Emotional Health
Backed by Dr. Lily Chen, Ali Sutch & 1 others...
INTRODUCTION
Emotional health is much bigger than the behaviors we see on the outside. It's your dog's inner experience: how safe they feel in their body, how at ease they are in their environment, and how well-resourced their nervous system is to meet whatever the day brings. Musculoskeletal pain, gut imbalance, skin inflammation, nutrient gaps, and hormonal shifts don't just affect your dog physically. They shape how the world feels to them. A dog with a quietly aching hip experiences a noisy hallway differently than a comfortable dog does. A dog with a dysregulated gut microbiome processes a stranger at the door with a different nervous system than a dog whose gut is calm.
The science on this has become much clearer in the last decade. MRI research from Dr. Gregory Berns's lab has shown that dogs' brains light up in ways similar to ours when they encounter familiar people, food, and emotionally meaningful stimuli. A 2019 study published in Scientific Reports found that dogs and their owners synchronize cortisol (the body's main stress hormone) over the long term. And a landmark 2020 review in Animals found that up to 80% of problem behaviors from aggression to housetraining regression to separation anxiety may involve underlying pain or discomfort.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Behavior is communication. When your dog suddenly seems anxious, reactive, withdrawn, or "off," they're telling you something about their internal state.
| Behavior | Observed? | How Often? | How Severe? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggression, such as lunging, barking, growling, snapping, or biting | check_box_outline_blank | arrow_drop_down | arrow_drop_down |
| Handling sensitivity & aversion to touch or gear | check_box_outline_blank | arrow_drop_down | arrow_drop_down |
| Pulling on leash | check_box_outline_blank | arrow_drop_down | arrow_drop_down |
| Stopping, stalling, or refusing to go on walks | check_box_outline_blank | arrow_drop_down | arrow_drop_down |
| “Picky” eating | check_box_outline_blank | arrow_drop_down | arrow_drop_down |
| Sound sensitivity or noise phobias | check_box_outline_blank | arrow_drop_down | arrow_drop_down |
| Restlessness or struggling to settle down | check_box_outline_blank | arrow_drop_down | arrow_drop_down |
| Resource guarding | check_box_outline_blank | arrow_drop_down | arrow_drop_down |
| Destructive chewing | check_box_outline_blank | arrow_drop_down | arrow_drop_down |
| Overarousal, such as jumping, mouthing, and leash biting | check_box_outline_blank | arrow_drop_down | arrow_drop_down |
| Distress while riding in the car | check_box_outline_blank | arrow_drop_down | arrow_drop_down |
| "Grumpy" when disturbed from rest | check_box_outline_blank | arrow_drop_down | arrow_drop_down |
| Persistent scavenging | check_box_outline_blank | arrow_drop_down | arrow_drop_down |
PREVENTION & EARLY DETECTION
We cannot talk about a dog's behavior without talking about their health and addressing the root causes. Behavior provides data about your dog's physical and emotional state. The Humane Hierarchy of Behavior Change is a framework for changing animal behavior as ethically as possible. It always begins with assessing and addressing health, nutrition, and physical settings first.
An experienced behavior professional should know to evaluate your dog for signs of pain or discomfort before implementing a training plan. It is critical that signs of pain aren't punished. Positive reinforcement based training is widely accepted as the most ethical and effective method of training. When up to 80% of problem behaviors involve underlying pain or discomfort, this becomes even more important.
The next step in The Humane Hierarchy of Behavior Change is what is known as antecedent arrangement. Antecedents are the things that come before a target behavior. They “set the scene” for particular behaviors to occur. For example, if you have a dog who barks when people pass by your window, think of all the potential antecedents. Your dog’s internal state, such as their health and nutrition, will play an undeniable role in how they perceive the world around them.
Why It Matters:
Pain is a subjective experience that only the individual can understand. Dogs rarely show pain through obvious limping or crying. Instead, pain appears as subtle weight shifts, compensatory movements, and inefficient gaiting. Even if your veterinarian says your dog is healthy or you pursue diagnostics that come back normal, your dog may still be experiencing discomfort. Behavior should be considered a valid data point when determining what is going on for your dog, even in the absence of validation from X-rays and other tests. Properly advocating for your dog means honoring their experience and listening to what they are telling you.
