DOGS
Is your dog stressed? If he does any of these things, he probably is
If you are the owner of a four-legged friend, it is important to understand when your dog is stressed so you can help it feel safe and comfortable.
In this photo gallery, we will show you the most common signs that your dog is experiencing stress.
You may already know them, but there may be some surprises too! Take a few minutes to look at these pictures and learn how to interpret your dog's language.
Five signs that your dog is stressed
If you are the owner of a four-legged friend, it is important to understand when your dog is stressed so you can help your dog feel safe and comfortable. In this photo gallery, we will show you the most common signs that your dog is experiencing stress. You may already know them, but there may be some surprises too! Take a few minutes to look at these pictures and learn how to interpret your dog's language.
Growl
The dog's growl is a warning that indicates his discomfort, not aggression. Punishing him for growling could lead to future biting, so it is best to respect his space or find an alternative way to handle the situation. Probably someone is in his space, or the dog feels threatened or something is causing him pain-all these possibilities stress the animal, which may react by growling.
Crying or barking
Whining and barking are clues that the dog is stressed or anxious, but it depends on the context. They are often automatic responses and cannot be controlled by the dog.
Body language
The dog's body language includes more than 30 signs: these signs indicate the dog's need to calm down in stressful situations. Signs of stress include low ears and tail, fur erection, lip licking, yawning and panting. However, some signs can be misinterpreted, so it is important to consider the context. For example, erect fur may indicate excitement and not necessarily stress.
Stiffening
The dog's stiffening may be a sign of stress or fear about something the dog is seeing. This behavior should not be viewed as a submission, but as a warning that the dog cannot handle the situation and the next step could be a bite. It is important to intervene to avoid situations that are dangerous to the dog and the people around.
Continuous walking
The behavior of walking back and forth can be a sign of stress in dogs. If it happens during meals or for short periods, it may not be a big problem, but it could indicate a health problem in older dogs. In any case, watching this behavior closely can provide useful information about your dog's state of anxiety.