Why Is My Dog Pacing And Restless? (10 Must-Know Reasons)
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Quick Answer
If your dog is pacing back and forth and seems to be restless, it’s important to understand why so you can address the issue and help her feel better as needed.
There could be several possible causes for your pup’s restlessness, some of which are quite straightforward, while others will require more attention.
For example, her pacing may be because of behavioral issues or environmental factors, or due to a medical condition that requires veterinary support.
Pacing can often be seen in older dogs too.
In this article, I’ll cover 10 of the most common reasons why your dog may be pacing and talk about what you can do to help.
#1. Anxiety or stress
If your dog is anxious or stressed about something, she may pace up and down as a way to self-soothe and release some of those pent-up negative emotions in an attempt to calm herself down.
Noise phobia
Noise phobias are very common in dogs. We’ve surely all read the stories about dogs who bolt during the New Year’s Eve fireworks or cower under the table in a thunderstorm.
Our recent rescue pup Lennox has a major noise phobia and will anxiously pace up and down if he hears loud noises like fireworks, thunder, or even loud rain.
He’ll even jump out of his skin (or should that be fur?) if you clatter the lid of the trash bin too loudly.
It’s difficult to help him in these situations as he usually can’t be distracted with a chew toy or treats.
However, if I put on some calming dog music, such as Relax My Dog or Through A Dog’s Ear, as background noise, that definitely helps him become less restless.
Stressful situations
There are many reasons your pup may feel stressed or anxious.
Maybe you’ve just adopted her and everything is new.
Maybe you have a house guest or a tradesperson making a lot of noise.
Maybe she can see the neighbor walking past with their big scary dog.
Or maybe she’s having trouble adjusting to a change in routine, such as going on vacation or moving to a new home.
Separation anxiety
Pacing is often seen in dogs with separation anxiety. This is very distressing for the dog affected because she may just not be able to cope when left alone.
She may pace up and down, going from window to door, frantically trying to see if her owner is coming back.
Sadly, separation anxiety is extremely common in dogs, with over 75% of dogs across the United States experiencing it to some degree (CertaPet, 2021).
If your dog is showing signs of separation anxiety, she’s genuinely scared and will, most likely, need expert help* to overcome her fear.
Abnormal repetitive behavior
An abnormal repetitive behavior (ARB) may be defined as a functionless behavior that serves no real purpose.
It’s something you’re unlikely to see in animals living in their natural environment, but may be seen in captive animals living in impoverished environments with little or no opportunity to engage in their natural behaviors.
Pacing can be an example of an ARB, along with rocking, repetitive swimming patterns, nail-biting, flipping, head swinging, and rhythmic screaming, according to animal behavior expert Lara Joseph.
“I have found that one common denominator for these behaviors is an unenriched environment that constricts the animal’s choice and limits his control,” says Joseph.
“Other factors could be isolation, flooding (the inability to escape feared objects or environments), consistent stress, discomfort, the inability to replace natural behaviors, and restriction of choice.”
While this is unlikely to be the case in the average pet dog, it’s worth a mention here because you may see an ARB such as pacing in a dog who spends his day alone in the yard or, even worse, outside on a chain.
#2. Boredom
Sometimes dogs will pace up and down out of pure boredom.
Maybe they haven’t had enough physical exercise or mental stimulation.
Perhaps they don’t get to go outside as often as they’d like, or maybe there’s nothing interesting going on in the house.
Dogs are social creatures and need interaction with humans and/or other dogs to remain happy and healthy.
If your dog isn’t getting enough opportunities to be social, pacing may be her way of expressing her frustration. Note, however, that not all dogs enjoy the company of other dogs, or may only like to be social with specific other dogs.
But just like people, dogs need to exercise their bodies and their minds to stay healthy and happy.
Mental workouts are equally as important as physical ones, and there are lots of ways to give your pup a brain workout.
For example, chew toys and puzzle toys that dispense treats are a great way to keep your dog’s mind active, and interactive games can help prevent boredom and reduce frustration.
