Hey there, fellow dog lovers! Boop here, and today we're diving into a topic that's super important for our furry friends: anxiety. Just like us, dogs can experience anxiety, and it's crucial to recognize the signs and know how to help them feel better. Let's get started!
How to tell if your dog is feeling anxious
Recognizing fear or anxiety in your dog can really help you avoid situations that are difficult for them.
Many dog body language signals are subtle and often happen very quickly so it can be easy to miss them. You need to consider your dog’s whole body and the context of the situation.
It's also useful to recognize the signs that your dog is relaxed, so you'll also know when they’re not feeling this way.
If you see any of the signs below, consider what might be causing your dog to behave in this way, and how you can help them to feel better. There may be various ways you could manage the situation, including calmly moving your dog away from something worrying them, or ending an activity and leaving your dog alone.
Understanding Your Dog's Body Language
One of the first steps is understanding what your dog is trying to tell you. Dogs communicate through body language, and learning to read it can help you spot anxiety early. Remember, these signals can be subtle and happen quickly, so pay close attention to the whole picture.
Slowing Down
If your dog becomes unsure about something, they tend to slow down as they try to learn more about it.
Leaning Away and Lip-Licking
If you notice your dog leaning away from something or someone, or if they're frequently licking their lips (when they haven't just eaten!), they might be feeling anxious. Dogs can find making direct eye contact intimidating, so you might see your dog turning their head away from whatever is troubling them.
Crouched Body
A dog that's feeling anxious might crouch down low to the ground, trying to make themselves smaller. Some dogs may cower and tuck their tail under to make themselves look as small and insignificant as possible. Others might hold their tail straight upright so that people and other dogs can’t miss the fact that they’re communicating they’re unsure.
Paw Lift
Dogs might stop and look towards something that is causing them fear or anxiety. If your pup suddenly stops and lifts a paw, especially if they're looking intently at something, it could be a sign of unease.
Approaching with a Lowered Body
A dog might want to approach a person, animal, or object to interact or investigate, but show signs they are feeling worried at the same time. They might approach and then retreat because they feel conflicted.
Appeasement Grin
A dog might show an ‘appeasement grin’, also referred to as a ‘submissive grin’ or ‘smile’. This is different to an aggressive display of teeth, and they may initially show this behaviour when they are trying to diffuse social conflict.
Other Signs to Look Out For
Shaking: You might see your dog give a full-body shake. Think about what was happening just before they did this, as it’s likely that they found it challenging and are now ‘shaking it off’.
Panting: Some dogs will start to pant – completely unrelated to temperature or exercise. Unsure dogs might also tremble or shiver even when they aren’t cold.
Pacing: Your dog might start to pace or be unable to stay still or settle down. They might also be very easily startled and jumpy.
Jumping, Pawing, or Mouthing: Your dog might become suddenly very active and seek attention from you by jumping up, pawing at you, or even mouthing or mounting when they wouldn’t normally.
Difficulty Following Commands: They might find it difficult to follow well-known requests, like “sit” because the stress response in their body makes it harder to stay still or concentrate.
Treat Taking Issues: You might find your dog grabs a treat from your hand when they would usually take it gently. They might even refuse to take it at all.
Hiding: Your dog might move away or actively try to avoid whatever is worrying them. Bear in mind that in some situations it might be you that they are worried about, or someone you are with, such as a veterinary surgeon. Some dogs will try to hide or withdraw from a situation. Others might bolt when frightened, which can be highly dangerous.
Displacement Behaviors: For example, a dog might suddenly stop, sit down, and start scratching with intensity when something in their surroundings is worrying them. They could also start sniffing about and licking themselves repeatedly.
Signs a Dog Needs Space Immediately
Sometimes, a dog's anxiety can escalate. If you see these signs, it's crucial to give them space and remove the source of their stress immediately.
Appeasement Roll
A dog might show an ‘appeasement roll’, also referred to as a ‘submissive roll’. The dog rolls onto their side or back to show that they pose no threat. This is very different to a dog rolling over to have their tummy tickled. The dog could escalate to showing more defensive behaviours (like growling or snapping) if the person or animal continues to approach or interact with them in this context.
Lunging Forwards or Freezing
When a dog is feeling very threatened by something, they might lunge forwards and even growl, bark, and snap at whatever it is. Dogs do this in an attempt to increase the distance between themselves and the thing that is frightening them. A dog might freeze or move very slowly. They may 'air-snap' as a warning, or bite.
Signs of Frustration
It's important to also recognise signs of frustration. Common frustration- related behaviours include jumping up, barking, mouthing or pawing at a person, another dog, or an object.
Why Might Dogs Show Aggression?
When dogs show aggression it’s usually a clear sign that they’re frightened and feel that they’re in direct threat.
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