What are the indicators of stress and stress assessment in dogs?
Nash Rosenbaum
2025-06-23 10:38:36
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Pacing or shaking. You have seen your dog shake after a bath or a roll in the grass. That whole-body shake can be amusing and is quite normal — unless it occurs as the result of a stressful situation. Whining or barking. Vocalization is normal self-expression in dogs but may be intensified when they are under stress. Yawning, drooling, and licking. Dogs yawn when they are tired or bored, and they also yawn when stressed. Changes in eyes and ears. Stressed dogs, like stressed people, may have dilated pupils and blink rapidly. Changes in body posture. Dogs normally bear weight evenly on all four legs. If a healthy dog with no orthopedic problems shifts their weight to the rear legs or cowers, they may be exhibiting stress. Shedding. Show dogs that become nervous in the show ring often “blow their coat”. Panting. Dogs pant when hot, excited, or stressed. Changes in bodily functions. Like people, nervous dogs may experience an increased urgency to urinate or defecate. Avoidance or displacement behavior. When faced with an unwelcome situation, dogs may “escape” by focusing on something else. Hiding or escape behavior. An extension of avoidance, some tense dogs move behind a trusted person or behind a nearby object.
Talia Stiedemann
2025-06-20 04:11:16
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: 19
Stress in dogs causes the same physiological changes as it does in humans, where energy moves into the muscles in preparation for ‘fight or flight’. Your dog will begin by showing low level signals of stress. These will vary by dog and as the owner, you should be aware of these signs. Other common signals of low level stress include: Panting Yawning Avoidance behaviour Licking of the lips or nose Glancing away. If the first signs of stress are missed, the signals will begin to intensify. Each dog will respond in their own individual way and will eventually display a type of fight or flight reaction: Growling, barking, making themselves big and threatening, try to chase the threat away, Cowering, whining, trying to get away from the threat, or a dog may stay completely still – a freeze reaction. Low level stress which goes unnoticed can result in long-term stress, signs could include: Coat problems Skin irritation Depression and general unhappiness Destructive behaviour Digestive issues Reluctance to eat Constant food grazing Chewing the tail Over grooming resulting in sore patches.
Ashleigh Hyatt
2025-06-13 23:30:26
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: 7
Subtle indicators of increasing distress may include nose licking, turning their head away, and lowering body posture. This may lead to more pronounced signs, including tucking their tail between their legs, pinning their ears back, and actively moving away from the stressor. Conversely, some dogs may show displacement behaviours such as sniffing around or acting playful. The intensity of these signs can escalate to more overt indicators such as growling, snapping, or biting; however, other dogs may also be very still, frozen, and staring. By observing body language, it is crucial to be able to recognise when dogs are struggling to cope. We can ensure that all staff are adept at reading dog body language to ensure subtle signs of emotional discomfort are detected. Dogs encounter daily stressors ranging from basic needs such as hunger and thirst to a threat in their environment. In states of distress, suffering often occurs due to an inability to cope or ineffective coping mechanisms.
Lula Stokes
2025-06-01 03:00:29
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: 15
Some signs of stress are subtle, while others are very obvious. Stress can be caused by fear, changes in environment and routine, medical issues and/or encountering new pets and people. Behavioral Signs of Stress include Over-excitability, Destructiveness, Unusually quiet, Repetitive or odd behaviors, Hiding, Not eating, and Shut down. Body Language Indicators of Stress include Turning head away or moving away from a person, animal or object while body is getting smaller - cowering, Stiff or tense body, tail is usually still and can be hanging down or standing up high, Avoiding eye contact OR looking toward you with head turned slightly to opposite side showing the whites of their eyes, Trembling, tucked tail, panting, crouching, Excess drooling, excess shedding, sweaty paws, Humping, repetitive jumping, Yawning, lip licking, shaking off, scratching, Loss of appetite and/or thirst, and Aggression. Factors That Can Cause Stress include Moving to a new home, Kenneling or pet-sitting, A new animal or person staying or visiting in the house, A new baby, Noises, especially new and/or loud ones, Medical issues and/or pain, Strangers and crowds, Fast, excited movement of humans, City environments, Dog Events, Not enough exercise, Other pets, Extreme temperatures, and Being left alone.