Like humans, dogs too can experience stress. To best help our canine companions, it's important to understand common stress signals in dogs and know what they mean.

You, my friend, have come to the right place if you want to understand the common stress signals in dogs and what they mean. Over the past decade, there has been a massive shift in understanding and treating human anxiety and stress. 

And, our dogs will always be there to pull us over from the dark side to the bark side with their pawsitivity and stress-relieving wizardry.  

Just as stress can affect humans in various mental and physical ways, it can affect our dogs similarly. More than 70% of dogs display stress and anxiety. Since dogs don’t speak human (and don’t wear mood rings), it can sometimes be difficult to tell exactly what your pup is saying. However, by understanding how your dog communicates, you can take steps to minimize stress triggers and help your pooch feel happy, healthy, and furbulous.

First, let’s talk about what stresses dogs and how they respond to their environment so that you can understand your beloved doggo better.

Any situation, surrounding, object or being that disrupts the body’s normal state of functioning can trigger stress.

We can break down stress triggers into four main categories:

Dogs may experience stress when exposed to one or all types of stressors. Below are some of the most common stress triggers in dogs:

Fireworks, gunfire, cars backfiring, or other sudden loud noises

Other sources of noise such as loud music, construction, or the television

Tense human interactions: Human stress levels in the home, arguments or fights, an influx of visitors, or social engagements in the home

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COMMON STRESS SIGNALS IN DOGS AND WHAT THEY MEAN

There are many signs and symptoms to indicate a dog is stressed. However, before beginning to look for signs of stress in your dog, it is crucial to learn your dog’s normal body language and establish a baseline for comparison. 

A relaxed dog will have a soft face and body, ears halfway down their head and forward

They might be softly panting or breathing through their nose

Their tail will be held at the same level as their body and might be gently wagging (think a relaxed NOT stiff tail).

They will happily accept yummy treats when offered (not all dogs like treats or are treat motivated, so this can also apply to other reinforcers (pets, praise, play, etc)  

All dogs are different and might communicate their stress differently, but there are some common signs of stress shared by most dogs. These behaviors can also be signs of something else, so it’s essential to pay attention to your pet’s lifestyle changes to see what might be causing these behaviors:

 Your pet will often “talk” to you when feeling uncomfortable. While it can be tempting to shush our dogs when they whine, bark, or growl – especially if it’s loud and repetitive – it’s important that we listen and try to understand what is triggering them.

The all-too-familiar tail tucked between the legs signifies that you are dealing with a stressed-out dog. The tail can tell a lot of tales. Uneasy pups might also curl tightly into a fetal position or crouch low to the ground. Other dogs may become extremely tense and rigid yet remain to stand, commonly referred to as “fear freezing.”

The autonomic nervous system kicks in automatically when stress occurs. This is the “fight, flight, or freeze” response to external fears or stressors. It is an involuntary response system for survival and adapting. Dogs also have a sympathetic nervous system. When a dog is stressed, this system releases adrenaline and increases its heart and respiratory rate, often seen as panting.

Like ears, eyes are a major indicator of how your doggo is feeling, and whale eyes go hand-in-hand with anxiety and stress.

Body language is a powerful tool for learning how your dog feels, and ears are like turn signals that can indicate your dog’s mood. For example, if your doggo has his ears straight back, he may be trying to tell you he’s stressed or upset.

A common sign of chronic stress is reduced appetite or increased digestive problems. Dogs, even dogs who are overweight, will still eat regularly when they are healthy. However, if your dog suddenly refuses food, it’s a sign of stress. The stress may not be purely emotional, either. Some dogs refuse food because they are experiencing physical pain or even illness. Other dogs might not eat because they are depressed, especially after a major life change. Sometimes dogs with isolation anxiety will not eat when their parents are not home. It’s crucial to keep your pupper’s gut health in check.

Very commonly, stressed dogs will develop diarrhea. Sometimes diarrhea contains blood or mucous and can be an alarming finding for pet owners. This is a condition veterinarians call stress colitis. It is a common phenomenon, although we are not quite sure why stress leads to inflammation of the large intestine.

Yawning can mean boredom or sleepiness but it is also the first level response to a mild stressor. Yawning relieves stress and helps a dog release anxiety that’s building up internally. When comparing different kinds of yawns, a yawn in an inappropriate environment or context (in public, at the vet’s office, around people, etc.) is likely due to stress as opposed to a relaxed yawn after just waking up. Stress-yawns also come with facial muscle tension and also look exaggerated.

Newfoundlands, Basset Hounds, and Saint Bernards aside, drooling can be an extreme sign of stress for dogs that don’t typically drool (or in situations they normally wouldn’t drool in). An anxious dog may produce excess saliva, drooling or foaming at the corners of his mouth. Not only is this a sticky situation around the house, but it can also be a grooming issue with long-haired pooches that may develop mats or hot spots from the excess moisture.

Licking is a calming, self-soothing activity for dogs and cats. Therefore, it may be a sign of distress if you see your pet obsessively grooming themselves or lip licking around their nose and mouth. In regards to licking, excessive licking could also be a sign of a skin condition, like allergies, sores, hot spots, bumps, etc. If you’re concerned, please visit your veterinarian.

When your pet is stressed, they may develop skin irritations. This can cause excessive scratching and shedding. Some shedding is normal, but if it appears to be constant — they may be stressed.

Hiding or Escaping: Dogs often hide behind their parents in stressful situations, slink under a table, or cower behind a chair. Some will even try to chew off a leash and run if necessary to avoid the stressful situation. In addition, dogs dealing with separation anxiety might try to escape by chewing through a door or their kennel to find their way back to their pack.

The most crucial task when comforting a stressed dog is remembering to stay calm! Dogs can sense your stress and might feel that their reaction is justified if you are stressed as well.

Besides staying calm, here are some tips for reducing your dog’s stress:

Speak to them calmly and offer reassurance

Teach children to play with your dog appropriately

Create a safe zone for your pup (like a crate)

Remember, eliminating all stress from your doggo’s life is impossible. Still, with patience and time, you can easily improve your dog’s quality of life by recognizing and managing their stress and getting your best friend’s tail wagging again.

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Tell us in the comment section what common stress signals you have observed in your doggo and how did you help overcome them.

12 Common Stress Signals in Dogs and What They Mean | Pupford