Our puppers can be sensitive souls — after all, they can sense our moods just as well as they can sniff out a stray treat in a pocket.
As a loving pupper parent, it can be really upsetting when your dog is stressed or anxious. But don’t worry, we can help.
Stress is a normal response to something that makes us feel threatened, uncomfortable or anxious and it’s the same for our puppers. Addressing these feelings can help make sure they don’t build up to something more significant.
Although dogs can’t speak, they can tell us a lot through their body language. Once you know how to identify the signs of a stressed dog, you can help them to find their zen again.
What causes stress in puppers?
You may have noticed a change in your dog’s behaviour that’s out of the ordinary. Pups are creatures of habit, so when something at home changes, this can bring on signs of stress.
Before we look at the common signs of a stressed dog, let’s explore three typical stress triggers.
Has your routine changed? Most of us have a daily routine, whether it’s a work pattern or a habit of eating meals at certain times of the day. When you’re on autopilot, your pup also feels reassured by the predictability of your routine. If something alters the normal flow of a day, this can make your dog feel stressed.
Have you introduced something new? Our pups get used to their territory and are usually desensitised to the normal sounds of things like the TV or microwave. When new furniture, new people, and even new kitchen equipment are introduced, our dogs can be wary until they get used to them.
Could it be sensory overload? Dogs have up to 220 million olfactory receptors, which is about 50 for each one we have! They can even smell our emotions and know the difference between when we’re happy and when we’re sad or anxious. There are several smells that dogs hate, including citrus fruit, vinegar and chilli, which might affect your pupper’s behaviour.
Their hearing also has a greater range than ours — except for their selective hearing when it’s time to leave the dog park! Loud or unpredictable noises, like fireworks or vacuum cleaners, can make a dog feel suddenly anxious.
The 10 most common signs of a stressed dog
Worried dogs often display one or more signs of stress, but every dog is different and responds differently to various triggers. Watch for changes in their normal behaviour and check for some of these common signs:
Panting: Puppers don’t have sweat glands, so panting helps them cool down when they’re feeling hot. But they can also pant when they are excited or stressed. Excessive panting can indicate worry or fear. You might also see your dog yawning or drooling a lot.
Posture: A dog’s body language can tell us a lot about how they’re feeling. If they are cowering in a corner or hunched over, they might be afraid and are trying to make themselves smaller to hide from the situation. We do the same when we watch a scary film from behind a cushion, tucked up on the sofa!
Sometimes dogs wag their tails when they’re stressed. Not in the exuberant way they do when they greet you at the door, but low and slow. Their tail could also be tucked under their body.
Shaking: Your pup will often do a full body shake when they’re wet (usually when they’re right next to you!). But if your dog is shaking more often, they might be trying to ‘shake off’ the tension. Trembling is another common response to something fearful, which often looks like they’re shivering.
Eyes: Like us, a dog’s eyes will dilate and widen when they’re worried or afraid, and you may be able to see more of their episclera (the white part). If your dog’s eyes are also bloodshot or redder than normal, this could be linked to an increased heart rate and blood pressure, which boosts blood flow.
Ears: Many dogs pull their ears back when they’re happy and when they’re stressed, so it can be hard to tell the difference. If you see your pup showing this behaviour, watch for other cues too. If their tail is high and wagging, they’re probably very excited. But if they’re hunched over and giving you sad eyes, then they might be feeling anxious.
Energy levels: All pups are different, which is why it’s important to identify any changes to your dog’s normal behaviour. Some puppers become withdrawn and subdued when they’re stressed, while others display heightened energy levels and pace up and down or in circles.
Shedding: Excessive shedding can indicate stress. This is particularly noticeable if your pup lives indoors and it’s not a normal summer shed.
Appetite: Like people, a dog’s appetite can change if they are worried about something. If your pupper chomps down their food with more gusto than normal, or if they suffer inappetence, this could be a stress response.
Hiding: A bit like the changes to a dog’s posture, puppers can engage in escape behaviour. If your pup is hiding under the table or between your legs, they’re trying to find a safe place away from a trigger.
Vocalisation: Frequent whining or barking is an obvious sign of discomfort or worry. Vocalisation is relatively normal behaviour, but if it becomes more intense than usual, it’s worth exploring.
How to calm your stressed dog
Now that you know how to identify the body language signs of stress, there are simple ways to help your pupper release tension and find stress relief.
Identify the dog stressor
Try to identify what is triggering your pupper’s stress and remove it, or lightly guide your pup away from the situation. Don’t try to force them to push through their stress, as this might only make things worse. Give them space to calm down and feel relaxed again.
Lyka’s in-house Veterinarian and Customer Care Specialist, Dr. Darcy Marshall, says the best way to identify stress in your pupper is to become an expert in their body language.
Introduce them to new things slowly
As creatures of habit, they can react to new situations, objects and people if they are introduced too quickly. If your dog is particularly sensitive to new things, gradually increase their tolerance and resilience.
“Your pupper will look to you for trust and guidance when being exposed to new environments. Model the behaviour you want to see in your dog, by creating a calm and positive environment, so your pup reacts in a calm and positive way too!” Says Darcy.
Reassurance and reward
Make sure to offer your furry friend reassurance and positive reinforcement for good and settled behaviour. Try not to over-comfort them, as this might confirm there’s something to fear in the first place.
Give your pupper a safe space
All dogs should have their own easily accessible, calm space. This might be their crate or bed, or another positive space. If your best bud starts to feel stressed, encourage them to relax in their safe space.
Distraction and interaction
If you notice your pup displaying some early signs of stress, distract them by playing a game or going through a training routine like dog push-ups. These habits have a positive familiarity which can help your dog to release tension.
Interactive toys can also be an effective stress reliever to encourage them to take their minds off the stressor and engage with the puzzle instead.
Exercise
Take your pup for a good run or a walk before they are introduced to potential stressors. This will burn off excess energy and release tension so they can deal with the situation calmly.
Is it stress or anxiety?
An individual incident that triggers a stress response is different from anxiety. Some puppers experience shelter anxiety or separation anxiety which can be chronic issues. If you notice prolonged changes in behaviour that could be anxiety, consult your vet.
How can a fresh food diet help your pupper’s stress
Health and well-being start with a complete and balanced diet that provides all the nutrients a pup’s body needs. A healthy diet balances the gut microbiome, which can affect a pupper’s immune system, gut function and balances feelings of stress.
The gut-brain axis is the link between the digestive system and the brain and there’s growing evidence that it regulates feel-good hormones and stress hormones like cortisol.
If your pup is prone to experiencing stress, try assessing their diet to make sure that they are benefitting from good-mood food!
Have you tried Pupper Supps
Lyka meals are vet-formulated and made from 100% human-grade, wholefood ingredients for optimal health and well-being. For more targeted health, our Pupper Supps are a nutritious superfood boost.
Calm Supps are a powerful daily dose to encourage peaceful puppers. Just like our meals, they contain evidence-based ingredients like probiotic BL-999, known to reduce cortisol levels and green tea extract to soothe the mind.
Explore our full range of Supps.
