Signs a Dog Is Scared of Something

Fear is an adaptive emotion that appears when a dog perceives an imminent danger. It is essential to differentiate fear from anxiety. Anxiety is a chronic state of insecurity which can develop from phobias and occur in situations which don't actually provide any imminent danger. When a dog is very scared, they can become paralyzed, try to flee the situation or even become aggressive.

Causes of fear in dogs

Fear commonly derives from a poor socialization period. This is a period during which the dog is introduced to various stimuli and situations which they are likely to encounter in their later lives. By learning how to respond during the dog's socialization phase, they will have the ability to respond appropriately later in life. If this period is neglected or their experience negative situations during this time, it will likely set the groundwork for phobias.

Trauma before, during or after socialization of dogs can also lead to fear in later life. This can be due to accidental trauma, physical abuse, emotional abuse, abandonment or other causes. They may associate this fear with very particular situations or it may be generally pervasive. There are also genetic influences which can cause dogs to be overly fearful^[1].

Pathological illnesses can threaten the security of the dog to the point they are persistently scared. They may be experiencing health problems we cannot otherwise perceive, with fear being the manifestation we eventually recognize. If the fear is allowed to become chronic, it will threaten their health. Some studies even show that dogs with chronic fear and anxiety will have a shorter life expectancy^[2].

No we know some of the causes of fear in dogs, we need to know how it manifests in their behavior. We do this in the sections below by looking at some of the main symptoms and signs your dog is scared.

As humans, we may associate the concept of having your tail between your legs as a metaphor for being embarrassed or even ashamed. Dogs do not feel embarrassment, but they do feel fear. If we see a dog with their tail down or between their legs, it is likely they are scared. Excessive or exaggerated movements can also signal phobias.

It should be noted that a dog’s tail position can communicate a range of emotions. While a tail held high often signifies confidence or excitement, a tail tucked low or between the legs is a classic indicator of fear or submission. This physical cue can be observed in various situations, such as during thunderstorms or when encountering unfamiliar dogs or humans.

Ears pulled back or glued to the head are also easy signs of fear in dogs to recognize. This is an important sign to monitor in dogs. When they are sufficiently scared, putting the ears close to the head is also a calming signal in dogs which may suggest their are about to be aggressive.

In addition to being a calming signal, ears held back can also indicate submission or uncertainty. This behavior is often accompanied by other body language cues, such as a lowered head or avoiding direct eye contact. Owners should be mindful of these signals, as they can help identify situations that may be causing stress or fear in their dog.

A frightened dog will show a hunched body and may also walk in a crouched manner. This posture tells us our canine is feeling insecure, not something they should feel in a calm and positive environment.

Similarly, a dog may also exhibit a lowered stance or even crawl along the ground when they are feeling scared or threatened. This behavior reflects their instinct to protect themselves and appear less threatening to a perceived danger. It can be particularly noticeable when encountering larger animals or unfamiliar territories.

When a dog feels scared, they often want to find somewhere they can feel secure. A hiding place is a small environment over which they can have control and protect themselves from outside forces. This can happen regularly when a dog has prolonged anxiety, but it can also happen in acute episodes of fear. An example of the latter might be when there are loud fireworks outside.

Learn more with our article on why my dog is hiding and acting strange.

On the other hand, the choice of hiding spot can vary depending on the dog’s environment and personality. Some dogs prefer enclosed spaces like under a bed or in a closet, while others might simply retreat to a quiet corner of the room. Understanding your dog's preferred hiding spots can provide valuable insights into their comfort zones and help manage their fears more effectively.

In a situation in which they perceive imminent danger, it is logical for a dog to want to escape. Running away to safety is a basic method of dealing with insecurity and is healthy when there is actual danger. When there isn't, such a need to flee with foster high levels of anxiety and stress in dogs.

Moreover, it's crucial to ensure that your home environment is secure to prevent accidental escapes. For instance, during events like thunderstorms or fireworks, some dogs may panic and try to bolt through open doors or jump over fences. Being aware of these tendencies can help you prepare and keep your pet safe during potentially frightening events.

Frightened dogs may also display different calming signals, such as licking their lips, yawning continuously, turning their heads, squinting, shrinking, averting their gaze or glancing sideways. This is in addition to many other common body language cues, some of which we have already mentioned.

For example, these signals serve as a dog's way of diffusing a tense situation or communicating discomfort to other animals or humans. Recognizing these subtle cues can aid in addressing the underlying causes of fear and ensuring a supportive environment for your pet.

Submission in dogs is an adaptive response that has allowed them to establish a hierarchy and survive in packs. It is important to highlight that within the same group of dogs that live together, variable hierarchies can be generated. They do not always follow a linear pattern. Submissive postures appear regularly in intraspecies relationships, i.e. between individuals of the same species. It does not occur between dogs and humans or other animal species.

A dog adopts such postures voluntarily when they recognize a dominant individual, expressing submission to the will of the dominant dog. However, on some extreme occasions, a dog can also carry out submission postures when recognizing itself in a situation of high stress and fear. In these cases, these postures are usually accompanied by calming signals and the other symptoms of fear mentioned in this list.

Furthermore, submissive postures can include actions such as rolling over to expose their belly or lowering their body close to the ground. These behaviors are instinctive responses aimed at avoiding conflict or aggression from others, signaling their non-threatening intentions.

Situations of high stress or that cause intense fear in dogs can lead to physiological changes. Muscle stiffness and shaking are some of the most common. A frightened dog shows tense muscles and may even tremble in fear. In more extreme situations, the dog may also be so scared they become immobilized.

It should be noted that trembling can also be a sign of other conditions, such as cold or certain medical issues. Therefore, it is important to observe the context in which the trembling occurs to better understand whether it's related to fear or another underlying cause.

Fear urination is different from submissive urination. A dog that urinates out of intense fear does so involuntarily when faced with a situation they cannot endure. For example, if your dog urinates when you scold them, it is a very obvious symptom this situation causes such fear to the point they lose control of their urinary tract.

In more severe cases, the dog may also defecate and empty their anal glands in a context of heightened stress and fear. For this reason, it is essential to eliminate physical punishment. Use positive reinforcement to properly educate your dog and stimulate their cognitive, emotional and social abilities.

Similarly, creating a calm and supportive environment can help reduce instances of fear-induced urination. This includes using gentle tones when addressing your dog and providing them with a safe space where they feel protected from perceived threats.

In cases of chronic fear and anxiety, dogs can develop stereotypies. These are behaviors which the dog repeats incessantly, but which serve no helpful purpose to them. They often occur when the dog has prolonged exposure to stressful and negative environments where fear is consistently promoted.

The most commonly observed stereotypies in dogs are chasing and nipping their tail, excessive biting or licking of their fur, incessant barking and chasing imaginary flies, among others. Some behaviors may be particularly odd, such as licking metal or licking urine off the ground.

For example, addressing stereotypies often requires a comprehensive approach that includes identifying and minimizing stressors in the dog's environment, along with providing mental stimulation and regular physical exercise to help alleviate anxiety-related behaviors.

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