Tails Between Their Legs: Our Approach to Anxious Pets
If you've ever watched your dog pace at the door, hide under the bed the second a stranger arrives, or refuse to eat while you're away — you already know that pet anxiety is no joke. At Chasing Tails Pet Sitting, we work with anxious animals all the time, and over the years I've developed an approach that's rooted in patience, low pressure, and a whole lot of respect for what these pets are going through.
Here's the thing: there's no magic trick. But there is a method — and I want to walk you through exactly how we handle these sweet, stressed-out souls from the very first visit.
Recognizing Anxiety Signals
Before we can help an anxious pet, we have to know what we're looking at. Our team is trained to pick up on anxiety cues from the moment we walk through the door — because catching them early makes a huge difference.
Subtle signs include yawning, lip licking, whale eyes (that wide-eyed "please don't look at me" look), a tucked tail or stiff body, pacing, soft whining, or freezing low to the ground like they're trying to disappear.
Obvious signs are harder to miss: shaking, hiding, running away, teeth chattering, obsessive spinning, jumping and nipping, guarding, submissive urination, barking, or loud whining that doesn't quit.
Visit-specific indicators are the changes we notice between visits — loose stools, inconsistent eating, changes in bathroom habits, hoarding items, wet bedding (from constant licking), or increased water intake. These are all clues that a pet is struggling, even if they hold it together when we're there.
We never brush these signals off. They're communication, and we take them seriously.
Visiting Anxious Pets: Our Level-by-Level Approach
Not all anxious pets are the same, and we don't treat them like they are. We work in three levels, each with its own strategy.
Basic Anxiety
These pets might show some anxiety symptoms — lip licking, yawning, panting, a little barking — but they still function pretty normally. They'll usually accept a pet, come out to say hi, and carry on with their day. For these guys, our focus is on keeping things calm and consistent: no sudden movements, no rushing, and always letting them know what we're about to do before we do it.
If they're not eating, we've got tricks. Scattering kibble on the floor instead of using a bowl works surprisingly well. So does sitting nearby and just being calm while they figure us out, adding food toppers, or hand-feeding a few pieces to break the ice. Some pets skip a meal or two at first — totally normal. They almost always come around once they realize we're not a threat.
For loose stools or diarrhea (yes, anxiety does that), canned pumpkin is our go-to. A spoonful or two can work wonders, and we keep it up until things regulate.
During every visit, we get down to the pet's level whenever it's safe. And I do mean whenever it's safe — if you have a 90-pound lab who interprets "getting low" as an invitation to sit on my face, we adapt! But when we can, we sit on the floor, stay relaxed, and let the pet come to us. We never chase, crowd, or force interaction. If they want to sniff us and walk away, that's a win. That's trust being built, one visit at a time.
Severe Anxiety
These pets need a completely different game plan. They may bark throughout the entire visit, refuse to go outside, or bolt for cover the second we walk in. The world feels like a lot to them — and honestly, I get it.
For severely anxious pets, we approach entry carefully. Instead of walking straight in, I'll reach through the door and toss treats toward the wall or away from me, giving them something good to focus on before I'm even fully inside. Once in, we find the paths through the home that feel natural and comfortable for them — moving away from things that feel threatening, moving toward the good stuff (treats, their favorite spot, anything familiar).
In the backyard, I find a low-key spot away from the door, settle in, and wait. I let them come to me and sniff at ground level. No reaching over the head, no direct staring, no looming. If they want to stay glued to the back door and not go anywhere, we respect that. Some dogs venture out within a few minutes when the pressure is off. Others take a few visits. Both are okay.
We will never force a terrified dog outside. That's a hard line for us.
Playing calming music softly on our phone or the tv nearby can be really powerful too! YouTube has a variety of channels specific for dog anxiety music!
Entry Anxiety
Some pets aren't anxious in general — they just lose it when someone new enters their space. For these pets, we move slowly, avoid direct eye contact at first, and give them the first few minutes of every visit to just observe. No rushing to grab the leash, no immediate interaction, no big energy. Once they see that our arrival reliably means calm, treats, and nothing scary, the door-dread starts to fade.
The Big Picture
My biggest advice for pet parents of anxious animals: time, patience, and consistency are everything. These pets aren't being difficult. They're scared, and they're doing the absolute best they can. So are we — every single visit.
If your pet's anxiety seems to be getting worse rather than better, it's worth looping in your vet or a certified animal behaviorist. We’re always happy to share detailed observations from our visits to help give their care team a fuller picture of what's going on at home.
And if you ever feel frustrated by the process? I completely understand. But I promise — the first time a previously terrified dog trots over and plops down next to you like you've been friends forever? It makes every patient moment completely worth it.
Have questions about how Chasing Tails Pet Sitting handles your anxious pet? Reach out — I'd love to chat.
— Jessie