You can also hide some treats around the house for your pup to sniff out and forage for, or give her a stuffed KONG or LickiMat to keep her busy.
It can also be a good idea to spend some time each day hanging out with your pup and bonding with her, something that many of us pet parents sometimes neglect to do.
You can use all these techniques for the stressed or anxious dog too, to help turn her frown upside down, so to speak!
Just like people, a healthy mind leads to a happy dog.
#3. Anticipation or excitement
Sometimes dogs will pace when they are anticipating something exciting, such as you coming home from work or during that neverending wait while you prepare their dinner.
For example, when my other half arrives home from anywhere (whether he’s been gone five minutes, five hours, or five days), our dogs will pace up and down out of pure excitement, rushing between the door to the window to catch a glimpse of the car (which, of course, they’ve heard from miles away) as it comes up the driveway.
Once the car has stopped, I take great pleasure in opening the door so they can all go rushing out and form the most enthusiastic welcome committee you’ll ever see.
If you’d rather not do that for safety reasons (e.g. you don’t have an enclosed front yard), wait till the new arrival comes inside the house and let your pup have her big welcome home moment.
#4. Frustration
Dogs may also pace when they’re feeling frustrated. Maybe your dog wants to be somewhere else, like the backyard perhaps, but can’t go there because she’s in the house looking out the window and can’t get access.
Our Romanian rescue dog Roman often paces up and down whining if he sees deer in the backyard. Of course, we don’t allow him to go out and bother them and so he channels his frustration at being denied access into pacing.
Fortunately, we can easily alleviate this by distracting him with a stuffed Kong, yummy treat, chewy, or favorite toy.
#5. Sights, scents, and sounds
This follows from #3 and #4. If your pup can see, hear, or smell something but can’t go out to see for herself and explore, she may pace up and down out of excitement or frustration.
As I mentioned, Roman will pace when he sees deer in our yard from the window or deck. But sometimes he can hear or even smell them without seeing them, and he’ll pace just the same.
In this context, his behavior is a sure sign that there are deer in the area – even though we can’t see them. And we certainly can’t see or smell them!
#6. In heat
When unspayed female dogs are in heat, they may be restless and pace up and down. The cycle usually lasts around three weeks and occurs approximately every six months.
So if your dog paces for no apparent reason, it’s possible she may be in heat. She may also want to go outside more, demonstrate a tendency to wander, and attract the attention of the male dogs in the area.
If your dog is in heat and you can’t keep her inside or away from intact males, you may want to consider getting her spayed.
I have spent a great deal of time in animal shelters and the number of unwanted dogs – through no fault of their own – is heartbreaking. And they don’t all get happy endings. Far from it, in fact.
If you can help by not adding to the problem, please do consider it.
#7. Needs a bathroom break
If your dog is pacing up and down and seems generally restless, she may simply need a bathroom break.
Regardless of how long it’s been since she last went outside, you may want to take her out again and see if that helps.
Lennox recently let me know he needed to go outside within an hour of his last outing by frantically pacing up and down. The poor guy had a sudden bout of diarrhea.
I’m so glad he let me know about it and that I paid attention, so I didn’t end up having to clear it up in the house!
You may also see your dog pacing up and down when she’s out in the yard or even on leash when out on her daily walk.
This can also be a sign that she’s just trying to find the perfect spot for her pee or poop break. (Other signs include circling, sniffing the ground, and pawing at the ground.)
#8. Pain
Sometimes dogs are restless and pace up and down because they’re in pain and just can’t settle.
In such cases, you may also see excessive panting while your dog is pacing.
She may vocalize in some way, specifically whining or howling.
Your pup may also show visible signs of discomfort, such as dilated pupils, stiff musculature, a tense facial expression, and an arched back or hunched position.
She may also try to hide away, show a loss of appetite, be resistant (or even aggressive) to touch, or become reluctant to move.
Our senior dog Bertie struggled with arthritis of the hips and shoulders in his twilight years. Although our veterinarian had him on a great joint pain management plan, sometimes he’d lose his footing (despite the yoga mats we had everywhere) and slip awkwardly, causing him to tense up his whole body and yelp in pain.
