Emotional Balance

Emotional Balance: Dogs Have Struggles Too

World Mental Health Day Reflection

World Mental Health Day is a reminder to pause and think about the importance of emotional well-being. While the spotlight often shines on people, it’s equally important to recognize that our dogs, too, can struggle emotionally.

Research confirms what many dog lovers already know: dogs can experience anxiety, depression, and even trauma. Their emotional range may not be as wide as ours, but their struggles are very real. And if you’ve lived with a dog who suffers from anxiety, you’ve seen firsthand how deeply it affects them.
What Emotional Struggles Look Like in Dogs

Dogs experiencing fear or anxiety often show one of the five “F” responses:

Fight – lunging, barking, or growling to keep danger away.
Flight – retreating or fleeing to find safety.
Freeze – shutting down or “checking out” in overwhelming moments.
Fawn – appeasing behaviors like rolling over or excessive licking.
Fidget – restless movements, pacing, or repetitive actions.

These struggles may come from trauma, genetics, or unknown past experiences. Unfortunately, many anxious dogs rarely feel truly safe. They spend large parts of their day in heightened states of stress, constantly scanning or reacting, trying to regain a sense of calm. This is exhausting for the dog and heartbreaking for the humans who love them.

It Takes a Village: Supporting Dogs with Anxiety or Trauma

Helping a dog through fear, anxiety, or trauma isn’t something most people can (or should) do alone. Just like raising children, it often “takes a village.” A supportive team might include:

• Skilled trainers or behavior consultants
• Veterinarians or veterinary behaviorists
• Family and friends who understand the dog’s needs
• Neighbors and community members who interact with the dog
• Other dog owners who have “been there, done that”

I know this personally. I started the Helping Fearful Dogs Feel Safe program because I’ve lived with a dog struggling with anxiety. I’ve poured countless hours into learning how to support both the dog and the owner, because both are carrying heavy loads.

Trauma-Informed Training at Yooper Paws

This year, I took that commitment a step further and became a Certified Trauma-Informed Dog Practitioner through @pawsupdogs.

This training deepened my understanding of how trauma impacts dogs, emotionally, behaviorally, and even physically and how it also shapes the human side of the leash. Trauma affects connection, trust, and communication, which means we must approach both the dog and the human client with compassion, patience, and individualized strategies.

At Yooper Paws Training Center, this certification means:

• More thoughtful, gentle, and ethical support for every dog.
• Practical tools for helping anxious, fearful, or reactive dogs feel safe.
• A space where owners never feel judged for their dog’s struggles.
• Recognition that the human’s stress matters, too, and that healing is a team process.

Because your dog isn’t broken, and you aren’t alone. Together, we grow. 

The CAKES Approach

A core piece of my work is my CAKES framework, which guides both dogs and their people toward balance: Compassion, Awareness, Kindness, Empathy, Support.

CAKES ensures training isn’t just about behaviors. The dog centered approach to training is about meeting emotional needs, fostering safety, and building resilience.

The Big Picture: Finding Your Balance

Here’s the truth about balance: it looks different for everyone.

A stay-at-home parent may have different resources than someone working 10-hour shifts.

A high-energy herding dog has vastly different needs than a senior rescue.

Your goals may not match your neighbor’s and that’s okay.

This World Mental Health Day, I invite you to reflect on balance in your own life with time, training, play, food, exercise, emotions, and boundaries.

Ask yourself:

1. What matters most to me and my dog?
2. Where do I feel most out of balance?
3. What small steps could I take toward more harmony?

Because balance isn’t about what works for me or anyone else. It’s about what works for you and your dog. And that bond, built on compassion and understanding, is what true balance is really about.