Gouves+Animal+Shelter+Paws+for+Thoughts+January+issue+2020

Fearful dogs: everything
you need to know
26
Recognizing the signs of fear in
dogs is a great start for treating
their anxiety.
Just like humans, dogs can be
fearful, shy and anxious. Fear and
anxiety can be caused by many
different factors, but fearful
behavior in dogs is most often
caused by an early traumatic
experience - which is often the
case for rescue dogs.
Fear is a natural instinct that
protects us by heightening our
awareness of potential dangers.
Normal fears serve a protective
function and keep us safe and
secure by making us wary of any
potential threat that might come
our way. However, fear can also be
problematic in cases where it is so
severe, that it causes anxiety and/
or interferes with your normal life.
It’s important to note that anxiety
disorders can affect not only
humans, but dogs as well.
Extreme fear and anxiety can occur
in dogs for many different reasons.
For example, loud noises, storms,
fire, and unfamiliar people and
places could all trigger fear and
anxiety. Fears may also be caused
by bad experiences, such as trips to
the veterinarian or time spent in
boarding kennels.
Recognizing the signs of fear in
dogs
It is likely that your dog is
experiencing a fearful reaction if he
or she displays one or more of the
following telltale signs of fear in
dogs:
Shaking or pacing
Growling, barking, whining,
howling or excessive panting
Wide, open eyes and dilated
pupils
Tail tucked between legs
Head turned away from the cause
of fear
Ears facing sideways/backwards
Attempting to “escape” a room
or cage to the point of self-injury
Crouching, slinking, or moving
backwards