Is Your Dog Overwhelmed? A Guide to Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS)

If your dog is struggling with big feelings—fear, anxiety, or stress—you’re not alone. Many dogs show signs of FAS every day, but guardians often don’t recognize what they’re seeing or think the dog will just get over it.

Dogs can express stress inwardly (shutting down, freezing, avoiding) or outwardly (pacing, panting, barking, lunging). Even behaviors that look “aggressive,” like barking or lunging, are often your dog’s way of communicating: “I need space.”

And remember—“your dog isn’t giving you a hard time, they are having a hard time.”

Below are supportive, science-backed steps you can take today to help a dog experiencing FAS. Need more help? Schedule a Behavior Consultation to work with me!

1. BREATHE — Your Calm Helps Your Dog’s Calm

First, take a deep breath.
When we feel stressed, our dogs feel it too. They can mirror our emotional state.  It’s called emotional cognition. If we respond with anger or frustration, their stress rises; if we respond with calm and clarity, they have a better chance of regulating their emotions.

2. SAFETY FIRST — The Foundation of All Behavior

The need to feel safe is universal across all species. For dogs experiencing FAS, safety must come before training, behavior modification, or socialization.

Safe options may include:

• A quiet room or corner with a comfortable bed
• A covered crate
• A gated-off area where people cannot approach
• A predictable routine and limited exposure to triggers

Important: Avoid entering or reaching into your dog’s designated safe space.

3. CHOICE & AGENCY — Let Your Dog Decide

Choice builds confidence. Agency reduces fear.
Allow your dog to choose:

• Whether to approach or retreat
• Where to rest
• When and how to interact
• Whether they want petting or touch

When dogs choose for themselves, their stress systems begin to settle.  Not having control of one’s own body and movements is very stressful.

4. MENTAL WELLNESS, NEEDS & HEALTHY OUTLETS

Dogs who don’t have healthy outlets often have more time to worry and rehearse anxiety behaviors like pacing. The goal? Occupy the mind in species-appropriate ways that promote decompression. I can’t stress this enough. As someone who fosters shy fearful dogs and has adopted many over the years, mental stimulation can be great confidence booster!

Great options include:

• Sniffing (sniff walks, scatter feeding, snuffle mats, hiding treats)
• Licking (lickimats, stuffed Kongs)
• Chewing (natural chews, safe bones)
• Low-stress enrichment activities
• Start easy to build confidence!

Why Enrichment Matters

Research* shows enrichment can lead to:

• Faster learning
• Improved memory
• Reduced anxiety
• Healthier immune function
• Increased brain volume and neural connections
• Even mitigation of early-life deprivation

(*Studies supporting this include Harshaw, Tourgeman & Lickliter; Ten Cate 1994; Anderson 2009.)

5. YOUR BEHAVIOR MATTERS

Avoid:

• Direct approach – use a curve and make yourself small
• Forcing interactions or relationships
• Forcing touch
• Restraining unnecessarily
• Direct eye contact

Your goal is to be predictable, safe, and non-threatening.

6. CHANGING ASSOCIATIONS THROUGH COUNTER-CONDITIONING

For many FAS dogs, people can be frightening. Touch, approach, and eye contact may feel threatening.

Start here:

• Choose 2–3 short (2-minute) sessions per day.
• Approach calmly in a curve—never straight on.
• Keep your hands behind your back.
• Drop a high-value treat on the ground.
• Walk away immediately.

You’re not luring or asking the dog to move closer. You’re building a new emotional association:
People = Good things happen.

Think of it like hearing the ice cream truck as a kid—you didn’t think “danger;” you felt excited. That’s counter-conditioning. Dogs learn by associations and we are making positive associations to the presence of people!

7. IF YOUR DOG IS AFRAID OF STRANGERS

• Place your dog in a safe haven with a Kong or chew.
• Reward calm behaviors—no pressure, no forced interactions.
• Allow them to watch visitors only if they can do so without distress.
• Never correct barking. Instead, increase distance or move the dog to safety.

Barking communicates “I need space;” punishing it silences the communication but can increase the fear.

Final Thoughts

Supporting a dog with FAS takes compassion, patience, and consistency. Progress is not linear—but it is possible.

Remember:

• No pressure
• No forced interactions
• No timelines
• Relationships take time to build in all species

Working with dogs with FAS is like running a marathon NOT a sprint!  Your dog needs time, safety, patience, understanding, and tools to navigate a stressful world.

Need more help? Schedule a Behavior Consultation to work with me!

PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/dog-lying-on-wood-floor-7114115/