine Anxiety
Let's talk about anxiety in dogs. Anxiety can vary from subtle behavior changes like excessive panting, cowering, ears flat against the head - to all-out destruction of furniture, digging holes, yelping and barking continuously, or hiding away and refusing to come out of the hiding place, often trembling, and urinating inappropriately. If your dog shows any of these signs then keep reading.
The cause of anxious behaviour is the brain's response to a stimulus. This can be noise (like thunderstorms, fireworks, construction/renovations, lawnmowers) or the owner arriving or leaving home, social causes such as a new baby/visitor/pet in the household, medical conditions, or even boredom.
The part of the brain that regulates anxiety is called the limbic system. The part of the brain that regulates logical behaviour is called the cortical system. The anxious behaviour occurs when the limbic system is in overdrive and the cortical system is not functioning well enough to allow the dog to apply coping behaviours that would otherwise calm the dog down.
There are many ways of helping your dog cope with overwhelming anxious behaviour. A combination of changing the way you approach your dog, formal training, and medication to help the cortical part of the brain function optimally is the best approach.
What you can do at home: reward acceptable, calm behaviour - this can be with toys, treats, positive words and praise, or even a drive in the car. Ignore unacceptable behaviour and do not reprimand or punish the dog if they do not behave, as the dog will still receive attention. You will be surprised at how well this simple approach works.
Arrive at and leave your home calmly and quietly. Dogs respond to calm, quiet authority.
Remain calm and controlled when your dog panics and do not mirror the anxious behaviour.
Ensure that your dog receives the appropriate mental and physical stimulation and environmental enrichment for its breed and age.
This is too often neglected because "there is a big yard". If your dog needs more exercise and stimulation and does not receive it, then this will result in destructive behaviour - even if your yard is as big as a rugby field.
Calming collars: there are collars available that have calming pheromones in them and last for a month once placed on the dog. These are the same pheromones that the mother gives to the nursing pups and are an effective way to provide a continuous calming effect and comfort the dog.
Calming food: some companies have formulated food that contains anti-anxiety ingredients and are really effective for control of long term anxiety.
Over-the-counter supplements: there are tablets, powders and liquids that can help for isolated triggers like storms and fireworks.
Scheduled medication: several treatments are available for short term and long term treatment of anxiety. These have made a massive difference in the lives of many dogs who would have otherwise suffered with severe anxiety.
There is no miracle cure for anxiety in dogs. It takes a combination of the different factors that I have mentioned to provide relief and this will depend on each dog and owner. Feel free to book an appointment to discuss your dog's behaviour and how we can help.
