Bringing home a new puppy is one of life’s great joys. Their soft ears and clumsy paws. The way they fall asleep mid-play as if someone has pulled their batteries out. But just like people, puppies come with their own worries, quirks, and occasionally, anxiety.

A bit of nervousness is completely normal. Puppies are tiny explorers in a massive, confusing world. Everything from the postman to a plastic bag blowing past can seem scary when you're that small. But when fear starts taking over, or your puppy can't seem to settle, that's when anxiety becomes a real issue.

What is anxiety in dogs?

Anxiety is an increased state of fear in response to perceived threats. Think of it as your dog's brain being on high alert, anticipating danger even when there isn't any real threat present.

• Fear is a normal, immediate response to something scary that's happening (like a loud noise or an aggressive dog).

• Anxiety is worrying about something that might happen or anticipating a threat that isn't actually there yet.

• A phobia is an extreme, irrational fear that triggers an over-the-top reaction. 

It’s completely normal for dogs to feel anxious now and then, but it becomes a problem when that anxiety gets too intense or is ignored. If it’s left to build up, it can turn into an anxiety disorder.

What causes anxiety?

Puppies can develop anxiety for lots of reasons, and sometimes it's a combination of factors rather than one specific thing. 

• Inadequate socialisation

• If they don’t have positive, gentle exposure to new people, dogs, sounds, and situations during socialisation (especially up to 16 weeks old), they may develop long-lasting fears.

• Genetics

• Some breeds, particularly herding and toy breeds, are more prone to anxious behaviour. 

• Past experiences

• Puppies can be affected by past trauma. Even something that seems minor to us can leave a lasting impression.

• Health issues

  • Pain can trigger fearful behaviour. Puppies can have underlying medical problems, which is why a vet check is always the first step in the investigation.

Common triggers of anxiety

• Loud noises: Including fireworks, thunderstorms, and the hoover. Sound phobias are very common, especially in herding breeds.

• Separation: Many puppies don’t like being left alone, even for short periods. They're social animals who've never been without their mum and littermates, so suddenly being solo can be scary.

• Other dogs and people: Puppies who haven't been properly socialised might find meeting new dogs or unfamiliar people overwhelming or frightening.

• New places: The car, the vet, crowded areas—anything outside their comfort zone can trigger anxiety.

• Changes in routine: Dogs are creatures of habit. Moving house, a new baby, or even just a shift in work schedule can unsettle them.

What are the signs of anxiety?

Signs of anxiety can range from subtle trembling, pacing and panting to more obvious barking and destructive chewing.

Watch for yawning, lip licking, looking away, tucking their tail, or trying to hide. Some puppies may freeze completely. These are all ways your puppy is saying, "I'm not okay with this."

In more extreme situations, fear can actually turn into aggression. If your puppy feels cornered or threatened, they might snap, lunge, or even bite. This is serious behaviour that needs immediate professional help.

What to do if your puppy shows signs of anxiety

1. Get your puppy checked by a vet. It’s important to rule out medical problems that might be causing or worsening the anxiety. 

2. Once medical problems are ruled out, a qualified behaviourist is your best bet. They'll create a behaviour modification plan tailored specifically to your puppy's needs. 

3. Your vet or behaviourist might suggest anti-anxiety medication alongside the behaviour plan. 

4. Avoid the things that trigger your puppy's anxiety as much as you can whilst you're working on the problem. 

In the meantime, create a safe space at home where your puppy can retreat when they're feeling overwhelmed. Fill it with their favourite blankets and toys and place a calming pheromone diffuser nearby. Provide long-lasting, safe puppy chews or food-stuffed kongs to promote calm. Keep to a consistent daily routine—predictability helps anxious puppies feel more secure.

What NOT to do

• Never punish an anxious puppy. It might be frustrating when they've destroyed your favourite shoes or barked for an hour straight, but punishment will worsen the problem. Your puppy isn't being naughty—they're genuinely distressed.

• Don't rely solely on calming supplements or pheromones to fix the problem. Without professional behavioural help, you're just putting a plaster on a much bigger issue.

• Don't ignore the problem, hoping it'll sort itself out. Anxiety-related behaviour almost always gets worse without intervention. 

• Don’t get them neutered early without speaking to a vet and behaviourist beforehand. Fear and anxiety can get worse with neutering, so building confidence first can help.

Finding the right help

When you're looking for a behaviourist, make sure they're properly qualified and use modern, ethical techniques. Look for professionals registered with organisations like the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC), which maintains standards for the profession. Your vet can help you find someone suitable. 

Q&As Puppy Anxiety

Q: Can puppies grow out of anxiety? 

A: Unfortunately, no. Anxiety doesn't disappear with age—in fact, it usually gets worse without proper intervention. However, with the right help from a vet and behaviourist, most puppies can learn to manage their anxiety and become more confident. Early treatment gives you the best chance of success.

Q: My puppy destroys the house when I leave. Is this separation anxiety or just bad behaviour? 

A: It could be either, which is why professional help is so important. True separation anxiety means your puppy is genuinely distressed when left alone. They often show other signs like excessive barking or howling, toileting indoors, pacing, and drooling. If you're seeing these signs, get professional help as soon as you can.

Q: Should I comfort my puppy when they're scared, or will that reward the fear? 

A: You can't reinforce fear by comforting your puppy—that's a myth. Fear is an emotion, not a behaviour. If your puppy is scared, offering gentle reassurance is fine. What you want to avoid is making a massive fuss or acting overly dramatic, which can actually increase their stress.

Q: How long does it take to treat puppy anxiety? 

A: Unfortunately, there's no quick fix. Every puppy is different, and the timeline depends on the severity of the anxiety and what's causing it. Some puppies show improvement within weeks, while others need months of consistent work. The key is patience and consistency.

Q. Can you prevent anxiety in dogs?

A: Unfortunately, not always. But you can help by slowly introducing new experiences, building up alone time gradually and offering plenty of mental and physical stimulation. Puppies thrive on a predictable and stable routine. 

Puppy anxiety isn't something you should tackle alone, and it's definitely not something that'll just go away with time. With the right professional support, most puppies can learn to feel more confident and cope better with the things that scare them. Yes, it takes patience and consistency, but the payoff—a happy, well-adjusted dog—is absolutely worth it.

Join us next month for a blog all about neutering your puppy—what to expect, when to do it, and how to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.