Top 5 Dog Stress Signs & How To Treat Them

You can help your dog prevent the things that worry them and avoid future conflicts if you can spot the early signs of stress or anxiety in dogs. This will keep everyone in the family feeling comfortable and help prevent your dog from acquiring more persistent phobias. Keep reading to learn more about dog stress signs.

What are the most common dog stress signs?

It can be very easy to miss dog body language signs because they are frequently rapid and subtle. Your dog's entire body, as well as the situation's context, must be taken into account.

Recognising the signs of your dog's relaxed state can help you to determine when they are not feeling the same way.

If your dog exhibits any of the symptoms listed below, think about the possible causes and how you may make them feel better. You may be able to handle the problem in a number of ways, such as by gently removing your dog from the situation that is upsetting them or by stopping an activity and letting your dog be alone.

1. They slow down 

Dogs tend to slow down as they strive to learn more when they are uncertain about something.

2. Lip-licking and leaning away

Direct eye contact can be frightening for dogs, so your dog might turn their head away from whatever is upsetting them.

3. Crouched body

To appear as little and inconspicuous as possible, some dogs can cower and tuck their tail under. Others may hold their tail straight up so that humans and other dogs may clearly see that they are expressing uncertainty.

4. Paw lift

Dogs may pause and turn their heads in the direction of something frightening or unsettling.

5. Approaching with the body dropped

A dog may want to approach someone, another animal, or an object to interact with or study it while also displaying signs of anxiety. They might make an approach before turning away if they feel conflicted.

What causes dog stress signs? 

Dogs can experience stress due to boredom, frustration, fear, or anxiety.

Additionally, it's likely that every now and again, circumstances in your life may be making you feel a little anxious. As dogs are able to detect when something is off, being around a stressed-out family member will often be enough to have an impact on them.

Dogs are susceptible to changes in routine, such as getting less exercise. This may result in excess energy that has nowhere to go. Or your dog might have become anxious when going out in public following lockdown. Keep in mind that they have gotten used to staying at home as well, meaning that they could want additional assistance to help them re-acclimate to hectic environments.

How can I relieve my dog's stress signs?

The first step is determining whether your dog is stressed. When you know what to look for, there are many things you can do to contribute to making your pet feel less anxious and more at peace. You can choose the most effective calming method by being aware of the source of their agitation.

Here are some of the things you can do:

- Give your dog some time away
- Exercise your dog
- Be nice and calm
- Entertain your dog
- Don't chase them away
- See an animal behaviourist

You can shop online at Vet Pharmacy for dog stress relief products to suit your needs.

 

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This blog post was written on behalf of Vet Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.

 

Updated September 2022