The first week of May is Dog Anxiety Awareness Week, and at Hounds Town USA, we take recognizing that seriously. We know that seeing your pet experience stress is never fun, and we always want to provide strategies to help. When your dog joins our pack, they’re joining a community that cares about their whole well-being—and has the tools to make them more confident.
Curious why your dog is anxious? Here are some reasons why your pup might be stressed, plus some Townie-approved strategies to ease their anxiety.
Why Do Dogs Get Anxious?
When dogs are away from the people or environments that make them feel safe, they can experience separation anxiety. Dogs are instinctively social animals, and when they spend too much time alone, their disposition will change. Chewing furniture, barking excessively, pacing, or even having accidents inside the house can all be signs that your dog is struggling to cope with a lack of social time, whether with humans or other dogs.
This Dog Anxiety Awareness Week, it’s important to recognize another source of canine anxiety: boredom. When your active pup doesn’t get enough opportunities to engage with the world around them, they can start to feel restless and uneasy. Without regular outlets to burn energy or challenge their minds, anxious behavior can increase over time. This is especially true for puppies who have tons of energy. Regular activity and play are essential to your dog’s emotional well-being.
Finally, a lack of proper socialization can also make dogs more prone to anxiety, especially in new situations. Dogs that have never experienced doggy daycare may feel uncertain or overwhelmed in unfamiliar environments at first. When dogs are socialized early and often, they’re more confident, adaptable, and calm.
How Hounds Town Can Help
At Hounds Town, we honor Dog Anxiety Awareness Week by providing a helpful solution. Our doggy daycare model is designed to meet dogs’ natural needs for structure, socialization, and stimulation—helping reduce stress and build confidence over time. Here are a few ways we support anxious pups:
Structured Pack Play
We group dogs based on size, temperament, and play style, creating a natural pack environment that encourages positive social behavior. Being part of a group helps anxious dogs feel safe and supported.
Daily Physical and Mental Stimulation
At our all-day daycare, dogs are actively engaged in play and socialization. That exercise and enrichment helps release pent-up energy, reducing anxiety and preventing boredom-related stress.
Judgment-Free Zone
We don’t turn dogs away based on breed, personality quirks or disabilities. Our team meets every dog where they are, working with pet parents to create a positive, individualized experience for even the most nervous guests.
Be Patient with the Process
Even with the right support, reducing your dog’s anxiety won’t happen overnight. Dogs need time to build trust, gain confidence, and adjust to new environments or routines. It’s important to approach their stress with empathy and patience—especially if progress feels slow. Above all, never punish your dog for showing signs of anxiety. Instead, celebrate the small wins and stay consistent with positive routines like doggy daycare.
At Hounds Town, we’ve worked with countless pups who started off timid, nervous, or overwhelmed. Over time, many of those same dogs transformed into confident members of the pack—but it only happened because their pet parents gave them the grace to grow. If you’re ready to help your dog face their anxiety once and for all this Dog Anxiety Awareness Week, send your pup to your local Hounds Town today.