He’d often be restless and pace up and down a bit for a short while afterward, but I was able to alleviate his discomfort through Galen Myotherapy massage until his next dosage of pain medication.
“If your dog’s pacing is related to pain, you may be aware of an incident of trauma, they may be limping on one leg, or you may be able to see a wound or injury,” says Dr. Hannah Godfrey.
“Some causes of pain are not visible to us as owners, but your painful pooch might seem restless, unable to get comfortable, and maybe howling or vocalizing, or quieter than normal.”
If you suspect your dog is in pain, please consult with a veterinarian as soon as possible.
#9. Medical causes
Some common medical conditions that can cause pacing behavior in dogs include endocrine diseases like diabetes, Cushing’s disease, and hypothyroidism; painful conditions like arthritis or skin disorders; metabolic disorders, like liver disease or kidney disease; high blood pressure; medication side effects; loss of vision or hearing; brain tumors, or urinary tract infection (Reisen, 2021).
“If your dog’s stomach is bloated, or if they’re anxious, pacing, or repeatedly trying to vomit with no luck, they are likely suffering from Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (GDV) – also known as dog bloat,” adds Dr. Jason Nicholas (cited in Osmanski, 2020).
“Dogs affected by bloat will have a difficult time getting comfortable and lying down. Pacing and restlessness is often one of the most obvious and early signs, so pay attention to it.”
If your dog is showing any signs of pain or discomfort, or you suspect there’s more to her behavior than in #1-7, don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for any medical issue or health condition.
#10. Neurological causes
Elderly dogs can also develop dog dementia, officially known as canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD).
Veterinarians use the following criteria to help them diagnose CCD (Reisen, 2021):
- Disorientation
- Interaction with people and pets
- Sleep/wake cycles altered
- House soiling, learning, memory
- Activity altered
- Anxiety
“Dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction often suffer from symptoms of disorientation,” says Reisen.
“These can include wandering, apparent confusion, and things like going to the wrong side of a door to be let out. The dog may stare blankly at walls, floor, or into space; get stuck, or have difficulty getting around objects, and not recognize familiar people.”
Some dogs will become more anxious and clingy while others will become more aloof and detached as if they’re in their own little world.
Any anxiety can be exacerbated by a sudden or gradual deterioration in the dog’s vision and/or hearing.
Dogs with CCD may also be restless and pace around at night, unable to sleep and perhaps needing to go outside frequently for a bathroom break.
Again, we noticed many of these symptoms of cognitive decline with Bertie. As a much-loved old dog who lived to the age of 18½, he would often push his nose into the wrong side of the door frame when he wanted to go outside.
If we didn’t get him outside quickly, he wouldn’t be able to hold on and would pee or poop on the spot.
He also lost his hearing and would rely on us to communicate with him via hand signals and happy facial expressions. And he’d wander up and down sometimes, disoriented and unsure of what to do or where to go.
If your dog is pacing due to a neurological condition, they may not be walking well and may seem drunk or wobbly on one or more legs,” says Dr. Godfrey.
“They may be circling continuously in one direction and seem reluctant if you try to turn them the other way. They might appear blind, or appear not to notice obstacles like corners of the room or furniture.
“Neurological conditions can also cause vomiting, nystagmus (repetitive movement of the eyes), seizures, or a tilt of the head to one side.”
Again, if your dog is showing any of these signs, do get her to the veterinarian for a full diagnosis and management plan. The earlier you can address the issue, the better.
There’s also an excellent book, Remember Me?: Loving and Caring for a Dog with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, by dog trainer Eileen Anderson on living with a dog who is in cognitive decline which may be helpful.
What should I do if my dog is pacing?
#1. No restraints
If your dog is pacing, it can be tempting to try to stop her by restraining her, moving her, or confining her to a smaller space.
However, this is usually ineffective and may actually cause your dog more stress.
It’s important to understand the underlying cause of the pacing before taking any action. If your canine companion is pacing due to anxiety, for example, confining her may cause her to panic.
