Which behavior might indicate anxiety in dogs during handling?

Increased attention can be a key indicator of anxiety in dogs during handling. When a dog is anxious, it may exhibit hyper-vigilance, which means it becomes overly aware of its surroundings. This can manifest as heightened alertness, where the dog may pay excessive attention to movements, sounds, or changes in the environment. This behavior reflects the dog's need to be prepared for potential threats or stressors, which is a common response to anxiety.

In contrast, behaviors such as a calm demeanor usually suggest comfort and relaxation rather than anxiety. Refusal to move can indicate a different issue, such as fear or a lack of trust, rather than anxiety specifically. Excessive sleeping may point to various health or emotional issues but is not a direct sign of anxiety like increased attention can be. Therefore, recognizing the signs of increased attention helps handlers identify and respond appropriately to a dog's anxiety during handling.