More than four in five dogs show signs of fear or anxiety in everyday situations, according to the largest study of its kind — raising significant concerns about the mental wellbeing of millions of family pets and prompting experts to urge owners to seek veterinary help before mild anxiety escalates into aggression.
Researchers from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences analysed behavioural data from 43,517 dogs enrolled by their owners in the Dog Aging Project, asking owners nine questions designed to assess the levels of anxiety and fearfulness in their pets. The results, published in the journal Veterinary Research Communications, found that 91 per cent of dogs showed at least mild signs of fear or anxiety across all recorded situations. When nail trimming and bathing — both considered learned responses rather than innate fears — were excluded, that figure settled at 84 per cent.
The most commonly reported triggers were unfamiliar people and unfamiliar dogs, followed by loud noises, strange objects and unfamiliar environments. Signs of mild anxiety include avoiding eye contact, crouching with the tail tucked between the legs, whimpering, freezing and trembling. In more severe cases, dogs may cower, attempt to escape or hide, or in extreme instances become destructive.
Dr Bonnie Beaver, the study’s lead author, said the findings reflected what veterinary professionals had long suspected but had never been able to quantify at scale. “These are behaviours most owners have seen at some point,” she said. “What this research shows is just how common those responses are — and how important it is that we pay attention to them.”
She described cases where dogs had become so severely distressed during storms that they attempted to chew through brick walls to reach safety. “Once it reaches that level, it is almost impossible to manage,” she said.
The researchers warned that untreated anxiety carries a serious risk of escalation. “When dogs are repeatedly put into situations they’re not comfortable with, such as having to interact with strangers, that fear can escalate,” Dr Beaver said. “In some cases, the only way they know how to respond is through aggression.” Owners who notice persistent or worsening signs of anxiety in their pets are advised to consult a vet before the behaviour deteriorates further.
The study’s authors emphasised that fear and anxiety in dogs cannot be eliminated entirely, but can be recognised, monitored and addressed at an early stage. “Dogs, like people, are going to experience fear in certain situations,” Dr Beaver said. “The concern is when that fear becomes more consistent or continues to increase over time. That’s when we need to step in.”
