According to owner-reported data from a large-scale study of dogs across the U.S., over 80 percent of our canine companions show mild signs of fear or anxiety in day-to-day situations.
The study excluded dogs’ learned fears, like those triggered by nail clipping and bathing. Short-term fear or anxiety — that is, the kind that people often experience, too — was most often associated with unfamiliar dogs and unfamiliar people. While this stands to reason and isn’t harmful, long-term anxiety can ultimately affect a dog’s health and quality of life.
That’s why fear-based behaviors should be recognized and monitored as part of a dog’s routine veterinary care. If signs worsen over time, they need to be addressed as soon as possible to avoid more serious consequences.