According to a study published in Scientific Reports, anxiety and behavioral problems may be prevalent in pet dogs, with the most common anxiety trait being sensitivity to noise, followed by fear.

Taking the form of a questionnaire based on dog owners’ reports, the researchers investigated seven anxiety-like traits and problem behaviors in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs. The authors found that 72.5 percent of the pet dogs exhibited problem behaviors, including aggression and fear.

Of these, sensitivity to noise was the most common anxiety, with 32% of dogs fearing at least one noise and 26% fearing fireworks. Fear came in second, with 29% of dogs showing signs of fear, including fear of other dogs (17%), fear of strangers (15%) and fear of new situations (11%).

As they age, pet dogs become more sensitive to noise and are especially afraid of the sound of thunder. In addition, fear of heights and fear of walking on metal grids or shiny floors increases with age. Male dogs are more aggressive, hyperactive, and impulsive than female dogs; and female dogs are more likely to be fearful.

The findings suggest that anxiety and behavioral problems may be present in dogs of different breeds. The authors concluded that efforts should be made to reduce the prevalence of these symptoms through, for example, selective breeding strategies and changes in the living environment.