Dogs show how they feel with their bodies long before they bark or bolt. The American Animal Hospital Association lists the most commonly recognized signs of anxiety and distress in dogs and cats1. Here are the ones you can spot at home.
Signs of stress
Face
- Lip or nose licking1
- Yawning1
- Ears lowered or droopy1
- Won't meet your gaze, or stares into the middle distance1
- Drooling1
- Lips pulled back in a grimace1
Body
- Panting1
- Trembling or shaking1
- Body held low, tail tucked1
- Freezing in place1
- Pacing1
- Lifting a paw1
- Turning the head or body away1
Actions
- Hiding or trying to escape1
- Whining or other repeated sounds1
- Sticking close to you, or staying away1
- Big changes in eating or drinking1
- Grooming or licking more, or less1
- Reacting faster or more sharply than usual1
AAHA calls these nonspecific signs1: one alone can mean many things. Look for several at once, and write down what happened just before.
Storm plan
- Stay calm yourself. The ASPCA notes your dog is aware of your emotions2.
- If your dog wants to hide under a bed, in a closet or in a bathroom, let them2.
- No hiding spot? Set one up in an inside room with less noise and fewer flashes of light2.
- Offer a distraction: a game, the TV or soft music, or a food puzzle toy2.
- Keep watch. A scared dog may chew and swallow things, or bolt and get lost2.
Alone-time plan
Signs that show up only when your dog is left alone include accidents in the house, nonstop barking or howling, chewing or digging at doors and windows, escape attempts and pacing3.
- See your vet first. Several health problems can cause accidents in the house3.
- Each time you leave, offer a food puzzle toy stuffed with part of a meal. This works best for mild cases, because very worried dogs often will not eat when alone3.
- Take the meaning out of leaving cues: put on your coat or pick up your keys, then sit down and watch TV3.
- Practice absences so short your dog stays relaxed, then build up slowly over weeks3.
- Keep goodbyes and hellos calm and quiet3.
- A crate is a safe den for some dogs and stressful for others. Heavy panting, drooling or frantic escape attempts mean try a room behind a baby gate instead3.
- Daily exercise and safe chew items help keep your dog busy3. Ask your vet how much activity suits your dog's age and health.
Never punish fear
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends reward-based training only, and advises against methods that rely on force, pain or discomfort. It reports that dogs trained with those methods showed stress signs during training, and that reward-based methods support a strong, positive bond4.
When to call your vet
Call if fear is more than mild, is getting worse, or could get your dog hurt. The ASPCA notes storm fears can worsen with time, and that a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist is key for moderate to severe cases2.
Sources
- American Animal Hospital Association. 2015 AAHA Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines, Table 1: Common Signs of Anxiety/Distress. https://www.aaha.org/resources/2015-aaha-canine-and-feline-behavior-management-guidelines/common-signs-of-anxietydistress/
- ASPCA. Is Your Pet Scared of Storms? Here's How to Help! (Sept 7, 2022). https://www.aspca.org/news/your-pet-scared-storms-heres-how-help
- ASPCA. Dog behavior guide: Separation Anxiety. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/separation-anxiety
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Humane Dog Training Position Statement (2021). https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/AVSAB-Humane-Dog-Training-Position-Statement-2021.pdf