How to Calm an Anxious Dog: 6 Ways to Support Your Furry Friend

Every dog deserves to feel safe and comfortable, but sometimes the world is a scary place! Whether it’s a thunderstorm, an unexpected loud noise such as neighborhood fireworks, or being left alone that causes your typically fearless friend to fall to pieces, they may occasionally need a little extra support to help them stay calm.

By learning what makes your dog anxious, overly excited, or fearful and applying the right strategies to soothe their stress, you can build their confidence, restore their peace, and help them feel more like the four-legged friend you know and love.

We can’t ask our dogs why they’re so upset, but we can look for potential triggers or stressors that happen before and during their anxiousness or excitement. Common stressors for dogs include:

• Thunderstorms
• Car rides
• Changes in routine
• Being left alone or away from their preferred person (separation anxiety)
• Visits to the veterinarian, groomer, or boarding facility
• Sudden or loud noises(appliances, car horns, sirens, construction equipment, electronics, or shouting)

Learn more about motion sickness in dogs

While some behaviors, like trembling or pacing, are obvious signs of stress and anxiety, others can be difficult to recognize. For example, dogs who get overexcited can seem happy when they are actually overstimulated and unable to calm down.

Common signs of anxiety in dogs include:

• Shaking or trembling
• Hiding
• Panting
• Drooling
• Hyperactivity (zoomies, attention-seeking)
• Pacing or restlessness
• Excessive barking or whining
• Destructive behavior(chewing, digging)
• House soiling
• Fearful body language (Crouched or low posture, lifted paw, dilated pupils, lip licking, and pinned or sideways ears)

Learn more about how to quiet a barking dog. 

Dog anxiety can be mild or severe and may be caused by a hidden health problem or pain. Without treatment, separation anxiety and sensitivity to loud noises can worsen, resulting in generalized anxiety. Ongoing stress can also lead to long-term health issues. Schedule a visit with your veterinarian if your dog’s behavior suddenly changes, does not improve, or worsens.

Additional reading: What To Do When Your Dog Is Overly Aggressive Toward Other Dogs

Help is on the way! Here are six ways to reassure and calm your dog. It may take time to figure out which methods work best for your dog, so you’ll need to be patient and understanding. Remember, your dog is doing the best they can!

One of the best ways to help your dog feel better is to minimize or remove the trigger when possible. Here are some steps to take based on common stressors:

• Sudden or loud noises - Play soothing music or white noise to mask scary sounds, such as thunder or construction noise. Take your dog to an interior room to muffle outside noises.
• Separation anxiety - Create a network of caregivers to minimize the time your dog is left alone. Provide puzzle toys or chews to keep them occupied while you’re gone.
• Visual stimuli - Hang curtains or cover windows with opaque film so your dog can’t see what’s going on outside.
• Overstimulation - Create a quiet, safe space where your dog can retreat when they need a break.
• Stressful sitautions - Find a veterinary practice that uses a low-stress approach. Consider in-home services such as mobile grooming, veterinary care, and pet sitting.

Think your dog has separation anxiety? Read our blog: 7 Home Remedies for Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Mental and physical exercise help relieve stress and prevent boredom, which can cause anxiety and destructive behavior. Aim for at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity like walking, running, or playing. Make mealtime engaging with puzzle toys, slow feeders, or snuffle mats. For extra mental stimulation, spend a few minutes each day on your dog's training. This could include reviewing their skills or teaching a new trick.

Like their ancestors, dogs love a cozy den. A familiar crate, a quiet corner, or an entire room can mimic the comfort and safety of a den and provide relief for anxious dogs. Make this space extra soothing by including:

• Pheromone diffusers – Dog appeasing pheromones (DAP) mimic natural signals that help dogs feel at ease.
• Enrichment toys – Offer puzzle toys or snuffle mats to keep their mind engaged and reduce stress. Long-lasting chews or dog treats create a self-soothing effect and can help keep your dog calm in stressful situations.
• Comfort – Soft bedding, dim lighting, and gentle music promote relaxation.

Non-prescription calming aids can provide relief for dogs with mild to moderate anxiety. These tools can be effective with a consistent daily routine and positive training. Popular aids include:

• Dog appeasing pheromones (e.g., ADAPTIL) — Pheromone-containing products include sprays, diffusers, and collars.
• Anxiety wraps (e.g., ThunderShirt®) — These garments apply steady pressure to your dog's body for a calming effect similar to swaddling.

If your dog's anxiety disrupts their daily life, professional support can make a big difference. A board-certified veterinary behavorist can create a structured plan to improve how your dog copes with stressors. This process, called desensitization and counterconditioning, gradually changes their reaction to triggers and is especially helpful for dogs with separation anxiety or noise sensitivity.

In some cases, medication may be recommended to help your dog stay calm and focused while learning new coping skills, but it should always be used alongside behavior training for the best results.

If changes to your dog’s environment, routine, and exercise aren’t enough to ease their anxiety, calming supplements or medications may help.

• Calming supplements – These often contain natural ingredients like chamomile, cannabidiol (CBD), melatonin, or valerian. Talk to your veterinarian before using them, as some may interact with other medications.
• Medications – Anti-anxiety medications help balance brain chemicals, making it easier for dogs to stay calm in stressful situations. Your veterinarian may recommend daily or as-needed medication based on your dog’s needs.

Wedgewood carries several popular behavior medications to make ordering, receiving, and administering your dog’s medication as easy and stress-free as possible—for both of you! Ask your veterinarian about Wedgewood’s compounded Fluoxetine (as HCl) available in a transdermal dosage form. Or check out our  Gabapentin/ Trazodone Combo QuadTabs. We also have Amitriptyline HCl and Clomipramine HCl.  With compounding, we may also be able to customize your dog’s prescription into a more palatable formula, such as a tasty chew or flavored liquid.

Learn more about ordering your dog’s medication from Wedgewood

Calming an anxious dog can be exhausting—and make you anxious in the process! But with empathy, exercise, environmental changes, and some help from your trusted veterinarian, you can help your nervous, excitable, or anxious dog go from “ruff” to relaxed.