Parties: How to Tell If Your Dog Is Anxious or Excited
There are lots of exciting events happening in 2026, including America 250, America’s 250th anniversary since signing the Declaration of Independence. When exactly will America be 250? Well, it coincides with July 4th, Independence Day.
This is going to be a huge celebration with entire neighbourhoods having big parties, fireworks, and parades drawing in large crowds. Although this busier, louder celebration is going to be a lot of fun for most people, many pet parents will struggle to tell the difference between a happily excited dog and an anxious or overstimulated dog.
In this guide, we’ll teach dog owners how to tell if their dog is anxious or excited during big parties and celebrations, and how to calm their dog before, during, and after loud and busy events.
Why Big Parties Affect Dogs Differently
Firstly, it’s important to understand your dog’s behaviour and why they might act differently during big parties. Excitement and anxiety can often look similar on the surface, such as fast movements, panting, and barking. But why do they react like this?
Dogs experience the world with heightened senses; in fact, a dog’s part of the brain responsible for smell is 40 times larger than the human equivalent, and the top of their hearing range can be up to four times that of a human’s.
As a result, loud noises, unfamiliar people, flashing lights, and changes to their routine can be a big change for dogs. And depending on their personality and background, they will either be excited or anxious.
Excited vs Anxious Dogs: Why the Difference Matters
Why do you need to know if your dog is excited or anxious before throwing a big party or celebration like America 250? Because if you know this information, you’ll be able to put measures in place to ensure your dog also has an enjoyable time.
Excited dogs can usually be settled down with calm guidance, whereas anxious dogs can escalate if stimulation continues without reassurance, which often leads to fear-based reactions in the future.
So, here are the important signs to look out for when determining whether your dog is excited or anxious.
Signs Your Dog Is Excited & Comfortable
- Loose, wiggly body movements
- Relaxed mouth or playful panting
- Easily redirected attention
- Willingness to engage and then rest
- Recovers quickly from stimulation
Signs Your Dog Is Anxious & Unsettled
- Stiff body posture
- Excessive pacing or inability to settle
- Panting unrelated to heat or activity
- Trembling, hiding, or seeking escape
- Excessive barking or whining
- Ignoring treats or familiar cues
Common Behaviours That Are Often Misinterpreted
It’s easy to mistake anxiety for too much excitement when you’re not fully aware of the signs for both. So, with the signs covered, here’s some further insight into how to tell if your dog is excited or anxious, with some commonly misinterpreted behaviours.
- Jumping = not always happy excitement
- Zoomies = sometimes stress release
- Clinginess = reassurance-seeking, not affection
- Barking = overstimulation, not fun participation
What to Do If Your Dog Is Anxious During a Big Celebration
Most often, subtle signs will appear before the obvious fear, so it’s essential to be observational and supportive of your dog during this time. And if you’re already starting to recognise some of these anxious tendencies in your dog, here’s how you can keep them calm.
1. Reduce Stimulation: Having the right music, lights, and entertainment is an important part of any party. However, if you have an anxious dog, consider only having stimulation they’re comfortable with, or at a level you know they can handle.
2. Quiet Space: We all need a space to retreat to when overstimulated, and it’s the same for our pets. So, make sure to create a quiet, tranquil space away from distractions so your dog can relax when they’re feeling overwhelmed.
3. Calm Reassurance: Whether it’s in their quiet space or during the celebrations, make the time to calmly reassure your dog that they’re safe and you’re there to support them, whether that’s with words or treats!
4. Maintain Routine: Both before, during, and after the event, try to maintain as much of their typical day-to-day routine as possible, such as walks or naps. This will provide them with comfort and stability, especially with unfamiliar faces, sounds, and smells around.
5. Calming Tools: If your dog is especially anxious, they may need extra care and support to ensure they’re comfortable during the celebration. At Soothe and Settle, we have our cosy Hush Muffs and a variety of supplements to ensure your anxious dog feels relaxed.
Preparing Ahead for America 250 Celebrations
Now that you know how to tell if your dog is excited or anxious, and how to support an anxious dog, here’s an easy guide on how to prepare for America 250 and other large-scale celebrations.
- Observing Your Dog: See how they behave at smaller gatherings. This will help you determine their anxiety level and tolerance.
- Creating a Calm Plan: Do this before any major holidays or celebrations; this will give you plenty of time to ensure your dog has everything they need to stay relaxed.
- Starting Calming Routines Early: If you know your dog is anxious, start implementing their calming routine as soon as possible; events like America 250 might extend over multiple days, so starting this early will bring comfort.
Calm Awareness Makes Better Celebrations
We hope you found learning about the differences between excited and anxious dogs useful. Understanding your dog’s emotional state helps to prevent avoidable stress and discomfort, ensuring big events aren’t overwhelming.
Creating sources of comfort and relaxation is vital, and tools like the Hush Muff could help your anxious dog and even make busy celebrations safer and more enjoyable for them. To find out more, visit our shop or get in touch with our friendly team today.
