Dogs make absolutely amazing& emotional support animals, but did you know that dogs feel stress and anxiety too? They are always here for us, and we should return the favor and help them in their time of need. Signs of dog stress can be easily overlooked, and some owners aren’t even aware that dog stress is a genuine problem that can cause our dogs to act differently and feel emotionally distressed. Here are some of the most common signs your dog is feeling stressed.
Whining or barking
Many dogs cannot control their whining or barking when they are feeling stressed. They are trying to tell you that something in their environment is causing them to feel anxious, which is their natural way of communicating. This can be a clear sign the dog feels stressed, but you should also keep an eye on your dog’s context and energy while acting this way. There are many reasons dogs can whine and bark, and this is just one of them.
Growling
Growling is a clear sign your dog isn’t feeling comfortable. It can have many reasons such as pain, invading their personal space, or feeling threatened. Growling doesn’t have to be a sign of aggression; it is more often a sign of warning that the dog isn’t feeling comfortable.
This is the best way dogs can express their extreme displeasure. When dogs growl, they are obviously stressed since growling is usually caused when they feel cornered, scared, and feel the need to defend themselves. Those are some of the biggest stress causes in the canine world.
Freezing
When dogs freeze, it is most likely because they are stressed about something they see. Modern dog training says that when your dog freezes, it is because they can not understand and comprehend the situation that they are in. This is also a canine stress sign and one that is as clear as it can be. Freezing can also be dangerous since it is often followed by a bite caused by stress.
“Guilty” body language
There are whole books that explain a dog’s body language, and some of the signs that tell you your dog is stressed are whale eyes, tucked ears, tucked tail, raised hackles, lip-licking, yawning, and panting. People believe they “understand” their dogs are guilty, but dogs are merely reacting to your or another dog’s angry or dominant body language.
They are clearly trying to tell you that they are not a threat and they feel something or someone in their environment is causing them to be submissive and stressed. However, you cannot rely solely on body language to determine if your dog is stressed because some dog breeds can raise the hair on their back when they are excited.
Shedding
Dogs that feel a tremendous amount of stress will often shed excessively. They can blow their entire undercoat outside of the shedding season, and shedding is a clear sign of severe stress. It is essential to address that problem before your dog ends up with bald spots. The best way to solve it is to remove the stress source. In the meantime, you can add supplements like fish oil to promote hair growth and health.
Another emotional problem that can affect our furry friends is dog depression, so make sure you are familiar with those symptoms.
Keeping our emotional support dogs healthy and happy is vital because they are a part of our family and should be treated as such.