5 Signs Your Dog is Stressed & How to Help
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It’s our responsibility as dog owners to be able to understand our dogs enough to know when they are stressed so we can help.
As with anyone we love we want to make sure they are happy, healthy and content.
Understanding dogs’ communication, as they don’t speak words, is a vital part of making sure they are ok.
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How Dogs Communicate Stress
There are a variety of ways dogs communicate stress and it’s important to notice the more subtle ones to avoid the ladder of progression that could leave to aggression.
Dogs communicate stress with body posture, behaviours like yawning and moving away as well as vocalisation from barking which can take many forms and growling.
Remember stress can be sudden or long term and the signs dogs use to communicate can be singular or combination of things.
5 Commons Signs of Stress in Your Dog & What Could Be the Cause
1) Early subtle signs of stress can include yawning and lip licking
Of course, these things can mean other things like they are tired or have just eaten something tasty. You are your dog’s expert though and you know what’s going on in their day so you can do your own detective work.
Keeping a diary can be helpful if you are not sure. Dogs often show these signs if they are uncomfortable with formal handling like grooming, bathing or strangers like the vet handling them.
We often see these signs when they are interacting with dogs they don’t know, or just after.
2) Shaking
Dogs can shake to show stress both in the more subtle way, similar to after they have got wet and are trying to dry their coat, and in the more physical sense like when they are cold.
Reasons for this can be varied but I commonly see dogs shake off tension after meeting a dog they don’t know. The more serious shaking, like they are cold, can be a sign they are predicting something they are really scared of or have just been scared like in the case of a back firing car that has just gone past.
3) Other physiological signs
Things like panting when it’s not hot and sudden shedding of hair can also be signs of stress.
Panting can start if a dog is predicting something negative or has just experienced something they find aversive.
Loosing hair suddenly or over time should be discussed with a vet but sudden shock or prolonged stress could be behind it.
4) Behavioural shifts
Moving away is one of the most common ways a dog shows they are finding something unpleasant.
My dog has been having massage recently for pain issues and if she moves away we know she needs a break from the work, and we can go back in to work on that area more gently. Before she gets to that point though she will look round at what you are doing so we know that area is sore.
Dogs can also show stress by pacing and restlessness common in dogs with noise fears and phobias especially during fireworks season.
5) Dogs body posture
Can also give away signs of stress or conflict. Ears back, a tail tucked under or tense body posture rather than a lovely loose wriggly one are all signs that can tell us our dog is experiencing something stressful or worrying.
If dogs are being destructive or toileting inappropriately when we leave them it is likely a form of separation anxiety.
If we see changes in drinking or eating habits this could also be an indicator of stress either more or less of these.
Whimpering, whining or barking that’s out of character can be an indicator of anxiety.
I would also pay attention to what we often call displacement activity or fiddling and faffing about in other words. If your dog is scratching or sniffing a lot especially when meeting unknown dogs, it can be a subtle sign they are not comfortable.
Dog stress warning signs
It’s best to spot early signs of stress and anxiety most are listed above. However, to keep everyone safe we must know about more serious warning signs that the dog may turn to aggression to protect themselves.
Watch for dogs freezing, that’s standing very still and often rigid, growling or snarling showing teeth and snapping.
First Aid Tips for Helping Your Dog Cope with Stress
First thing to do when you notice your dog is stressed is to see if there is anything you can change immediately for them that will reduce the trigger like moving away from a dog they are finding too much.
Next, have a think about their daily life and keep a diary if necessary for a week or two so you can be sure you have identified the cause or causes of stress in their lives. That could be minor and major stressors. Do what you can to remove these triggers or seek professional help to resolve them.
If stress response is consistent, serious or dangerous seek professional advice from a behaviourist preferably someone qualified and accredited. Look at APBC, CCAB, CAB and PACT websites as a starting point or ask your vet to refer you to a local accredited behaviourist.
Accredited behaviourists will normally require you to have had a recent health check with your vet where you discussed your concerns about your dog’s behaviour.
If stress is minor or you have a wait to see a behaviourist consider naturally calming methods as Tom as laid out in this blog …
With all dogs, increasing mental stimulation and making sure they get reliable REM sleep will help prevent stress and anxiety-based problem behaviours from starting.
Good nutrition and happy settled tummies are also key. With Years food, treats and activity feeders that’s well covered.
Remember you can book a FOC 15-minute call with me through your account if you would like to discuss stress and your dog.
Joanna Sutherland
VN, Cert AAB
Veterinary Nurse & Behaviourist
Joanna is a qualified Veterinary Nurse and Behaviourist with over 15 years of experience in first opinion and referral practice. She holds a Certificate in Applied Animal Behaviour and has long focused on preventative health- spanning nutrition, dental care, and behaviour. Her interests include gut health, fussy eating and using food to support training and mood. A passionate advocate of holistic pet care, she’s worked with hundreds of families to find diets that are both practical and health-promoting. Joanna is thrilled to support Years because, as she says, we’ve created “the food I always wished existed”.
