Do you know the main signs of stress in dogs?
Dogs are very sensitive animals and just like us humans, they can get stressed and irritated when exposed to uncomfortable situations.
Dogs primarily communicate through body language. And in order to know if your pup is stressed, you must be able to read your dog’s body language. Understanding your pup’s body language may help you avoid uncomfortable, or even dangerous, situations.
Below are some signs that can help you identify if your pup is stressed.
Signs of Stress in Dogs:
1. Growling
Growling doesn’t just mean that your dog is in a bad mood. Instead, growling is a pretty clear sign that your dog is uncomfortable. If your pup growls, he may be in pain or he may be in distress because his space is being invaded. Growling should be interpreted as a warning sign. Something is making your pup uncomfortable that you need to address before the situation escalates.
Many owners mistakenly discourage or even train their dogs not to growl, forgetting that growling is a warning sign that is a precursor to a bite. By training him to “skip” this step, your dog may jump right into a bite without any warning.
2. Crying or Barking
When feeling stressed, many puppies cannot control crying as it is a type of automatic stress response. This signal demonstrates that someone or something in the environment is causing your dog stress. A frequent reason puppies cry is because of separation anxiety. Separation from you may be making him uncomfortable. However, in order to overcome separation anxiety, you must gradually desensitize your puppy or expose your puppy to the stressor in a controlled environment, allowing your puppy to figure out how to cope on his own.
In the case of barking, the reason is similar, but it can also mean other things. It is important that you are always aware of the context.
Read More: Teaching Your Puppy to be Alone
3. Body Language Signs
Body language is the main way your pup communicates with you. Learning more about how dogs communicate can help you identify signs of stress and take quick action to make your pup calmer and more comfortable.
Some signs of stress in dogs include:
- Whale eyes (when they show the whites of the eyes)
- Dropped ears
- Tail between the legs
- Raised hackles
- Yawning
- Excessive panting
- Avoiding eye contact or looking away
- Licking their lips
4. Stiff Body
When a dog is completely paralyzed or has a stiff body, he is most likely stressed. At this point, your pup may be under such stress that the paralysis is his way to “turn off” because he can’t handle the stressful situation. The next step is frequently a bite, so be very aware of this sign.
Read More: How to Socialize a Puppy Properly
5. Restlessness
When your pup is fidgety or pacing back and forth, it means something is stressing him out.
It is important to note that if this behavior is short-lived, such as during mealtimes, it is not something to worry about. However, when your pup demonstrates this behavior more frequently and for extended periods of time, it is very likely that he is anxious.
In older dogs, restlessness can be a sign of dementia, so if your dog is elderly and starts exhibiting this behavior, be sure to visit the Vet right away.
How to Calm a Stressed Dog?
One of the best ways to calm your stressed pup is to identify what might be causing that stress. Depending on the trigger, you can either remove the trigger or slowly expose and desensitize your dog to their triggers.
More Tips:
- Review YOUR behavior: Sometimes owners reflect their behavior on the dog and end up contributing to the stress. For example, unnecessary punishment, staring, or touching food.
- Find a quiet corner where your dog can eat without being disturbed.
- Use the crate as a safe space for your dog.
- Teach children to respect your dog’s space.
- Watch for events that cause your pup stress, such as a car ride or walking under the subway tracks. And slowly practice exposure and desensitization.
Read More: Noise Anxiety in Dogs
Remember that each pup is unique and may display different behaviors when experiencing anxiety. It is important to observe your dog’s body language and analyze each situation.
The more you observe and learn about your pup’s body language, the better your relationship with your pup will be, and the easier it will be to identify signs that make him stressed.
Dog Walker Astoria
If you require help providing socialization opportunities for your dog and you live in Astoria, you can enroll your pup in daily Socialization Walks with Buster and Whiskers. We offer daily 1-hour Socialization Walks. If your pup is under-socialized, we will work with them to help desensitize them and get them ready for our Group Socialization Walks. You must live within our Astoria coverage area. In addition, your dog must be up-to-date on all required vaccinations. Laying a strong foundation in socialization is the best gift you can give your pup for a long and happy life together!
Buster and Whiskers is The #1 Dog Walking Service in Astoria, NY. If your dog needs more exercise or social interaction, enroll your pup in daily Socialization Walks with us. Contact us for a professional and reliable Dog Walker in Astoria! Follow us on Instagram!