What You Can Do:
- Watch how your dog holds and moves their body during different activities:
- If the hind end is weak, dogs shift weight forward and overwork the front legs.
- If sitting squarely hurts, they round the spine to keep back legs straight.
- If trotting is painful, they switch to a pacing gait.
- Trust your instincts. If something seems off, stay curious and continue investigating further.
- Work with professionals trained in canine movement.
- Veterinarians and veterinary technologists with the appropriate training may have the credentials: “CCRP”, “CCRT”, “DACVSMR”, “CCRV”, “CCAT”, “CVMRT”, “IRPM”, “CERPV”, “ASTR” and “VTS” for technicians.
- Dynamic Dog Professional (DDP), Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer (CPCFT), or Certified Canine Fitness Trainer (CCFT) perform gait and posture analysis and help present cases to veterinarians.
Why It Matters:
Behavior can never be separated from the environment in which it occurs. The presence or absence of distractions and other stimuli in your dog's immediate surroundings will change their behavior. When you are on a mission to reduce your dog's stress, a great place to start is to examine their environment: Where does your dog spend most of their time? What changes can you make to reduce stress there and create a safe, calm space?
Slippery flooring presents a unique challenge for many dogs, especially those with musculoskeletal pain, long nails, or furry paws. Slipping can cause injury, even small injuries that don't seem noticeable but accumulate over time. Dogs may avoid certain areas with slippery flooring, reducing their ability to safely navigate their space and increasing their stress levels.
Barking at the window is a normal dog behavior, but rehearsing it is stressful and often stems from fear. Every time your dog barks at a passing person or dog and they walk away, your dog learns that barking works. That rehearsal reinforces the behavior and keeps your dog in a state of repeated arousal throughout the day. Reducing access to these triggers gives your dog's nervous system a chance to reset.
What You Can Do:
- Add non-slip flooring such as carpet, rugs, grip tape, or yoga mats, particularly in areas where your dog will be moving quickly and jumping on or off furniture.
- Use sound masking to reduce the intensity of noises that might trigger your dog. A white noise machine placed near your front door or a window that people tend to walk by can make a meaningful difference.
- Experiment with rearranging furniture if your dog commonly sits somewhere just to look out and bark.
- Consider window film or privacy film, which allows light to come in but blocks other visual stimuli.
Why It Matters:
A healthy adult dog should be sleeping between 10-16 hours per day. While napping is a lighter sleep than deep REM sleep overnight, we want to avoid our dogs being on high alert and jumping awake at the slightest disturbance. Some dogs will forgo sleep if the conditions aren't just right. Offering your dog plenty of choices so they can regulate themselves is crucial to ensuring they get the rest they need.
What You Can Do:
- Pay attention to what your dog prefers. Do they seek out solitude or prefer being near you? Do they seem to like soft, squishy beds with high bolsters, or sprawling out on cool tile floors? Do they sleep better in a sunbeam or the darkness of a covered crate?
- If you think your dog isn't getting enough rest, play around with some changes and see if nap time becomes more appealing.
Why It Matters:
Your dog is constantly communicating through body language. Knowing what behaviors and cues may indicate stress is the key to unlocking the best relationship with your dog. Misinterpreting body language, such as assuming a wagging tail means happiness or that avoidant body language means a dog is comfortable, can lead to missing critical stress signals early. The earlier you recognize these signals, the more opportunity you have to advocate for your dog.
What You Can Do:
- Look for tension: A body part being held tight, rigid, or stiff may indicate stress, discomfort, or a desire to avoid interaction.
- Notice direction: A dog aligned toward a subject may indicate intention to interact, or discomfort with exposing vulnerability.
- Honor avoidance: If your dog is trying to avoid someone and go about their own business, respect that choice. If that dog or person continues to approach them, it would be fair and logical for their behavior to shift to a more active display of "get away from me."
- Use the ESTEEM framework to work through your dog's body language one piece at a time.
