Puppies express their anxieties in a lot of ways. This could be through barking or whining, while some show destructive behavior and avoidance. Anxiety can be triggered by various reasons. Here are the potential causes of anxiety in puppies that you should be aware of.

Discomfort or Illness

Pain and sickness are another reason why puppies develop anxiety. They may feel nervous or angry as they do not understand  what they are feeling. Puppies usually have problems with their digestive, respiratory, or urinary systems. This is why taking your dog to get veterinary care is crucial if you feel that they are in pain or sick.

Fear and Phobias

Puppies easily develop fear and phobias to new sounds, places, people, and other animals. These fears could make them nervous, stressed out, or even aggressive. You can normally observe this when there’s thunder or fireworks. They pace, pant, or even hide from fear.

Lack of Exercise (Physical and Mental)

Playtime is important for dogs’ mental and physical health. That is why you should start introducing them to exercise and playtime while they are still puppies. If they don’t get enough exercise, they can feel anxious and bored.

Lack of Socialization

Puppies also develop anxiety due to a lack of socialization. It is very important that puppies are introduced to other dogs and humans between the ages of 3 and 14 weeks. Without proper socialization, a puppy may develop anxiety and panic once exposed to other people or visiting new places.

Separation Anxiety

One of the most common triggers of puppy anxiety is getting separated from their owners or dog siblings. Separation anxiety is a common problem with puppies as they are still emotionally vulnerable. They often express separation anxiety through barking, chewing things, and digging. Some may also show lack of appetite and trouble sleeping.

Trauma

Some puppies have to go through traumatic situations. They could have been hurt or abused in the past which will result in fear of certain people, things, or situations. As they grow, trauma can change how a dog acts and feels, even around their owners. Puppies who are abused or severely hurt in the past may become afraid and aggressive.

There are plenty of anxiety triggers for puppies. At this age, they are at their most vulnerable when it comes to their health and emotions. That is why it is very important that owners who want to start taking care of puppies should know how to handle their proper development. This way, these pups will not develop anxiety or will be checked for any possibility.