Living in a stressful situation is not pleasant for any living being, neither for us nor for our dogs. That is why we must always observe the signs of stress in the dog to put a quick solution to that unpleasant situation that the animal is experiencing. Now, what are those signs of stress in the dog that tells us that he is not having a good time? Let’s get to know them.
Keep in mind that going through a long period of stress can be a serious health problem, that is, stress will lead to another condition that will influence your well-being and health. That is why it is necessary to be alert when an animal begins to behave strangely.
Signs of stress in the dog
Hyperactivity
It is true that some breeds of dogs are more active than others, but all, at some point of the day, come to calm down. This does not happen when an animal is under stress as they are always hyperactive and alert. Hyperactivity prevents them from being calm and over time, if they continue to be this way, they can begin to nibble the corners of furniture or shoes, like when they were a puppy and their teeth began to come out, in order to free this tension that they have built up.
Appearance of repetitive movements
Repetitive movements in dogs are called stereotypies and are very common in dogs suffering from stress. These movements are done without a specific purpose, such as biting the tail.
These repetitive habits can be one of those signs of stress in the dog that we must attend to as soon as we identify it.
More intense reactions
As we have mentioned before, each dog has a character and yours may already eat things from the ground, but this can be one of the symptoms that stress shows in dogs. Barking nonstop or reacting badly to other dogs can also be some signs.
In general, dogs with stress live everything with more tension and in a more intense way, so their behavior will also be much more acute.
Salivation exaggerates
The salivation exaggerated is another sign of stress in the dog. It is true that there are dogs that tend to salivate a little more than others, but, as a general rule, salivation is not extreme in a normal situation. If there is excessive salivation or licking, it is possible that behind that is a small problem.
Lack of attention
There are clueless dogs, we know that, but dogs that are stressed tend to have an excessive tendency to inattention. The general nervousness they suffer makes them have great difficulty concentrating on one point and following our orders. Of course, if your dog is like this since he was little, it may not be a stress problem, but an attention deficit problem . In these cases, the best option is to consult with the veterinarian or with a trained trainer what you have to do to make up for this lack of attention from the animal.
Loss of hair
We humans often have significant hair loss when we are stressed, so why should it be any different in our four-legged friends? That is why another of the signs of stress in the dog is usually hair loss . Of course, it usually occurs in cases of chronic stress , that is, in dogs that have stress on a regular basis.
In these situations it is possible that the animal also tends to pull out its hair or to lick itself continuously. In any case, consult a specialist to see where the problem lies.
Exaggerated panting
The pant is the way dogs get expel heat from the body, i.e dogs ‘ sweat’ by the tongue. That is why it is very normal to see a dog with its tongue sticking out after intense activity. What is not common is seeing a dog pant when lying down. It is in these cases when we must worry and think about stress.
By panting, the animal expels that tension it feels. This situation may be accompanied by laments or sounds that signal sadness in the animal.
Change in behavior
One of the most revealing signs of stress in the dog is the change in behavior. It is very rare for an adult dog to change its way of being and that is why this symptom is so important.
Stressed dogs often start to develop behaviors they have never shown before. They can become aggressive, shy, and even depressive across the board. That is why this is one of the symptoms that should be taken into account the most to make the diagnosis.
Rigidity
A stiff state does not indicate anything good in a dog as it is not its natural state. When stressed, dogs tend to be more tense and rigid than usual, especially in those situations where they feel stressed and threatened. At this time it is common to see that its tail and legs are in a defense position.
How to eliminate stress in the dog?
Eliminating stress in the dog can be a long and complicated process, especially if it is not done with an expert. Therefore, we always recommend having a canine educator to eradicate stress in dogs once and for all.
Remember to pay attention to the signs of stress in the dog that we have seen to know if your dog is stressed or not. Sometimes these are momentary tics, so watch closely to make sure that your dog is in a stressful situation that prevents him from being comfortable and calm.
