Stress in dogs
Not only humans can experience stress, dogs can suffer from it too. Stress is even a common problem among our loyal four-legged friends. It is important to recognize stress in your dog as soon as possible so you can do something about it. Stress can cause unpleasant situations and/or negatively affect your dog's health.
How can you recognize stress?
Dogs communicate through their bodies. By observing their body language, it is possible to recognize signs of stress. It is therefore important to identify the body language associated with stress. This way, you can find out what causes stress in your dog and take action. But what body language shows that a dog is experiencing stress?
- Whining or barking. Both whining and barking can be signs of stress. A dog often reacts automatically to stress by whining or barking; it is usually an automatic response that the animal cannot control. Assess the situation carefully when a dog starts whining or barking, as there are other reasons that can cause this behavior (for example, to announce its presence, warn, or ask for attention).
- Growling. Although many people think a growling dog is aggressive, this is not always the case. Growling can also be a sign of discomfort. In this way, a dog tries to make clear that something or someone is too close, that it is in pain, or that it feels threatened.
*Try not to punish your dog when it growls. Growling is often a warning signal indicating that a dog may attack. If you punish the animal, it may skip the growling (the warning) next time and go straight to attacking. - When a dog is startled, for example during a walk, it may freeze or become stiff. This is often a ‘dangerous’ situation because your dog does not know how to handle it. Biting or attacking may be the next step…
- A dog can show stress through various signals such as: ears laid flat or back against the neck, tail tucked between the legs, licking its lips, yawning, panting, showing the whites of its eyes, looking away/avoiding eye contact, and raising the hairs on its neck.
In addition to the body language mentioned above, the following movements/postures can also indicate that your dog is stressed:
- Restlessness
- Reduced appetite
- Poor concentration
- Trembling
- Raised front paw
Possible causes of stress
A dog can experience stress as a result of various situations or changes. The following situations can cause stress:
- Pain
- Too high expectations of a dog (for example during training)
- Separation anxiety
- Traumas (for example if your dog has ever been attacked by another dog)
- Sudden changes in the environment
- Too much or too little exercise
The consequences of stress
When a dog suffers from stress for a long time, it can have unpleasant consequences. The animal can become more susceptible to illnesses or lose concentration more quickly. Possible consequences of stress include:
- Damage to the immune system
- Digestive problems
- Heart problems
- Aggression
If you can identify the source of stress, you can remove it. However, it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of stress on your own. In that case, it is possible to consult a behavior therapist. You might consider a behavior therapist if your dog is very aggressive or has an extreme form of separation anxiety.
Additionally, there are certain supplements that can help reduce stress in your loyal four-legged friend. Always consult with a veterinarian or holistic doctor to see if the supplements you want to use are suitable for your dog. Also, always choose products developed with natural ingredients.
Prevention is better than cure! Therefore, always make sure your dog can expend its energy through sufficient walking and playing.
