15 Signs Your Dog Is Scared of You

Many dog owners sometimes worry that their dogs are afraid of them, especially when they seem nervous or shy away from close contact. As pet owners, it’s vital to recognize these signs of fear because they indicate when our dogs aren’t feeling safe. So, here are 15 signs your dog is scared of you!

Running Away When You Get Close

A big sign that your dog might be scared of you is if they bolt when you get close. It could be fear of you or something else nearby. Sometimes, dogs take off because they sense something off about being near you—like worrying about getting in trouble or feeling uneasy with their collar. So, it’s super important not to scare your pups by punishing them.

Peeing When You Approach

Dogs that feel scared might also show submissive behaviors—like peeing when you get close or touch them. It’s their way of saying, “I’m not a threat.” If your furry buddy does this, try not to scold or praise them because it can confuse them. Instead, go for some yummy treats to send them positive vibes instead of the usual pat on the back.

Fast Breathing and Whining

When your dog is relaxed, you’ll notice steady panting. But if you see them panting rapidly, taking breaks, and closing their mouths because of changes around them, that’s a sign they might be feeling scared. Watch for moments when they shut their mouths, let out a few whines, and then return to the fast panting—it’s their way of showing they’re uneasy.

Tucking Their Tail and Wagging Weirdly

When your dog is relaxed, you’ll notice steady panting. But if you see them panting quickly, taking breaks, and closing their mouths due to changes around them, that’s a sign they might be feeling anxious. Keep an eye out for moments when they shut their mouth, let out a few whines, and then go back to the fast panting—it’s their way of showing discomfort.

Cowering or Shrinking Away

When dogs are scared, they might lower their heads or bodies, cower, or pull back when you approach. It’s their way of trying to look smaller and less intimidating. Just because a dog is cowering doesn’t always mean they’ve been abused in the past—it could be that they’re naturally more anxious, didn’t get much socialization as puppies, or figured out that cowering helps them feel safer.

Freezing Up or Trying to Escape

A super scared dog might just freeze up and wait for whatever’s freaking it out to pass. Or it could be running around in a panic, trying to get away from whatever’s scaring it (maybe that’s you!). If a dog is this terrified, it might end up peeing or pooping if the stress keeps going or if it gets too close to the person or animal, causing the fear.

Puffed-Up Fur or Shedding Like Crazy

Just like when we get goosebumps, a scared dog might have raised fur along its shoulders, back, or near its tail. Those raised hairs are called “hackles,” and they don’t always mean the dog is scared or mad. Sometimes, it just means they’re feeling pumped or stressed. But if your furry pal keeps feeling scared or stressed out, you might notice them shedding way more than normal.

Doing Weird Things to Distract Themselves

When dogs get scared, they might do some pretty interesting stuff to cope—like licking their paws way more or scratching themselves a lot. Have you ever noticed your pup suddenly super into sniffing random dirt or pretending they don’t see you? That could be their way of dealing with fear without causing a fuss.

Dilated Pupils

A dog that’s fearful may widen its eyes so that they appear rounder than normal. A relaxed dog often squints—making the eyes look almond-shaped with hardly any whites showing at all. If you can notice lots of white around a dog’s eyes, the pup may be afraid of you or even tense. It’s best to avoid looking the dog directly in the eyes.

Keeping Their Mouth Tightly Shut

A calm dog typically has its mouth slightly ajar and might be panting. The corners of its mouth may curve upward a bit. If a dog keeps its mouth shut with the lips drawn back—it could be feeling scared of you or even anxious. You might also see frequent yawning and lip licking alongside this closed-mouth posture.

Ears Drooping or Pulling Back

If a dog has its ears up and suddenly puts them down or back, it’s a sign it’s feeling scared. It’s a little trickier to tell with floppy-eared dogs—but they also change where their ears are pointing when they’re nervous or super excited. Just check out the base of a floppy-eared dog’s ears to see if they’re leaning forward or pulled back.

Avoiding Eye Contact

Speaking of eyes, dogs that are scared may avoid making eye contact with people. This often happens alongside other signs, like crouching or trying to move away from whatever they’re afraid of. If a dog is avoiding your gaze, it may be scared of you. Avoid approaching your pup if you’re unsure he is fearful of you.

Turning Down Food

If your dog suddenly turns down food but was hungry earlier and is backing away from you or the food, it’s likely feeling uneasy about something. See what’s causing the fear (could be you), and if this is a common stress trigger, you can start helping your dog cope by calmly talking to it and offering treats whenever that trigger comes up.

Acting Stiff or Shaky

When a dog is super happy and playful, it’ll bounce around with a ton of energy, wiggling and wagging all over the place, taking little breaks in between. But if you see a dog acting stiff, moving slowly, or trying to back away from what’s happening—it’s a sign it needs some space. It might also shake, hunch down low to the ground, or even flop over onto its side or back.

Lunging, Barking, or Growling 

When a dog feels threatened, some just take off and hide, going into “flight mode.” But others switch to “fight mode” and get a bit feisty. Instead of backing down—they charge forward, bark loud, and might even flash their teeth and growl. They could also puff up their fur, perk up their ears, raise their tail high, and give you that tough stare.