With regard to helping your dog with anxiety, it's important to ask yourself, "What's your long-term goal?" Have reasonable expectations for what your dog is able to do. "Your goal should be improvement and not finding a cure," Nichols says. A good goal is one that helps your dog be happier and less anxious — not specific activities that you want them to enjoy. Just because you have your heart set on your dog being a certain way (maybe a running partner or therapy dog) doesn't mean this is going to be reasonable for them. You may need to adjust or let go of your expectations.