The pandemic unleashed an epidemic of anxiety in dogs. The experts advise patience, positive training and tasty treats. But will it work for John-Paul Flintoff’s pet?

When children get scared, we can explain that there are no sharks under the bed. Dogs, when they’re fearful, are harder to reason with. You may not realise how distressing this can be – and I don’t only mean for the dog.

My own miniature schnauzer, Peanut, became fearful this year. Her case may not be as bad as many others, but she’s my dog and I want to help her. So I called the animal behavioural scientist Dr Zazie Todd, author of Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog.