Dogs largely use body language to communicate, thus it’s crucial for people to comprehend what they are trying to convey. Learning our dogs’ unique communication methods can help to ease their discomfort and avert potentially dangerous situations. To determine whether your dog is stressed, there are a number of warning signals to watch for.
1. Growling
If your dog is stressed, you can know right away by listening for growls. It might imply that they feel threatened, that someone is invading their personal space, or that they are in pain. It’s normally not meant to be hostile, but it’s frequently a sign that your dog is uneasy.
Many owners make an effort to stop their dog from snarling. However, if a dog is punished for it, they can be more inclined to ignore further warnings and bite without hesitation. Avoid correcting your dog’s growling. Respect their personal space instead, or find another way to achieve what you want from them. For instance, if a dog is snarling at its food, give them room so they can eat quietly. Trade them for a lesser treat if they are snarling at a bone you need to put away so you can safely remove the bone.
2. Whining or Barking
Dogs who are stressed cannot control their whimpering because it is more of an instinctual reaction. For humans, it is a sign that something in the environment is worrying them. Similar to how puppies can’t always control their howling, when they bark, they are trying to communicate their worry to you. However, depending on the situation, dogs might whine and bark for a variety of other causes.
3. Body Language
Puppies who engage in these actions are attempting to mediate a conflict or to assure you or another dog that they are not a danger.
Whale eye, which is when canines show the whites of their eyes, tucked ears, tucked tails, elevated hackles, lip-licking, yawning, and panting are all indications that a dog is under stress. Your dog may also glance away or avoid making eye contact. Most frequently, a dog that seems “guilty” will exhibit this. . The dog, however, is actually responding to your tone of voice and nonverbal cues and believes something is wrong.
Avoid relying primarily on nonverbal cues. Additionally, not always when they are scared or anxious, some dogs will raise their hackles when they are overstimulated or excited.
4. Freezing
Another dog stress symptom is when your dog is frequently anxious about something they notice if they freeze or become rigid. This is sometimes seen as “submission” in a training situation, however according to contemporary dog training methods, the dog is actually shutting down. Both you and your dog may be in serious risk if you do this. The dog may bite as the following step if they are too agitated to handle the situation, which is a warning indication.
5. Pacing
Pacing back and forth is a dog stress symptom that something is stressing out a dog and making it difficult for them to relax. It might not be a significant concern if this just occurs around mealtimes or for brief periods of time. However, observing when your dog exhibits this behavior might help you figure out what is making them anxious.
Pacing might be a sign of dementia in senior dogs. Consult your veterinarian straight away if you start to notice this in your senior pet.
How To Calm A Stressed Dog Down
Owners of dogs should examine their own actions to see whether they may be adding to the dog’s stress. Owners can stress out their dogs by failing to give clear instructions, glaring at them directly, or punishing them excessively.
Finding the source of your dog’s tension and removing it is the best method to calm them down. Alternately, work with your veterinarian or a professional trainer to lessen their reaction to the trigger.
Sometimes all it takes is enclosing a space where your dog can eat without being bothered. Alternatively, you may instruct them on how to properly appreciate your dog. If you are aware that your dog becomes anxious around certain situations, such as a vehicle journey or Fourth of July fireworks, there are some particular steps you may take to reduce their nervousness.
The final word is – You can quickly understand your dog’s stress signals and calm them down by paying attention to their body language.