Home Dog Behavior Anxiety

Dog Anxiety and Separation Anxiety

By the Dog Health Handbook team · Updated · Fact-checked against current veterinary references (see sources)

Key takeaways

  • About a third to a half of dogs fear loud noises; separation anxiety affects roughly 1 in 20 to 1 in 5.
  • Signs include panting, pacing, barking, destruction and accidents.
  • Gradual, reward-based training is the main treatment.
  • Prescription medicines help moderate to severe cases.
  • Never punish an anxious dog, and it's fine to comfort him.

Table of Contents

Research Signs Separation anxiety Noise fears Treatment What not to do FAQ Sources

Dog Behavior Quicklinks

Behavior Problems Anxiety Aggression and Biting Barking Eating Poop and Grass Peeing in the House Dementia

Anxiety is one of the most common behavior problems in dogs. About a third to a half of dogs are afraid of loud noises such as fireworks.1,2,3 Separation anxiety affects roughly 1 in 20 to 1 in 5 dogs, depending on the study.1,4,5 Signs include:6,7,8

  • Panting, pacing, trembling, drooling and hiding
  • Barking or howling
  • Destructive chewing or digging, often at doors and windows
  • Accidents in the house and escape attempts

Anxiety improves with:7,4,9

  • Gradual, reward-based training (desensitization and counterconditioning)
  • Changes to the dog's routine and home
  • For moderate to severe cases, a prescription anti-anxiety medicine

Anxious behavior isn't spite or disobedience, so never punish it. Punishment makes anxiety worse.7,8,10

See your vet soon if your dog:

  • Hurts himself trying to escape, or panics during storms or when left alone. Vets treat severe separation anxiety as a behavioral emergency.11,7
  • Suddenly becomes anxious or clingy, especially if older. Pain, illness and cognitive decline can cause anxiety.12,13,14
  • Shows new fears along with aggression6,11

What the Research Says

  • Noise fear is the most common anxiety. In 13,715 Finnish dogs, 32% were sensitive to noises, 26% feared fireworks and 29% were fearful of other dogs, people or new situations.1
  • Noise fears rarely fade on their own. Only 4% of noise-fearful UK dogs recovered without help. Dogs that freeze or can't find somewhere to hide are more likely to get worse.15
  • Behavior therapy works for separation problems. In a controlled trial, owners reported improvement in 81% of dogs after 12 weeks of behavior therapy, while untreated dogs didn't change.10
  • Pain can cause noise fear. In a small study, dogs with joint or muscle pain developed noise sensitivity later in life and improved once their pain was treated.13

Signs of Anxiety in Dogs

  • Body signs: panting, trembling, pacing, drooling, lip licking, yawning, a tucked tail, ears back and hiding8,16,17
  • Behavior signs: barking or howling, destructiveness, accidents in the house, escaping, not eating, and clinginess7,9
  • Defensive signs: growling, snapping or biting when a frightened dog can't get away17,6

Fear is a reaction to something present, such as a storm. Anxiety is worry about something that might happen. A phobia is an extreme fear that doesn't fade on its own.17,6

Separation Anxiety

Dogs with separation anxiety become distressed when left alone, usually within the first 15 to 30 minutes.6,9 Signs include:7,10

  • Barking or howling
  • Chewing or scratching at doors and windows
  • Accidents in the house
  • Drooling
  • Pacing
  • Escape attempts

If these happen while you're home, it probably isn't separation anxiety. Filming your dog when alone helps your vet tell the difference.7,11 Possible triggers include:7,10,4

  • A move, a new schedule, or the loss of a family member
  • Never having learned to be alone as a puppy
  • Adoption from a shelter

Another dog in the home doesn't prevent it.4 Separation problems are different from a clingy dog that follows you around but stays calm when you leave.18

How to treat separation anxiety

  1. See your vet to rule out medical causes and discuss medicine.7,11
  2. Keep absences shorter than your dog can cope with. Use a sitter, daycare or a friend while you train.7
  3. Practice short, calm departures. Start with seconds, then build up slowly over weeks to months. Pick up keys and put on shoes without leaving until these cues no longer upset your dog.7,9
  4. Give a food-stuffed puzzle toy as you leave, and put it away when you return.7
  5. Keep greetings and goodbyes low-key, and give plenty of exercise and mental activity.7,10

Crating helps some dogs but makes others panic. A gated room may be better.7,4 Never punish your dog when you come home. He can't connect it to the earlier behavior and will start to dread your return.10,7