In general, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian or a certified canine behavior consultant or a positive reinforcement trainer if you’re unsure about how to proceed.
#2. No unprescribed medication
If you’ve ever felt anxious or stressed, you might have considered taking a calming supplement or medication. And if you’re a pet owner, you might have wondered if it’s safe to give your dog something similar to help her relax.
The short answer is no – you should never give your dog any human medication or supplement, even if it’s marketed as safe for pets.
The reason for this is that dogs and humans react to drugs in different ways, so what’s safe for a human could be deadly for a dog.
In addition, dogs metabolize drugs differently than humans, so what may be a harmless dosage for a person could be toxic for a dog. So never give your dog anything without checking with your vet first.
#3. Ensure her safety
According to Dr. Godfrey, the best “and most important thing that you can do if your dog is pacing is to ensure they are safe by removing any obstacles and blocking any potential falls like steps or staircases.”
Dr. Godfrey adds that it may also help to calm and reassure your pup simply by quietly and gently talking to her.
#4. Calming aids
You might also want to try some of the canine calming aids on the market.
These can be helpful for anxious or noise-phobic dogs but are not always effective, depending on the dog.
One possibility is a ThunderShirt® or some other type of anxiety wrap like a Tellington TTouch® Body Wrap, which can provide a soothing, calming sensation for your pup and may lessen any anxiety or excitement.
You could also try diffusing a dog-safe essential oil like lavender or chamomile in the area where your pup hangs out, or using an Adaptil Calming Pheromone Collar or an Adaptil Diffuser to provide calming effects.
Again, some dogs may respond and others may not.
Always consult with your veterinarian before using any supplements or essential oils on your dog, and make sure they are safe for her to use.
I mentioned dog music earlier, and you may find this helps your pup relax if she’s noise phobic, stressed, or anxious.
We played dog music in the car when we drove Lennox home for the first time and it did seem to help him settle.
I also used to play classical music to our very fearful dog Louis, who was terrified of thunderstorms.
If nothing else, it blocked out some of the outside noise.
If you know your dog has a particular phobia or is struggling with stress or showing signs of anxiety, it’s well worth consulting with a certified canine behavior consultant who will be able to come up with a tailor-made behavior modification program to help you elevate your pup’s overall mood state.
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When to see a vet about your dog’s pacing
Dr. Godfrey recommends consulting with your vet if your dog starts suddenly and continuously pacing up and down and there is no other “obvious distressing cause…especially if you are not able to distract them or get their attention.”
She also explains that if your pup has “any other symptoms like vomiting, a head tilt, circling, or wobbliness,” you should consult your veterinarian immediately.
And finally, if in any doubt whatsoever about your dog’s behavior or well-being, your vet should be your first port of call.
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Separation anxiety specialists
*Here are my personal recommendations for specialized separation anxiety trainers. Even better, they all do online consults so geography doesn’t matter!
Recommended Products
- Adaptil Calming Pheromone Collar
- Adaptil Diffuser
- KONG
- LickiMat
- Relax My Dog Music
- Remember Me?: Loving and Caring for a Dog with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction – Eileen Anderson
- Tellington TTouch Body Wraps
- Through A Dog’s Ear (iCalmPet)
- Thundershirt Anxiety Jacket
Resources
- Can Senior Dogs Get Alzheimer’s? – Jan Reisen
- Dog Pacing – Why It Happens and How to Help Your Pacing Dog – Stephanie Osmanski
- Separation Anxiety in Dogs & Dog Owners in 2021 – CertaPet
- The Freedom of Choice – Lara Joseph
- Why Is My Dog Pacing: 3 Reasons & How To Help Them – Dr. Hannah Godfrey
NEED A DOG TRAINER OR BEHAVIOR EXPERT? If you need more help dealing with a training or behavior issue, please find professional help from a force-free dog trainer who can consult with you either in person or remotely. GOOD PLACES TO START ARE: - COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers - Pet Dog Trainers of Europe - International Companion Animal Network - Institute of Modern Dog Trainers - Pet Professional Guild All dog owners deserve to have successful relationships with their canine companions!