BODY LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT
Examine your dog’s body language using Ali Sutch’s mini ESTEEM framework.
| Questions | Check once examined |
|---|---|
| Is it hot or cold outside? | check_box_outline_blank |
| What time of day is it? | check_box_outline_blank |
| What gear is your dog wearing? | check_box_outline_blank |
| What do you notice in their environment? | check_box_outline_blank |
THE ESTEEM FRAMEWORK
Nothing exists in a vacuum. Pay attention to your dog’s surroundings and think about how that may be impacting them.
Consider the alignment, or lack of it, towards a subject: if your dog’s spine is gently curving or rigidly straight or if their body weight seems shifted in either direction.
Piloerection (hackles) is a physiological response to arousal much like goose bumps. Your dog’s hair will raise anywhere from their shoulder blades down to their tail. This can be a response to stress or overloading amounts of excitement.
A wagging tail does not necessarily indicate a happy dog. The height, speed, and rigidity of the wag can tell you much more.
Generally, a higher wag indicates more arousal, speed indicates readiness for contact, and rigidity can be thought of as an extension of the spine.
“Whale eyes” can be a sign of stress as your dog is keeping watch on a subject without making direct eye contact.
Pupil dilation can indicate arousal (pinpoint or blown out pupils), but should be considered within the context of surrounding light.
Check for folds of tense skin between your dog’s ears. Depending on what kind of ears your dog has, you may notice that they are pinned against the head, or loosely flopping around.
The commissure is the corner of the mouth where the top and bottom lips meet. A commissure that is pulled back (also known as a V-shape) is a sign of tension and stress, where one that is pushed forward (C-shape) communicates to the other party to back off. Dogs don’t smile. If you see something that looks like a pulled back mouth with exposed teeth, you’re likely seeing a grimace or submissive grin, which can indicate stress and emotional conflict.
Even the tongue can tell us a lot. It is a muscle that can be tensed and flexed, as well as a temperature regulation device. Dogs may pant and drool when stressed, physically or emotionally. When the tongue is tense, you can often see more of the dog's teeth, as opposed to a loosely lolling tongue.
DIET
The relationship between nutrition and emotional wellbeing in dogs is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of veterinary research, and one of the most surprising to many pet parents. The idea that what your dog eats could influence how anxious, reactive, or emotionally balanced they are seems far-fetched until you understand the biology behind it. The gut is not just a digestive organ. It is one of the most complex neurological structures in the body, in constant bidirectional communication with the brain via the vagus nerve, the immune system, and the metabolic activity of the gut microbiome. What lives in your dog’s gut, and what you feed it, has measurable effects on neurotransmitter production, stress response, and behavior.
The Gut–Brain Axis: A Two-Way Conversation
The enteric nervous system, the network of neurons embedded in the gastrointestinal tract, contains more nerve cells than the spinal cord and is sometimes called the “second brain.” It communicates continuously with the central nervous system. This communication runs in both directions: the brain influences gut function (as anyone who has experienced nausea from anxiety knows), but the gut also influences brain function, mood, and behavior in ways that are only now being fully appreciated.
The most striking example of this is serotonin. Approximately 90% of the body’s serotonin, the neurotransmitter most associated with mood, anxiety regulation, and emotional stability, is not produced in the brain. It is produced in the gut, primarily by enterochromaffin cells in the intestinal lining, in direct response to signals from gut bacteria. Tryptophan, an essential amino acid found in animal proteins, is the sole dietary precursor to serotonin. If tryptophan is insufficient, or if gut bacteria are not producing the enzymes needed to convert it efficiently, serotonin production is compromised throughout the body.
What the Microbiome Has to Do With Behavior
Research published in peer-reviewed veterinary journals has found specific microbiome patterns associated with behavioral disorders in dogs. Aggressive dogs have been found to have significantly lower serum serotonin concentrations than non-aggressive dogs. Anxious and reactive dogs show a depletion of specific bacterial species, including Blautia and Lactobacillus, that play key roles in tryptophan metabolism and serotonin synthesis. These findings suggest a biological mechanism by which disrupted gut microbiome composition may contribute to emotional dysregulation.