Fear of Thunder, Fireworks and Loud Noises

Thunderstorms and fireworks are the most common triggers. Signs often start before the storm arrives.6,8 Most firework fears start in the first year of life.2 To help:8,15,2

  • Make a safe den. Choose a quiet room with small windows and blankets your dog can get under or behind, and let your dog go there freely. Don't shut a panicking dog in a crate or room.
  • Reduce the noise with closed windows, heavy curtains, and background music or white noise.
  • Stay calm and comfort your dog if he wants it. The idea that comforting a scared dog rewards the fear is a myth.
  • Pair noises with good things. Offer treats and play during fireworks. Teaching puppies to link noises with good things helps prevent fear.
  • Ask your vet about medicine before fireworks season. As-needed anti-anxiety medicine is a first-line treatment, and most moderate to severe cases need it.11,8

Desensitizing dogs to recordings of noises can help, especially for fireworks, but go slowly with a professional's guidance. Playing recordings too loud can make fear worse.9,8

Treatment: Training, Medicine and Calming Aids

  • Desensitization and counterconditioning: gradually exposing your dog to a mild version of the trigger while he's relaxed, and pairing it with food or play. These are the main treatments.17,4,6
  • Prescription medicine: several medicines are now approved in the US for separation anxiety or noise fears. These include two antidepressants for separation anxiety, an oral gel for noise fear, and, since 2026, an oral medicine for both. Others are used off-label. Medicine shouldn't be a last resort, but it works best alongside training.19,20,21
  • Pheromone diffusers and collars: may help some dogs, but the evidence is weak.22,11
  • Pressure wraps: evidence is weak and limited, and in one review, 2 of the 4 studies were funded by a wrap maker. They're safe to try, but watch for overheating.23,8
  • Calming supplements and treats: evidence is limited or low quality, including for CBD.24,25,11

Never give your dog your own or anyone else's anxiety medicines or sedatives. Your vet can prescribe a medicine that suits your dog, which may be one approved for dogs or one used off-label.19

What Not to Do

  • Don't punish, scold or yell7,8
  • Don't force your dog to face his fears (flooding) or drag him toward things he's afraid of9,15
  • Don't block your dog's hiding place15
  • Don't expect him to grow out of it. Most fears stay the same or get worse without help.15,26

For newly adopted dogs, shelters often use the informal "3-3-3 rule": about 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to settle into a routine, and 3 months to feel at home. Every dog adjusts at its own pace.27 Fearfulness is the most common problem in the first month after adoption.26

See also dog behavior problems, dog barking and dog shaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I calm my anxious dog?

Give a safe den, reduce triggers, stay calm and ask your vet about training and medicine.

Does separation anxiety go away?

It rarely goes away by itself, but most dogs improve with treatment.

Which dog breeds are prone to anxiety?

Any breed can be affected. In one large Finnish study, fear was most common in Spanish Water Dogs, Shetland Sheepdogs and mixed breeds, and noise sensitivity in Lagotto Romagnolos, Wheaten Terriers and mixed breeds.

Can I give my dog something for anxiety?

Ask your vet. Several prescription medicines for dogs are approved for anxiety.

Is it OK to comfort my dog during fireworks?

Yes. Comforting a scared dog doesn't reward the fear.

Ask Our Team a Question

Help Others by Sharing Your Dog Health Related Question or Story!

Have a Question, Request or Want to Share a Story that could help others? Our team will answer questions for free!

Please include information such as your dog's medical history, age, sex, breed, symptoms, diet, changes in behavior and medications. Providing pictures by uploading them below can also be of help.

We will do our best to get back to you quickly (it depends on how many questions we receive each day). If you do require an immediate response we suggest using this online dog veterinary service that is available now.

[ ? ]

Upload 1-4 Pictures or Graphics (optional)[ ? ]

 

Click here to upload more images (optional)

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

(first or full name)

(e.g., City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

  •  submission guidelines.


