We rely on our canine companions in times of joy, celebration, sorrow, grief, and fear. While their enthusiastic response to our excitement always assures us, their friendly face licks and snuggly snores comfort us through the hard times. But what about the times our dogs are anxious?
Unexpected noises, perceived threats, separation from you, or other scaries may cause your pup to experience uneasy feelings. In times like these, they need your support to calm their nerves, be it in the form of a change in environment, a nice massage, or a yummy CBD treat.
Read on to learn how to identify nervousness in your dog and what you can do about it.
How Do I Know My Dog Is Nervous?
If your dog has been part of the family for many years, you may have an innate sense of their moods and behaviors. You can likely tell when something is “off” with them or what kind of environments and experiences make them nervous.
But if your dog is a new member of the family, you may not be as familiar with what their behaviors mean and what kind of things make them nervous. If that’s the case, keep your eye out for these apprehension-related behaviors.
- Your dog is growling – This is often a sign that your companion feels uncomfortable or threatened. It’s an important message that you shouldn’t ignore, and you also shouldn’t punish your pup for delivering it. Take note of the growl and what your dog growled at.
- Your dog is whining or barking – Notice the context in which your dog makes these noises. Are they hungry, ready for a walk, or greeting their favorite mail delivery person? Or is something else causing them to whine or bark, like physical discomfort, unexpected noises, or your daily departure?
- Your dog displays “calming signals” – Your pooch may use these signs to communicate unease to you and/or other dogs and to self-soothe when they’re uncomfortable. If you notice your dog yawning intensely and excessively, tucking their tail and ears, showing the whites of their eyes, panting, drooling, or licking their lips, they may be telling you that they’re nervous.
- Your dog freezes or paces – If your pup “shuts down” in response to a stimulus, that’s a sure sign that they’re overwhelmed. You’ll want to remedy the situation as quickly as possible because a “frozen” dog is unpredictable. On the other hand, if your dog begins to pace, it’s likely because they can’t relax due to a stressor.
These common signs of discomfort are often easy to spot. The better you get to know your dog, the easier it can be to tell when they’re feeling worried or nervous, whether they’re displaying these behaviors or something else.
What Causes My Dog’s Frantic Behavior?
A dog’s internal world is as vast and incomprehensible as any human’s—perhaps it’s even more incomprehensible than a human’s since dogs rely on a very different way of sensing the world than humans do. Plus, there’s the whole language barrier thing—although it may be less of a barrier than we once thought.
While we can’t know for sure what’s going on in our pups’ minds, we can keep an eye out for the environments and experiences that stimulate their unusual responses. Watch out for these commonly stressful situations that might make your dog nervous.
Separation
Does your dog cause an uproar in the neighborhood every time you leave with their barking and whining? Or maybe they have indoor accidents when you’re gone, despite being perfectly potty trained. They could be destructive when you’re not around but a perfect angel in your presence. They may even become escape artists, squirming out of their kennel, chewing through the gate in the backyard, or digging under the fence.
These are all signs of separation anxiety.
This kind of worry is often seen after a change in your dog’s living environment. For instance, if you’ve recently adopted your pup and they’re getting used to their new life as a member of your family, they may exhibit restless behaviors. Or, if you start a new job that disrupts your old schedule, your pooch may be confused and nervous about the changes.
