A dog trembling during a thunderstorm or backing away from a stranger may seem like an isolated reaction—yet new research suggests these moments are far from rare. In fact, the majority of dogs may experience some level of fear or anxiety more often than their owners, according to a new study that analyzed behavior data from tens of thousands of pets across the United States.
“These are behaviors most owners have seen at some point,” said Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a professor of behavior in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and sole author of the study published in Veterinary Research Communications. “What this research shows is just how common those responses are—and how important it is that we pay attention to them.”
Drawing from the Dog Aging Project, a large-scale national research initiative that collects owner-reported data on dogs, Beaver examined behavioral responses in more than 43,000 animals, creating one of the most comprehensive datasets to date on canine fear and anxiety.
Common triggers, real consequences
The study found that more than 84% of dogs showed at least mild signs of fear or anxiety in everyday situations, excluding learned fears related to grooming activities like nail trimming and bathing.
Because study data were based on owner observations rather than clinical diagnoses, the findings reflect how dogs behave in real-world environments rather than controlled settings, according to Beaver. While that approach introduces some variability, it also offers valuable insight into how frequently dogs encounter—and respond to—common stressors.
Among the most frequently reported triggers were unfamiliar people and unfamiliar dogs—situations many pets encounter regularly.
“Short-term fear is something we all experience, and dogs are no different,” Beaver said. “When that fear becomes chronic, that’s when it starts to impact their overall well-being.”
Long-term stress—including repeated or prolonged activity—can have lasting effects on a dog’s health, being linked to negative effects on the immune system and a dog’s overall quality and length of life, making early recognition especially important.
In more severe cases, fear can escalate dramatically over time, particularly when dogs are repeatedly exposed to stressful situations without support.
“I’ve seen dogs get to the point where they’re so distressed during storms that they try to chew through brick walls just to get into their house,” Beaver said. “Once it reaches that level, it is almost impossible to manage.”
While Beaver says these findings do not suggest that most dogs have clinical anxiety disorders, they do provide a clearer picture of how frequently dogs experience fear and anxiety across a broad population.
“With a dataset this large and diverse, we’re able to better understand what’s happening across the general dog population,” Beaver said. “It’s not limited to a specific clinic, type of case, geographic area, dog breed or size.”