A clinical trial examined the effects of a nutraceutical supplement combining prebiotics, probiotics, 5-hydroxytryptophan (a direct serotonin precursor), and L-theanine (a substance found in green tea) in anxious dogs and found a significant reduction in anxiety-like behaviors compared to placebo. This is one of the first rigorously designed studies to demonstrate a nutritional intervention producing measurable behavioral outcomes in dogs.
Nutrition is not a replacement
Nutrition is not a replacement for behavioral training, environmental management, or medication where needed. But for dogs with anxiety, reactivity, or stress-related behaviors, addressing gut health and nutritional adequacy is a legitimate and evidence-informed part of a comprehensive approach.
Key Nutritional Factors for Emotional Wellbeing
A dog fed a high-quality, diverse diet that supports a healthy microbiome is in a better neurochemical position than one fed a nutritionally marginal or highly processed diet.
Tryptophan:
The precursor to serotonin. Found in animal muscle meat, eggs, turkey, and fish. A diet adequate in high-quality animal protein provides the tryptophan substrate the gut–brain axis requires.
Omega-3 EPA and DHA:
Support neural membrane integrity, reduce neuroinflammation, and modulate the HPA (stress) axis. Several studies have found associations between omega-3 status and reduced anxiety and aggression in both humans and animals.
B vitamins:
B6 (pyridoxine) is a cofactor in necessary for the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin. B12, folate, and other B vitamins support neurotransmitter synthesis and nervous system function broadly.
Fermentable fiber and microbiome diversity:
Supporting a diverse, balanced gut microbiome through adequate fiber and targeted probiotic support where indicated is the most upstream nutritional intervention for the gut–brain axis.
Avoiding dietary stress:
Frequent abrupt diet changes, poor-quality ingredients, low dietary fiber, and unbalanced diets have all been associated with gut dysbiosis, which has downstream behavioral consequences.
MANAGEMENT
Extended periods of long-term, chronic stress can negatively impact our brains and bodies. It can weaken our immune system, impair cognition, and increase our chances of being diagnosed with chronic diseases. The same is true for your dog. Some dogs may have a genetic predisposition towards anxiety or inadequate early socialization that leaves them with a baseline of constant stress. A board-certified veterinary behaviorist can be a great addition to your dog’s care team, as they understand the intersections between behavior and the physical body. You may find that your dog benefits from behavioral medications to reduce their stress levels. This can help them be more receptive to learning as their brain is no longer in fight or flight mode.
One of the best outlets for your dog’s stress is simply to let them be a dog. Dogs need to engage in species-typical behaviors. Your dog comes pre-installed with behaviors that they have an inherent need to do. Many of these behaviors are thought of as nuisance behaviors in certain contexts, but they are part of the predatory modal action pattern. Multi-certified dog behavior professional, Ali Sutch, explains it this way: “Trying to extinguish these behaviors is like playing a game of whack-a-mole. That need isn’t going anywhere and will just pop up somewhere else.” Enrichment is the framework that says: dogs need to do it, so let’s give them healthy and safe outlets. There are many ways to enrich your dog’s life by including these activities safely.
Why It Matters:
If your dog loves to dig in your landscaping, try giving them a dig pit. Paired with managing their access to areas where you don’t want them to dig, this can be a harmonious solution that doesn’t feel like pushing a boulder up a hill.
What You Can Do:
- Use a plastic kiddie pool filled with substrate and encourage them to dig to their heart’s content.
- Try burying special chews or toys to make it even more exciting.
Why It Matters:
Is your dog a pro counter surfer? Maybe your dog is a connoisseur of street snacks, picking up bits of food left on the sidewalk? Dogs love to scavenge. Subsisting on human food scraps is part of our coevolution. Nosework is a fantastic activity that will give you and your dog all sorts of enrichment. It doesn’t have to be anything formal.
What You Can Do:
- Hide some treats while your dog waits in another room, then let them go search. This allows them to sniff, track scents, and get the reward of a tasty snack that they foraged all on their own.
