Think about all the different things that stress you out in your daily life. Between work, traffic, or a disruption in your routine, the list can go on and on. Certainly these days, we have a major disruption to our lives which has caused many people stress in many ways. Dogs can experience stress too, but they can’t use words to tell us what is causing them stress. Instead, a stressed out dog relies on a variety of signals to let us know something is wrong, we just have to pay attention.
Dogs communicate stress through three main avenues: body language, physiological signs, and vocalizations. It is important to understand and watch for those signs in order to minimize stress. Keep in mind that relaxed dogs might exhibit some of these signs, so think about your dog’s usual behavior when looking for signs of stress.
- Body Language: One of the most easily recognizable signs of a stressed out dog is the stereotypical scared or “guilty” dog posture: tail tucked between the legs, hunched over or cowering, head down, not making eye contact. Generally, this posture is done to make the dog seem smaller in the face of something intimidating. Other signs to look for when dogs are fearful are shaking, trembling, rigid posture, or hiding behind their owner. A dog who is pacing, or has his hackles raised has moved past fear to agitation and aggression.
- Physiological Signs: Many people do not recognize the physiological signals stressed dogs send out because they don’t know to look for them! Yawning and licking the lips are a good indicator of a low level of stress. Excessive drooling, ears pinned back, or whale eye – eyes are so wide you can see the whites – are usually signs that your dog is experiencing a great deal of stress in the situation. Chronic stress can lead to other issues such as inappropriate urination, refusing food, and diarrhea.
- Vocalizations: Barking is used to draw attention to the thing that is causing your dog stress so that it might either be scared off or removed. Whining or whimpering is an involuntary vocalization that indicates fear, pain, or stress. Growling is often punished, but should actually be appreciated. A growling dog is one that wants to let you know his boundaries are being pushed too far instead of jumping straight to aggression. Never punish your dog for showing signs of stress. A stressed out dog who feels like he has no other way to escape the stressful environment will turn to aggression. Think of these signs as your dog trying to tell you what is going on before things get to that point.
If possible, remove your dog from the stressful situation as soon as possible. That might mean leaving the park or not letting anyone pet them for a while. However, do not comfort him too much. In doing so, you could confirm that he should be stressed in that situation.
If leaving is not an option, distract him with food, but make him earn it! Mental distractions can be beneficial in reducing stress. Chronic stress might result from boredom and can be alleviated by regular walks, playtime, and puzzle toys.
If your dog continues to suffer from anxiety symptoms, seek help from your veterinarian as medical issues might be the cause.
Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training can also help Sarasota and Bradenton dog owners with their stressed out dogs. By helping with socialization, obedience and behavior training, we can assist your dog in being more comfortable in his own environment. Call us today!
