84% of Dogs Have Fear and Anxiety. Research Says a Yard Built for Sniffing, Not Size, May Help Calm Them
A smellier yard could mean a calmer dog. What the latest dog anxiety research says every owner should know.
Fear and anxiety are far more common in dogs than most owners think. And the fix may have less to do with space or exercise, and more to do with something far simpler: giving your dog more chances to use its nose.
And, in many cases, building a dog-friendly backyard is the best place to start.
Research published in Veterinary Research Communications analyzed behavioral data from more than 43,000 dogs enrolled in the Dog Aging Project. The findings were striking. More than 84 percent of dogs showed at least mild signs of fear and anxiety in everyday situations, excluding learned fears tied to grooming activities like nail trimming and bathing.
The most common triggers? Fear of strange people, unfamiliar dogs and unfamiliar situations like unexpected noises or objects on the sidewalk.
Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a professor of behavior in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M, led the analysis. She told Campus Insights Media that dogs and anxiety often go hand in hand when dogs live relatively isolated lives.
“And that could be even in a city, a dog that stays in an apartment and uses a pee pad instead of going out for a walk,” Beaver said.
She also warned that untreated anxiety in dogs tends to escalate into phobias, which are far harder to address.
“Long-term anxiety is affecting dogs just as it affects people,” she said. “The world is a very scary place. Those dogs, just as people, need medications to help reduce that anxiety and return them to normal.”
But medication isn’t the only intervention worth exploring.
How scent work can help dog anxiety
A growing body of research suggests that scent training for dogs is one of the most effective and accessible forms of enrichment available.
A 2025 study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science surveyed 566 professional dog trainers worldwide. More than 90 percent agreed or strongly agreed that scent work is enjoyable for dogs, tires them out and builds confidence in shy dogs. More than half agreed it can reduce general fearfulness, destructive behavior, overexcitement and reactivity.
An earlier 2019 study in the same journal went further. It tested what happened when pet dogs practiced nosework every day for two weeks. The dogs who sniffed became measurably more optimistic. They were quicker to approach new and uncertain situations. Dogs who practiced heel walking instead showed no change.
“So providing opportunities for dogs to sniff more of the environment and put their nose to use may be the ultimate way to enrich their wellbeing, no matter their age, breed, or size,” wrote Jade Fountain, the lead author of the 2025 study, in an essay published on The Conversation.
Fountain outlines several practical ways to bring scent enrichment into your dog’s routine. These include scatter feeding across a yard or floor, snuffle mats and puzzle feeders, and sniff-based walks (sometimes called sniffaris) where your dog explores at its own pace without pressure from other dogs or people.
For owners with outdoor space, she also recommends a dog sensory garden. This is a dedicated area planted with dog-safe herbs, grasses and textured ground cover that gives your dog a rich and varied olfactory landscape to explore.
Even occasional “sniffaris” around the neighborhood can make a meaningful difference.
Dog anxiety is widespread. But treating it doesn’t always require a bigger yard or a more intense exercise routine. Sometimes the simplest thing you can do is let your dog stop and smell.
For more backyard ideas for dogs, check out this guide to building the perfect dog-friendly backyard.
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
