Quick Answer: Fear is a response to a specific, present trigger — the dog sees the vet, the thunder is happening, the stranger is there. Anxiety is anticipatory — distress about something that might happen, often without a specific present trigger. A dog who barks and trembles at a loud noise is showing fear. A dog who paces and can't settle when you put on your coat — before you've even left — is showing anxiety. Both are genuine and both respond to appropriate intervention.
Fear — Characteristics
- Specific trigger present
- Resolves when trigger is removed
- Body language: freeze, flight, fight, or fawn
- Treatment: desensitization, counter-conditioning
Anxiety — Characteristics
- Anticipatory — trigger may not be present
- Persistent even without the feared thing happening
- Often generalized across multiple situations
- Treatment: routine, enrichment, departure protocol, sometimes medication
Enrichment for Both
Frozen lick mats and calming beds support both fear and anxiety. See the Comfort & Anxiety collection.
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