(You can preview and edit on the next page)

Sources and further reading

This article was written and fact-checked on October 26, 2026 against current veterinary references and specialist guidelines:

  1. Salonen M, Sulkama S, Mikkola S, et al. Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs. Sci Rep 2020;10:2962. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-59837-z
  2. Riemer S. Not a one-way road: Severity, progression and prevention of firework fears in dogs. PLoS ONE 2019;14(9):e0218150. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0218150
  3. Mazzolini C (reporting Beaver BV. Vet Res Commun 2026;50(4):284, doi:10.1007/s11259-026-11227-y). How common is fear and anxiety in dogs? A study of 43,000 pets offers answers. dvm360, May 15, 2026.
  4. Sargisson RJ. Canine separation anxiety: strategies for treatment and management. Vet Med (Auckl) 2014;5:143-151. doi:10.2147/VMRR.S60424
  5. Bautista-Alejandre A (reporting Serpell JA, Powell LR. J Vet Behav 2026;83:8-13, doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2025.11.005). New study challenges finding that 99% of US dogs have behavior problems, says rates were overstated. dvm360, October 2026.
  6. Landsberg GM. Behavior Problems in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version), reviewed February 2018, updated April 2026.
  7. ASPCA. Separation Anxiety. ASPCA, accessed October 2026.
  8. Seward A. Fear of Thunderstorms and Fireworks. Penn Vet Behavior Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, accessed October 2026.
  9. Borns-Weil S. Behavior Problems of Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual (professional version), reviewed and updated September 2025.
  10. Casey RA. Separation Related Behaviours. European Veterinary Conference Voorjaarsdagen, The Hague, 2016 (IVIS).
  11. Hammerle M, Horst C, Levine E, Overall K, Radosta L, Rafter-Ritchie M, Yin S. 2015 AAHA Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2015;51:205-221. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6527
  12. Mills DS, Demontigny-Bedard I, Gruen M, Klinck MP, McPeake KJ, Barcelos AM, Hewison L, Van Haevermaet H, Denenberg S, et al. Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs. Animals 2020;10(2):318. doi:10.3390/ani10020318
  13. Lopes Fagundes AL, Hewison L, McPeake KJ, Zulch H, Mills DS. Noise Sensitivities in Dogs: An Exploration of Signs in Dogs with and without Musculoskeletal Pain Using Qualitative Content Analysis. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:17. doi:10.3389/fvets.2018.00017
  14. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in Dogs. Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, updated October 2025.
  15. Bowen J. New Perspectives on Noise Phobia. Southern European Veterinary Conference, Barcelona, 2017 (IVIS).
  16. PDSA. Canine communication: recognising stress in your dog (canine ladder of communication). PDSA, accessed October 2026.
  17. Pluijmakers J. Understanding Anxiety, Fears and Phobias in Dogs: Differential Diagnoses, Behavioural First Aid and Treatment. Southern European Veterinary Conference, Barcelona, 2014 (IVIS).
  18. Meyers H. Why Does My Dog Follow Me Everywhere? American Kennel Club, updated July 2023.
  19. Merck Veterinary Manual. Common Drugs Used to Treat Behavior Problems in Dogs (table). Merck Veterinary Manual, references accessed September 2025.
  20. AAHA Staff. FDA approves oral drug to manage both noise aversion and separation anxiety in dogs. AAHA Trends, May 22, 2026.
  21. American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Position Statement on Humane Dog Training. AVSAB, 2021.
  22. Wong CF, Govendir M. Can dog appeasing pheromone ameliorate stress behaviours associated with anxiety in mature domestic dogs? Veterinary Evidence 2021;6(4). doi:10.18849/ve.v6i4.421
  23. Mathis S, Schoolfield S, Gross P, Gruen M, Dorman DC. A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Compression Wraps as an Anxiolytic in Domesticated Dogs. Animals 2024;14(23):3445. doi:10.3390/ani14233445
  24. Buckley LA. Is Alpha-casozepine efficacious at reducing anxiety in dogs? Veterinary Evidence 2017;2(3). doi:10.18849/ve.v2i3.67
  25. Flint HE, Weller JE, Hunt ABG, King T. Treats containing cannabidiol, L-tryptophan and alpha-casozepine have a mild stress-reducing effect in dogs. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1632868. doi:10.3389/fvets.2025.1632868
  26. Pluijmakers J. What Common Behaviour Problems Can New Owners of Shelter Dogs Expect? Southern European Veterinary Conference, Madrid, 2018 (IVIS).
  27. Winnipeg Humane Society. 3-3-3 Rule of Adoption. Winnipeg Humane Society, February 2022, updated May 2024.

About this article

Last updated : new page, written using AAHA guidelines, the Merck Veterinary Manual, the ASPCA, Penn Vet, IVIS proceedings and studies published 2014 to 2026.

This page is for general information and is not a substitute for an exam by your veterinarian.