3 Signs That Your Dog Is Stressed. Illustration: Petepop
Just like you, your dog can experience stress. When dogs are stressed, they become tense or distant, and their owners may wish their dogs could tell them verbally what’s wrong.
According to Emma Grigg, an animal behavior expert at UC Davis, better understanding a dog’s behavior can play a significant role in its well-being.
“It makes us more compassionate when they do something we don’t like if we can understand what’s triggering that behavior,” she explained in an interview with UC Davis Magazine.
Here are some ways your dog might express stress or anxiety:
1. Withdrawing
This is a sign that a dog is afraid of a particular situation. Some dogs withdraw from what’s stressing them (such as an unwanted hug). At other times, a dog may slightly turn its head away while keeping its eyes fixed on a person or object.
According to the expert, dogs might do this to pretend that the stressor doesn’t exist or to signal that they want the interaction to stop.
2. Becoming tense
“When [dogs] suddenly become very quiet and tense, it’s a major sign that they’re uncomfortable,” Grigg explained.
Many dog owners may think a tense dog is being stubborn or dramatic, but in reality, the dog may be anxious or irritated.
Relaxed dogs tend to be loose and playful, the expert noted, so if a dog suddenly becomes tense, it may indicate discomfort.
3. Closing the mouth tightly
“A happy dog will have an open, relaxed mouth with its tongue hanging out,” Grigg pointed out. On the other hand, a dog with its mouth tightly closed may be feeling very uncomfortable in a certain situation or environment. “This sign is subtle and can be easy to miss,” the expert added.
This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
