Is your dog stressed? How would you know?
Your dog may not have a 9-to-5 job, relationship issues or financial worries, but stress in dogs is real, and can have real implications on your dog’s ability to behave appropriately.
4PawsUniversity has a handy visual guide to Stress Signs in Dogs, which helps answer “Is my dog stressed?” By monitoring your dog’s signals, you can take action before a bark, growl or bite happens.
Pay particular attention to your dog’s avoidance signals
Dogs may show subtle signs of stress their owners may miss, such as panting without exercise, or in cool weather; turning his head or averting his gaze; leaving or attempting to leave the area; hiding behind his owner; begging to be picked up (small dogs); refusing to take treats; or shaking, drooling, or whining. These are warning signs that your dog is not enjoying the current interaction!
Think of avoidance as a red sign reading, “Stop: Dog stressed”
When you see it, stop what you are doing and change tactics, or remove your dog from the environment that’s creating the avoidance behavior. There are a number of reasons a dog could be avoiding a particular person, dog or other scenario, but in any case it is a signal that should not be ignored.
If your dog is continually stressed by specific events or situations, behavior modification can help your dog learn to cope with stressful events before a bite, bolt or other unwanted behavior occurs.
Worried about your dog’s behavior?
Set up a free, 15-minute call with a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, to see how we might help.