top of page
Writer's pictureSmart Dog Training

Is your Dog Stressed or Anxious?

Updated: Nov 11, 2023

How to tell and what to do.


Cavalier King Charles Spaniel settled on carpet

🤷🏻‍♂️ How can I tell? 📝

🐕 Our dogs get stressed and anxious just like us. Perhaps your dog’s behaviour has been out of character lately.

👁 How have they been behaving?

✅ Have they been playing up or acting out?

😳 Maybe they’ve been tense or have frozen up?

🧸 Have they been unusually needy or withdrawn?


A Pug dog wrapped up in a blanket on a bed

🌡 Symptoms can include:

📣 Unjustified barking

🥘 Lack of appetite

💩 Wind, bloating, diarrhoea/constipation

🐕 Abnormal shedding / dandruff

🤤 Excessive drooling


😱 If only our dog's could tell us how they're feeling! 📣

🐕 Fortunately all dogs are masters of communication using body language.

🐾 All the signs are there if you know what to look for…

⚠️ 10 Signs your dog is feeling stressed or Anxious! 🚨

1. Tail tucked under

2. Tensed up muscles 🆘

3. Position of ears: rigid or flattened (‘pinned back’)

4. Excessive scratching

5. Excessive lip or nose licking 🐶

6. Excessive yawning or panting 👅

7. Excessive pacing 🐕

8. Showing the whites of their eyes (called ‘whale-eye’ or ‘side-eye’ 👀 They’re not judging you they’re stressed!)

9. Lip curling: showing gums/teeth (before snarling/growling/snapping) 😬

10. Trembling or shivering 🥶


Dalmatian dog tongue flicking licking own nose

🤷🏻‍♂️ What is making my dog stressed or anxious? 😱

⚠️ Stress and anxiety can be caused by a number of factors, these can include:

🕰 Lack of a routine/disruption (to walking/feeding times)

😐 Boredom or frustration

🤯 Being overwhelmed (groups of unknown dogs)

🖐 Strangers hands petting (adults/children)

📣 Strange noise/s

😱 Separation related issues / isolation distress

😳 Hyper attachment to one person

😭 Previous traumatic experiences (doggy PTSD)

🤬 Your own mood

🐕 A lack of dog training


A working Collie dog stalking herding

🤷🏻‍♂️ What can I do to help my dog?

👀 Now you know what to look for when your dog is showing signs of stress and anxiety…


🙋🏻‍♂️ Hire a pro dog trainer! 🆘

👉 Get Expert Advice and Support.

🐕 A certified dog trainer can help you to avoid inadvertently making your dog more stressed and anxious; by teaching your dog how to cope and behave appropriately under stress.

😰 Untrained dogs suffer needless anxiety trying to understand what it is their owners want from them.


Portrait of a Golden Retriever dog yawning isolated background

🤔 Can my dog's stress and anxiety be cured? 💊

👨🏻‍⚕️If you think your dog is stressed and is displaying signs of anxiety the First Thing To-Do is consult your Vet.

💊 Solution and remedies are available! 👍

👩‍⚕️ Learn what supplements and approaches your vet and trainer can recommend to help your dog cope better in life.

🕯 There is hope for your dog, if you would like to know more:


☎️ Contact us here today to discuss the next steps on your dog’s journey to a stress free life.



233 views0 comments

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating

Book an Appointment

Ready to start training with us? We can't wait to meet with you and pup to achieve lasting results and a happier, healthier relationship. Simply book online, choose a date and time that works best for you, enter your details and we'll be in touch soon.

bottom of page