I get stressed out all the time. You probably get stressed out sometimes, too, right? It's not a great feeling, and when we get stressed we often try to find ways to decrease our stress levels.


It's no different for your dog!


And because we know how it feels to be stressed out, we want to help alleviate that feeling for our beloved canines.


But how can you tell if your pup is stressed? It's not always as obvious as you might think.


In this post, we'll go over some signs of stress in dogs, as well as some things that you can do to help your pup feel better.

Signs and Symptoms

Some signs of stress in dogs might be vocal, but most of them are going to be seen in your pup's body language. Some signs will be obvious, while others might be super subtle.

Here's a list of some main indicators that your dog is stressed or has anxiety:

Growling, Whining, or Barking
Growling makes it fairly obvious that your dog is upset about something. Whining and barking, however, aren't so obvious. Dogs whine and bark about a lot of things!

Restlessness
It may be a sign that your dog is stressed if they just can't "settle down." Pacing is also very common in a stressed pooch. It might be normal for your pup to pace for short periods of time at certain times of the day (like meal time!). But if you notice restlessness for prolonged periods or at odd times, it's a good indication that your dog is stressed out.

Lip-licking, Yawning, or Drooling
These are all signals that your pup is nervous and is trying to calm themselves. Your pup might also be trying to send signals indicating that they are not trying to be threatening. Yawning when stressed looks a little different than when your pup is tired. Stressed yawns are typically larger & longer than sleepy yawns.

Shaking or Shivering
You know how dogs shake water off of their bodies after a bath? They might also shake like that when they're stressed. For example, you might see your pup shake like that after an examination at their veterinary office.

Shivering can be normal for some dogs (like my teeny tiny chihuahua). But it's also an indicator of stress.

Changes in Eyes, Ears, & Body Posture
Sometimes a stressed dog will open their eyes really wide (so you can see the whites of their eyes). They might pin their ears back flat against their head. Stress might cause them to shift their weight to their rear legs. They might also tuck their tails.

Incontinence
Have you ever been so nervous that you suddenly had to go to the bathroom really badly? That happens to dogs, too. A stressed pup may have sudden diarrhea. Or, they might suddenly have a pee or poop accident.

Hiding or Avoidance
It's a pretty good indicator that your pup is stressed if they move behind you to hide, or if they dive under or behind a piece of furniture.

Avoidance can look a lot like your pup is ignoring you. On purpose. And while it might hurt your feelings, this behavior is a much better alternative to aggression.

Inappropriate Chewing or Destruction
Dogs chew inappropriately and destroy items for a variety of reasons. But a main reason could be stress - especially separation anxiety. While this behavior is aggravating, it's important to remember that your dog is not doing this to spite you.
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Now That I Know My Dog Is Stressed, How Do I Help?

The number one best way that you can help your pup in stressful situations is to know them well enough to know what "abnormal" behavior is for them. When you know what your dog is like when they are relaxed and having a regular day, then you'll be better able to recognize and differentiate stressed behavior from normal behavior. For example, if your dog is drooling, you'll have a better idea whether it's because they're hungry or because they're stressed out.


This might sound like the obvious statement of the year, but the best thing to do when your pup is stressed is to remove them from the stressful situation. Once your dog is in a more familiar space, they can calm down and regroup. Be comforting to your pup, but not overly so. Your dog actually might calm down faster and more easily if you ask them for routine things (like "sit," "lie down," "come here," etc.).


And make sure to watch your own behavior during this time. Dogs can read your body language and your tone better than you think they can! When you're reassuring your pup after a stressful situation, stay calm, and use a nice, happy tone of voice. Don't stare at them intently. And make sure your requests are clear.


You know how "the experts" say that exercise is a great stress reliever for humans? Yep, it's no different for dogs. Playing fetch or tug-of-war, or going for a walk are just a few ways to help your dog relieve stress. Honestly, these things will probably help both of you to relieve stress!


If you ever become worried about your pup's stress levels, or if your dog seems chronically stressed, don't hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian. Your vet can rule in or rule out any potential medical reasons for the stress. If no medical issues are determined, your vet might have you consider giving your pup some prescribed anti-anxiety medication.


Once medical issues have been ruled out, you can also seek behavioral help for your dog's anxiety. Veterinary behaviorists and/or dog trainers should be able to provide you with some guidance on how to help your beloved canine companion.

In Closing

If you're still reading this, I have to assume that you're the kind of dog owner who wants to help your pup get through stressful times. And the good news is, there is a lot that you can do to help.


Knowing what is normal for your dog, and knowing what isn't, is hands down going to be your best weapon here. Figure out what their triggers are, and do your best to eliminate them.


While some pups might have anxiety issues for life, others might be able to learn to work through their stress and learn that certain things aren't actually so stressful after all.


If you are looking for extra help to extinguish anxious behaviors in your pooch, I'm just a phone call or message away! Click below to connect with me!

Breanne Wiggins
Breanne Wiggins

I hope this post was helpful and that you enjoyed reading it. I share training tips and canine facts that are designed to help you learn more about your pup and to help you learn how to train your pups successfully at home! Please share any content ideas that you would like for me to create for you! I can help you train animals whether you are near or far, so feel free to contact me for more info!

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