10 Signs Your Dog Has Anxiety | gocalmpup

Dog Wellness

10 Signs Your Dog Has Anxiety (And What You Can Do About It)

gocalmpup Team • 5 min read • Updated Jun 2026

Your dog might be anxious right now — and you may not even know it. Studies show that 70% of dogs display anxiety signs that their owners completely miss. These aren't just "bad behaviors" — they're cries for help.

The good news? Once you know what to look for, you can help. Here are 10 signs your dog has anxiety — and exactly what you can do about each one.

1 Excessive Barking or Whining

If your dog barks or whines constantly when you leave the house — or even when you're in another room — this is one of the most common signs of separation anxiety. The vocalization often starts within minutes of you leaving and can continue for hours.

You might also notice whining when they sense you're about to leave, like when you grab your keys or put on your shoes.

What to do: Try giving your dog a calming chew 30 minutes before you leave. The natural ingredients help reduce the stress response without sedating them. Combined with gradual desensitization training, most dogs show significant improvement within 1-2 weeks.

2 Destructive Chewing or Scratching

Coming home to chewed furniture, scratched doors, or destroyed shoes isn't your dog being "bad" — it's your dog panicking. Destructive behavior is almost always a symptom of anxiety, not disobedience.

Watch for damage concentrated around exit points: doors, windows, and crates. This indicates your dog was trying to escape or reach you.

What to do: Provide mental stimulation before you leave (puzzle toys, training sessions). A calming chew can reduce the anxiety that drives the destruction. For severe cases, combine with a pet camera to monitor progress.

3 Pacing and Restlessness

An anxious dog can't settle. They pace back and forth, circle before lying down, or constantly shift positions. You might notice this during thunderstorms, fireworks, or when strangers visit.

This restlessness is your dog's fight-or-flight response stuck in the "on" position. Their body is preparing for danger that doesn't exist.

What to do: Create a safe space — a quiet room or crate with their favorite blanket. Calming chews with ingredients like Valerian Root and Hemp Oil help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing your dog to finally relax.

4 Panting When It's Not Hot

If your dog is panting heavily without physical exertion or warm temperatures, stress is the likely culprit. Stress panting is different from exercise panting — it's often accompanied by wide eyes, pinned ears, and a tense body.

This is your dog's body trying to cool down from the internal heat generated by anxiety.

What to do: First, rule out medical issues with your vet. If it's anxiety-related, natural calming supplements can help regulate the stress response. Look for ingredients like Chamomile and Ginger, which soothe both the mind and stomach.

5 Hiding or Excessive Clinginess

Anxious dogs tend to go to extremes: they either hide under furniture, in closets, or behind toilets — or they become "velcro dogs" who follow you everywhere, even to the bathroom.

Both behaviors stem from the same root: fear. Hiding is avoidance; clinginess is seeking safety. Neither is "normal" behavior for a confident, relaxed dog.

What to do: Don't punish the hiding — it's their coping mechanism. Instead, work on building confidence through positive reinforcement. Calming chews can lower baseline anxiety, making training more effective.

6 Accidents Inside the House

If your house-trained dog suddenly starts having accidents, anxiety is almost always the cause. Stress hormones can literally override bladder control, especially in dogs with separation anxiety.

This is not disobedience. Your dog isn't "getting back at you" — they're physically unable to control their bladder under extreme stress.

What to do: Clean accidents with enzymatic cleaner (not ammonia-based). Address the root anxiety with calming supplements and desensitization training. Most dogs improve within 2-4 weeks of consistent treatment.

7 Loss of Appetite

When dogs are stressed, eating becomes a low priority. You might notice your dog leaving food in their bowl, eating much slower than usual, or refusing treats they normally love.

Chronic anxiety can lead to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies, making it important to address the underlying cause.

What to do: Try hand-feeding or adding warm water to kibble to increase aroma. Calming chews with Ginger can also help soothe stomach upset caused by stress, making mealtime more appealing.

8 Excessive Licking

Dogs who constantly lick their paws, the air, or furniture are engaging in a self-soothing behavior. Licking releases endorphins, which temporarily calm anxiety — but it's a compulsive cycle that can lead to skin irritation and hair loss.

Watch for "hot spots" on their paws or excessive grooming that leaves fur wet or missing.

What to do: Check for allergies first (your vet can help). If it's anxiety-related licking, calming supplements can break the cycle. Natural ingredients like Hemp Oil help address the root cause, not just the symptom.

9 Aggression or Fearfulness

Growling, snapping, or lunging at shadows, strangers, or other animals is often fear-based aggression. Anxious dogs feel threatened by things that aren't actually dangerous, and aggression is their last-resort defense mechanism.

This is especially concerning if it's a new behavior or if your dog has never shown aggression before.

What to do: Never punish aggression — it makes the fear worse. Work with a professional trainer on desensitization. Calming chews can lower reactivity, making training sessions more productive and safer.

10 Escape Attempts

Dogs who scratch at doors, jump fences, or try to squeeze through windows are in full panic mode. Escape behavior is the most extreme form of separation anxiety — your dog is literally trying to find you.

This behavior is dangerous: escaped dogs can get hit by cars, lost, or injured. It needs immediate attention.

What to do: Secure your environment first (baby gates, crate training, double-crate for diggers). Then address the anxiety with a multi-pronged approach: calming chews, desensitization training, and possibly a Thundershirt for immediate relief.

Help Your Dog Feel Calm Again

If you recognize 3 or more of these signs, your dog likely has anxiety. The good news: it's treatable. gocalmpup Calming Chews are vet-formulated with natural ingredients that calm without sedating.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Anxiety can be managed effectively in most dogs. While some dogs may always have a tendency toward anxiety, consistent training combined with natural calming supplements can reduce symptoms by 80-90%. The key is addressing it early and using a multi-pronged approach.

Most dogs show noticeable improvement within 30-60 minutes of taking a calming chew. For long-term benefits, give daily for at least 2-4 weeks. Many owners see significant behavior improvement within the first week of consistent use.

gocalmpup Calming Chews are safe for dogs over 12 weeks old. For puppies, start with half the recommended dose based on weight. Always consult your vet before starting any new supplement, especially for very young or small dogs.

It's always a good idea to rule out medical issues first. Some conditions (pain, thyroid problems, neurological issues) can mimic anxiety symptoms. Once medical causes are ruled out, natural calming supplements combined with behavior modification are highly effective.

The most effective natural ingredients for dog anxiety include Hemp Oil, Valerian Root, Chamomile, and L-Theanine. These work together to calm the nervous system without drowsiness. gocalmpup Calming Chews combine all four in a vet-formulated blend that dogs actually love taking.

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Join thousands of dog parents who've helped their anxious dogs feel calm and safe again.

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