Sound sensitivity, fear of novel situations, and phobias like slippery surfaces or heights are prevalent behavioral issues in dogs. A comprehensive University of Helsinki study involving nearly 14,000 dogs reveals that these non-social fears are linked to living environment, lifestyle, and breed. Notably, dogs engaged in regular activities and training exhibited the lowest fear levels.
“Exercise positively impacts mood in both dogs and humans. As social animals, dogs thrive on shared activities with owners. Yet, anxious dogs often face avoidance of training due to stress, which can discourage owners from engaging them,” explains PhD student Emma Hakanen from the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Medicine.
The findings highlight that inadequate puppy socialization to new environments strongly correlates with fears of noises, unfamiliar surfaces like slippery floors or grated stairs, and novel situations. Conversely, living with other dogs mitigates non-social anxiety. New owners' dogs showed higher fear of fireworks and surfaces, with urban dogs more prone than rural ones.
“Prior research on social fears showed urban dogs as more anxious than rural ones—mirroring human mental health trends. How our environment shapes us and our canine companions is a compelling area for future study,” notes Professor Hannes Lohi from the University of Helsinki's Faculties of Veterinary Medicine and Medicine.
Consistent with prior studies, non-social fears were more prevalent in spayed females and small breeds. Fear of unfamiliar surfaces also tied to overall fearful temperaments.
The study identified stark breed differences: Cairn Terriers ranked highest in fearfulness, while Chinese Crested Dogs were least affected.
Variations existed across fears by breed. Welsh Corgi Pembrokes displayed high sound sensitivity but low surface fears, whereas Lappish Shepherds, Miniature Schnauzers, Chihuahuas, and Labrador Retrievers showed the opposite pattern.
“Breed differences affirm fear's heritability, underscoring breeding's role even sans full genetic insights. This equips owners with evidence-based strategies: early socialization and active lifestyles markedly curb both social and non-social anxieties,” Professor Lohi concludes.
