Learn how we support fearful and anxious dogs →

And that doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong.

Fear and anxiety don’t always look loud -
but they can quietly take over your dog’s life.

A different approach for dogs who need safety before training.

Fearful & Anxious Dogs


Some dogs may also show reactive behaviors as fear builds over time. You can learn more about that here → Reactive Dogs

Fearful and anxious dogs don’t always bark, lunge, or growl.
Many of them look busy, scattered, distracted, or shut down - often overwhelmed by everything happening around them.

You might notice your dog:
  • Pulling side to side on leash, almost erratic, moving every which way while constantly scanning their environment
  • Darting away from sounds or sudden movement
  • Army crawling, freezing, or “pancaking”
  • Startling easily or appearing jumpy
  • Running quickly without clear direction
  • Struggling to focus or “listen” once outside the house
To the outside world, it can look like leash pulling or lack of focus. But very often, these dogs aren’t being difficult - they’re overwhelmed.

Their nervous system is working overtime just to survive the environment around them.

Some dogs may also show reactive behaviors as fear builds over time. You can learn more about that here → Reactive Dogs
Fearful and anxious dogs don’t always bark, lunge, or growl.
Many of them look busy, scattered, distracted, or shut down - often overwhelmed by everything happening around them.

You might notice your dog:
  • Pulling side to side on leash, almost erratic, moving every which way while constantly scanning their environment
  • Darting away from sounds or sudden movement
  • Army crawling, freezing, or “pancaking”
  • Startling easily or appearing jumpy
  • Running quickly without clear direction
  • Struggling to focus or “listen” once outside the house
To the outside world, it can look like leash pulling or lack of focus. But very often, these dogs aren’t being difficult - they’re overwhelmed.

Their nervous system is working overtime just to survive the environment around them.

Fearful and anxious dogs don’t always bark, lunge, or growl.
Many of them look busy, scattered, or shut down.

WHEN FEAR & ANXIETY DON’T LOOK LIKE “REACTIVITY”

FEAR & ANXIETY OFTEN HAVE A STORY — BUT THEY DON’T DEFINE YOUR DOG

Many fearful or anxious dogs come from unknown or difficult beginnings.

Some were adopted recently.
Some spent time in shelters.
Some simply experienced the world in ways that felt overwhelming early on.

What matters most isn’t why the fear started - it’s how we respond to it now.

Fear isn’t a failure.
It’s a nervous system asking for safety, clarity, and time.
Dogs who are anxious or fearful often don’t show aggression or classic reactivity at all.

But they also can’t learn in the environments they’re being asked to navigate. Trying to correct, distract, or override fear without addressing what’s underneath often leads to:
  • Temporary improvement that doesn’t last
  • Increased shutdown or avoidance
  • Behaviors returning in new ways
Real progress happens when dogs feel safe enough to learn - not just comply.

When a dog is sound sensitive, constantly scanning, or unable to settle, their brain is focused on survival, not learning.

That is why we focus on:
  • Emotional regulation before expectations
  • Clarity before exposure
  • Trust before pressure

Training doesn’t fail because the dog is stubborn.
It fails because the dog is depleted.

WHY EXPOSURE & “JUST TRAINING” CAN MAKE THINGS WORSE

Our Training Approach
I often explain this to clients using a human comparison.

After a car accident or an intense emotional event, your body floods with stress hormones. Even after the event is over, it can take days or weeks to fully recover.

Now imagine that happening multiple times a day - every walk, every outing, every new sound (A leaf falling off a tree outside ;).

Many fearful dogs never fully recover before the next stressor hits.

They are stuck in a constant cycle of fight-or-flight hormone depletion - which means:
  • They can’t reset
  • They can’t regulate
  • They can’t learn
It’s similar to how PTSD works in humans.

Until the nervous system feels safe again, progress stays out of reach.

WHAT’S ACTUALLY HAPPENING INSIDE THE BODY

When dogs are first rescued, many show fear and anxiety - even if they didn’t before.

Shelter environments can be overwhelming and traumatic. Noise, confinement, unpredictability, and lack of control take a real toll — along with exposure to unfamiliar, sometimes scary humans and dogs.

When these dogs come home, they often haven’t had time to recover yet.

But instead of rest, they’re immediately introduced to:
  • Busy neighborhoods
  • Breweries and cafes
  • New people and dogs
  • Constant exposure
It’s like dropping someone who needs rest into Disneyland.

Some dogs don’t need more stimulation.
They need a long, quiet recovery period.

And when they are given space, we often see a completely different dog emerge over time.


WHY NEWLY ADOPTED DOGS OFTEN STRUGGLE AT FIRST

For families bringing home a new rescue dog, Jill created the New Rescue Parent Playbook to help dogs decompress, settle, and recover before training begins.

Many families worry that if they don’t expose their dog right away, they’re doing something wrong.

In reality, overexposure too early is often what creates the struggle.

Fearful and anxious dogs need:
  • time to decompress
  • predictability
  • environments they can handle
  • support before expectations
Once recovery begins, learning becomes possible again.

WHY SLOWING DOWN ISN’T FALLING BEHIND

Many families come in feeling shaken and unsure after repeated stressful moments.

That lack of confidence - not “doing something wrong” - often shows up as tighter handling and more stress on both ends of the leash.

I never believe fear or anxiety is caused by a person’s emotions.

What I see instead are dogs and humans stuck in stressful situations without enough support - and that’s something we can change together.

Supporting Both Ends of the Leash

Book a ConsultStart with the Playbook

Fearful dogs don’t need more pressure.
They need someone who understands what their nervous system is asking for.

You don't have to do this alone

Work with JIll
Starting often means:
  • Giving your dog permission to rest
  • reducing overwhelm
  • creating safety before expectations
  • choosing support that fits your dog's nervous system.

Whether your dog is newly adopted or has struggled for a long time, the goal is the same: 
helping them feel safe enough to engage with the world again.

You don’t need to diagnose your dog or know the perfect plan.

Where to Start If Your Dog Is FearFul or Anxious

Start by slowing down. Creating predictable routines, reducing stress, and choosing support that fits your dog’s nervous system lays the foundation for everything else.

Where should we start if everything feels overwhelming?

Every dog is different. Progress depends on history, environment, genetics, and consistency. What matters most is moving at your dog’s pace—not following a fixed timeline.

How long does it take for fearful dogs to improve?

Not always. Too much exposure too soon can overwhelm a dog’s nervous system and slow progress. The goal isn’t avoidance, it’s helping your dog feel safe enough to engage again.

Is exposure the best way to help a fearful dog?

Some dogs improve with time and the right environment, but many need intentional support to fully recover. Without addressing the underlying stress, fear often resurfaces in new ways.

Will my dog grow out of fear and anxiety on their own?

Training is important, but only when a dog feels safe enough to learn. For fearful or anxious dogs, reducing stress and supporting emotional regulation often comes before skill-building.

Does my dog need training or something else first?

Many fearful and anxious dogs don’t show obvious reactions like barking or lunging. Instead, they may appear distracted, shut down, restless, or unable to settle. Overwhelm and fear often look quiet, but they’re still very real.

Is my dog fearful or just overwhelmed?

Frequently Asked Questions