Anxious dogs can improve with age, maturity, training, and management, learning coping skills, but many don't outgrow anxiety and some even develop more anxiety as they age due to health issues or cognitive decline (CCD). While many dogs calm down around age 3, it's crucial to be proactive with training, routine, and potentially professional help (behaviorists/vets) rather than just waiting for age to fix it.
Tips for Calming Your Dog Naturally
Some common concerns reported by guardians of aging dogs are increased sensitivity and irritability, increased fear of unfamiliar pets and people (sometimes accompanied by aggression), decreased tolerance of touch and restraint, increased following and desire for contact, and increased anxiety when left alone.
It's possible! Most fearful dogs gradually improve with time, training, and trust. But they won't likely become outgoing if they're naturally nervous or shy.
Some of the most common medications for anxiety in dogs include:
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
The dog breeds that are more likely to have this problem are the German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and German Shorthaired Pointer.
Triggers vary from animal to animal and may include:
It is hypothesized that chronic activation of the stress response will have detrimental health effects. It is predicted that dogs suffering from fear and anxiety disorders will have decreased lifespans and increased disease frequency and severity.
The following is a rough guide to when dogs are considered senior: Small dogs (under 20 lbs): between 7-10 years old. Medium dogs (21-50 lbs): from 7 years old. Large (51-90 lbs) and giant dogs (over 90 lbs): from 5-6 years old.
An illness or painful condition can increase dog anxiety. A history of limited social contact, neglect, and confinement may cause both fear based and separation anxiety. This can also occur in dogs that have spent time in a shelter. Some dogs will experience General Anxiety, and some breeds are more prone than others.
Here are the most commonly prescribed dog anxiety medications.
Signs your dog might be anxious
Back and shoulders: One of the best spots to pet your dog is starting between their shoulders and moving down their back until the space just above the base of their tail. Some dogs may appreciate a firmer touch or gentle scratching in this area.
Engage your dog in training games that stimulate their mind and provide a distraction from anxiety triggers. Games like hide-and-seek, puzzle toys, and scent work can be very effective. Steps: Introduce Puzzle Toys: Use toys that challenge your dog's mind and reward them with treats.
The #1 worst habit for anxiety isn't singular, but avoidance (procrastination), poor sleep, and negative thought patterns (like catastrophizing) are top contenders, creating vicious cycles where anxiety fuels these behaviors, and the behaviors, in turn, worsen anxiety by preventing healthy coping and creating more stress. Other significant habits include excessive caffeine, poor diet, too much screen time, and social withdrawal, all disrupting the body's ability to manage stress effectively.
Here's what we know — and don't know — about some herbal supplements:
The 4 P's stand for predisposing factors, precipitating factors, perpetuating factors, and protective factors, and typically developed together in early therapy sessions between the client and the psychologist.
The long and the short of it, vitamin D deficiency is regularly noted in cases of anxiety. Dog's don't have the same ability to synthesis vitamin D from the sun as we do, so they rely solely on dietary sources. Sources of vitamin D include oily fish, red meat, liver, and eggs.
One of the most effective ways to help an anxious dog is to crate them. A dog crate can provide a safe space for your dog to relax in and can help reduce or eliminate destructive behaviors.
A lot of senior dogs may experience more anxiety than they had in the past over different situations. Anxiety can present itself in many ways in your dog. Symptoms can be shaking, panting, pacing, becoming clingy, restless or lethargic, excessively licking or biting themselves, and in some cases becoming aggressive.
Dog Breeds Most Likely to Bite
You might also try playing quiet, classical music in the background, as this has been scientifically proven to have a calming effect on dogs. Natural therapies and products can also help with anxiety, including calming aids like pheromone collars (Adaptil) or products like the Anxiety Wrap or Thunder Shirts.
The "heartbreak breed" refers primarily to the Great Dane, nicknamed this due to their affectionate nature combined with a relatively short lifespan (around 7-10 years) and susceptibility to serious heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), making losing them particularly difficult for their devoted owners. Other giant breeds like Irish Wolfhounds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Saint Bernards also face significant health challenges, including cancer and heart disease, often earning them similar sentiments from owners.