We all love our dogs dearly; they are just like our family members. Few other animals are as loyal as dogs, which can stand with us through thick and thin.
They are our best friends, and we need to be at their side when something appears to destroy their peace of mind.
Indeed, just like in humans, there are situations and places that can trouble your dog deeply. Dogs can sense when something is wrong, and they react by behaving in a way that signals distress.
We have compiled nine telltale signs of stress and anxiety in dogs. Read through each one of them thoroughly, and see whether you or your pet has faced any similar situation.
1. Excessive Panting or Drooling
Dogs pant and drool to regulate their body temperature during heat. So, if you catch your dog drooling more than normal, it’s time to be wary.
Your dog could be doing this because of stress. What are the possible reasons? It can be a wide range of things: any kind of stressful situation, potential threat, or situation that can cause fear.
When dogs get anxious, their bodies can release cortisol (a stress hormone).
This chemical causes such responses, including panting and salivation.
2. Shaking or Trembling
Like humans, it’s normal for dogs to tremble or shake when they feel anxious or stressed. Dogs usually do this when they are exposed to vulnerable situations.
If everything else fails, then immediately take it to your room and try to calm it down. Check if there’s any noise or any object around you that might be causing this reaction.
3. Restlessness and refusal to calm down
Restlessness is another commonly seen symptom. If anything happens to agitate your dog, it will become restless.
They may refuse to sit or lie down calmly. Instead, they will become fidgety and keep pacing back and forth, even when they are physically tired.
They can appear to be on the edge, constantly changing positions even while lying down. Of all stress symptoms, this is probably the most eye-catching.
4. Aggression or Irritability
Even a friendly dog can become aggressive under stress. It can bark or snap excessively, trying to lunge at people.
This may be a response to a feeling of being cornered. If your dog, who is normally a ‘good boy’, is being aggressive or causing discomfort to people around you, then it could be threatened or stressed by a human or another animal. Try to pay attention to what it is being aggressive towards.
5. Destructive Behavior
Stress can cause destructive behavior in dogs, such as chewing, hard tugging, or scratching too much.
If you catch your dogs suddenly tearing apart their chew toys or pillows, it is time to take action. This is quite similar to stress eating for humans. Do not allow this to continue, or it will get worse.
6. Excessive Barking or Whining
Your dog will try to seek solace from you when they are stressed. If they are barking too much, then they’re trying to communicate what’s wrong. So try to listen.
Something must have disturbed your dog or made it anxious. Try to find out the cause. See if there is any particular place or individual that is causing your dog to react badly. If possible, try to eliminate the cause from your surroundings.
Additionally, if your dog is tugging at your clothes and trying to take you somewhere, then follow it to see what’s amiss. It may be something that requires your urgent attention, or even a safety issue for your family.
7. Withdrawal or Avoidance from others
A stressed dog can withdraw completely from any sort of social interaction. They can ‘lock’ themselves, avoiding contact.
This is displayed by attempts to hide under beds, furniture, or in closets. Alternatively, they may try to whimper or avoid their owners or other individuals with whom they are familiar.
Additionally, they’ll also try to snuggle with their owners to seek comfort from them.
8. Changes in Appetite or Eating Habits
We have mentioned in one of the points that stress leads dogs to chew aggressively, much in the same manner as stress eating in humans. This can go two ways.
They can lose all interest in food, or they can indulge in overeating. If you notice your dog consuming more or less food than is usual for them, then take it to a vet immediately. This can be very harmful for dogs, leading to weight gain or bloating.
9. Sudden changes in Bathroom Habits
A dog that’s been well-trained will not engage in inappropriate urinating or defecating habits. However, too much stress can cause their routines to go haywire.
An anxious dog can start defecating in improper places, oblivious to the ways they have been trained. But this is no accident. Your dog is doing it so that it can have your attention.
It is essentially a cry for help. They are trying to communicate to you that something isn’t right with them. Many people make the mistake of taking this as misbehavior and punishing their dog. Make sure you don’t do this. Instead, try to understand what’s causing the behavior.
Conclusion
If you find that your dog is exhibiting any of the above behaviour, don’t be baffled. Try to observe what kind of situations are causing them to behave in this manner.
Note the patterns, if there are any. Try to identify the trigger. We are not simply their owners, but more like their parents. Therefore, it’s up to us to take charge when something appears to be troubling them.
Keeping a level head is the best way to find a solution. If you enjoyed reading, get back to us with your thoughts.
Has your pet ever been in such situations? If yes, then how were you able to deal with it? We await your response.