Why It Matters:
Lick mats, puzzle bowls, and food dispensing balls are great ways to add some licking, chewing, and variety to your dog’s life. Be careful not to rely on them as the sole provider of enrichment. The meal may look interesting to us, but it does not mean it’s necessarily providing benefits to your dog. Avoid making it too challenging or frustrating to obtain a meal. Length of time to consume something isn’t a measure of enrichment either.
What You Can Do:
- Give your dog a long-lasting chew to promote relaxation.
- Offer a filled Kong or other food toy to eat their meal out of.
- Observe your dog’s behavior before, during, and after you’ve given them an activity. Does it seem like there was any measurable benefit? Was a need met?
Why It Matters:
You may notice that your dog isn’t engaging in enough species-typical behaviors. They may be showing stressed body language, such as pacing and barking at every sound. Stressed pups often benefit from ripping and shredding things. This is part of their foraging nature, or it may even be part of the predatory sequence. Give your dog things to shred safely such as cardboard with treats tucked inside.
What You Can Do:
- Create a shreddable puzzle by putting treats into crumpled paper, cardboard boxes, paper towel tubes, or egg cartons, and letting your dog smash their way inside.
- Monitor your dog to ensure they are only ingesting the edible portion.
Why It Matters:
Instead of a march down the block on a 6-ft leash, try seeing it through your dog’s perspective. Let them sniff. Let them move their body freely. Let them meander and follow scents without worrying about any sort of straight line.
What You Can Do:
- Choose comfortable equipment like a well-fitted harness and long leash so your dog can move freely while exploring.
- Let your dog sniff as much as they want. Follow scent trails, pee on stuff, and feel different textures under their paws.
Why It Matters:
Training games provides your dog with valuable social time with you. Clicker training, or marker training with a verbal “yes”, that does not include any corrections is best practice. When we focus on reinforcing behaviors we want to see more of, instead of trying to eliminate behaviors we don’t like, we give our dogs more tools to navigate the world successfully. When your dog has more ‘buttons’ to press to make good things happen, we create optimism, creativity, and empowerment. The act of learning a new skill itself can be an enriching experience for both parties.
What You Can Do:
- Try trick training. Learning skills through positive reinforcement builds communication between you and your dog in ways you might not expect.
arrow_rightResources
- Kikopup’s Youtube channel and library of trick tutorials
- Sit Stay Squat’s Find 4 Feet course as an intro to canine fitness training
- Tromplo’s Introduction to Nosework
- The Moving Canine’s Movement Puzzles
arrow_rightReferences
Mills, D. S., et al. (2020). Pain and problem behavior in cats and dogs. Animals, 10(2), 318. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020318
Friedman. (2015). Hierarchy of behavior change procedures. Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. https://www.ccpdt.org/about-us/ethics-and-professional-conduct/hierarchy-of-behavior-change-procedures/
Schoth, D. E., & Liossi, C. (2016). A systematic review of experimental paradigms for exploring biased interpretation of ambiguous information with relevance to pain-related anxiety. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 10, 165. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2016-17144-001
Bódizs, R., Kis, A., Gácsi, M., & Topál, J. (2020). Sleep in the dog: Comparative, behavioral and translational relevance. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 33, 126–133. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352154619301378
Kirchoff, N. S., Udell, M. A. R., & Sharpton, T. J. (2024). The relationship between canine behavioral disorders and gut microbiome and future therapeutic perspectives. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11, Article PMC11273744. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11273744/
Clarke, G., et al. (2014). Serotonin, tryptophan metabolism and the brain-gut-microbiome axis. Behavioural Brain Research, 277, 32–48.
Yano, J.M., et al. (2020). Tryptophan metabolism: A link between the gut microbiota and brain. PMC, 7231603. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7231603/
Creech, R. (2014). The link between gut microbiome and behavior in dogs. dvm360. https://www.dvm360.com/view/the-link-between-gut-microbiome-and-behavior-in-dogs
American Psychological Association. (2024). Stress effects on the body. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. (2025, November). Standards of practice. https://iaabc.org/en/standards-of-practice