Dogs can experience stress, as humans can.
Dogs can feel stress as humans can. Changes in environmental conditions, such as nearby workmen making a lot of noise with machinery, fireworks and thunderstorms are all examples of conditions that can be stressful for animals, including dogs. Dogs cannot, of course, tell us what is troubling them, but they rely on us to recognize the signs that they are not comfortable. While individual dogs may show symptoms of stress in different ways, there are certain tell-tale signs you can look out for.
Unusual Behaviour
Common behavioural signs that might mean that a dog is feeling stressed include sudden sitting or lying down, according to the My Dog Gone Natural website. A dog that begins to chew on itself, or seems to constantly stop in the middle of doing something, even just walking, to engage in a lengthy scratching session might also be stressed. A dog that is restless and walks in circles may be displaying stress, and if your dog suddenly begins to bite its leash when you put it on, that can also be a sign.
Bodily Signs
Canine stress can manifest in the way a dog carries itself. Moving slowly, with its tail held lower than normal, or even right between its back legs is often an indicator that a dog is distressed about something. A tense body, with all the muscles and joints stiff, can be a sign of stress, but some dogs also react by becoming extremely lethargic and soft, almost as though they are submitting to whatever is upsetting them. Sometimes, a dog's ears can be flattened right back against its head, and this is a sign that it might be experiencing anxiety, as is a "doggy smile," where the dog curls the corners of its mouth back and shows its teeth without growling or snarling. This is sometimes accompanied by faster than normal tail wagging.
Mouth and Vocalization
A stressed dog will often bark continuously but not focused on any particular subject. Dogs left alone in yards for long periods can bark in this way. Some dogs make high-pitched yelping noises to indicate stress, and some even whimper. Whimpering accompanied by shivering is a sure sign of canine stress. A dog that is panting when it is not hot enough for it to normally pant is likely to be stressed. Another sign is a white coated tongue, which happens when the dog's mouth dries up. A stressed dog might also continually lick its nose and lips.
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