Stress in Dogs (Pets)

Sometimes the question can be… is it stress or is it fun?  And was it caused by my Pet-Parent?  h/t to the pet stress blog for photo 1 & the  UCLA Shutterbug Photo 2

Stress in Dogs (Pets)

Stress is one of greatest factors affecting the behavior of both humans and animals, and they both react to each other’s stress.  Stress levels of dogs or their humans, as well as most other animals, can completely change the dynamic or the relationship the behavior of both, which unfortunately only makes the stress worse.

Stress is the cause of many aggressive behaviors (such as barking, lunging, biting or nipping… especially around food or toys).  You can prevent these behaviors by monitoring your dog’s level of stress.  And you can monitor your dog’s level of stress, by reading your dog’s stress signals. Removing your pet from the situation that is causing them stress is always the best suggestion and remedy, but understandably, not always possible.

The following behaviors usually signal stress in dogs and most pets:

Slow Tail Wag.  A slow tail wag is NOT friendly.  It is a sign of stress.

Tail tucked between hind legs.  This behavior probably signals fear.  Fear is an extreme form of stress.  

Being unable to eat.  If your dog took food a moment ago, and abruptly will not take food, evaluate the dog’s environment and see what maybe causing stress.  Immediately move the dog away from the source of stress, to prevent triggering of possible aggressive behavior.  

Being unable to play.  If your dog is normally playful and suddenly can’t play, it is likely that your dog is stressed.  Again, immediately remove your dog from the situation he or she is in.  

Low ear carriage.  Scan the area for a probable source of stress, if you find the source, move away from it and watch how your dog’s ears respond.  If they lift, then you have done a great job protecting your dog from stress and helped her feel better.  This will increase your dog’s ability to trust you and will deepen your bond with your dog (or cat). 

Blinking of eyes.  Deliberate eye blinking can be a sign that your dog is experiencing stress.  

Squinting of eyes.  Again, this can be a sign of mild stress.  

Holding Breath.  Breath holding can be a precursor to aggressive behavior.  If you notice your dog holding her breath, rapidly remove her from the source of stress in her environment.  

Puffing.  Puffing is when the dog rapidly exhales a small amount of air, that causes her cheeks to puff out.  Puffing is a precursor to aggression.

Stiffness.  Also a precursor to aggression.

Staring.  Another precursor to aggression. 

Panting.  If you notice your dog panting and she is in a potentially stressful situation she may need to be moved away from the stressor.

Urinating. Controlled or uncontrolled urination can be caused by stress.  It is the same dynamic as with young children who wet the bed, soil their pants or withhold voiding.  It is something they can control and get attention for, even if it is negative.

Seizures.  Stress can absolutely cause seizures in dogs.  It is a sign of severe stress or could be Canine Stress Syndrome or one of several other more serious conditions or illnesses.  And yelling at a dog that is already stressed to the point of seizures will only bring them on and make them worse.

Loss of fur, feathers or scales.  Many animals begin to shed or molt when under stress.

Hiding.  Both dogs and cats will hid to avoid stressful situations.  So will some pocket pets if they can move around freely.

Below are SOME of the situations that create doggie stress:

Travel.  Air flight, train travel or extended car trips if it is not something your pet is used to.

New environment. Some dogs hardly notice, but many have a hard time.

New people. Some dogs, like some people, are more sociable than others, but many have a hard time, especially with lots of new people added to a new environment

Feeling that they are not liked or welcome.  God created dogs to please humans.  They have feeling and become aggressive or retreat into themselves if they feel unwanted.  Dogs can become depressed and some will act out, only making the situation worse.

New Home.  Moving to a new home can be traumatic for some dogs and create no problem for others.  If possible, letting them visit their new home before moving there is helpful and advisable.

New or different routine.  Most dogs love a new adventure, but they are also creatures of routine.

The introduction of an additional dog, pet or small child.  A new pet, visiting animal or a new small child or children can be threatening or scary for pets in general.

Changes in food or feeding.  Food is one of the mainstays of a dog’s (pet’s) life.  Changing their type of food, schedule to eat, or having to share food with additional pets can be a very stressful situation.  Occasionally dogs can develop stress from reactions to a new or different food or feeding schedule… or something they ate that they shouldn’t have.

Schedule Changes.  Changing more than one schedule at once, like eating, walking, sleeping, playing or whatever they are used to in their routines can case stress.

Noise. Loud noises, loud voices, new sounds and noise can all be threatening and stressful to dog (pets).

Yelling or Anger, especially unwarranted or unfair corrections. Because the dog’s need and want to be loved and pleased yelling and perceived anger can cause stress along with negative behaviors.

New training. Training can be fun for some dogs and very stressful for others, especially when it doesn’t go well or the dog is not rewarded for its efforts.

Loss of family member:  human or animal.  Dogs and pets in general grieve just like humans and especially grieve for the loss of their human(s).

Illness of Pet.  Illness causes a myriad of side affects for pets, just like for humans.

Illness of Pet Parent or family member.  Illness of a pet parent or family member can cause severe stress in dogs (pets)!

Perceived inequitable treatment of Pet. Dogs like children and most creatures react negatively to inequitable treatment.  If you have more than one dog or more than one dog is living or present in your situation, it is the smart and right thing to do to treat them equally.  Feed them the same.  Take then out and play with them all, etc.  Feeding one dog while other watch is like feeding or sharing with one child and not the others.

Fear. Dogs (pets) like humans have fears that run the gamut and their level of fear cannot be judged by their size, age, situation, or your perception of how they should feel or react… or what they should do.

Anxieties. Like with fears, dogs (pets) like humans have fears that run the gamut and their level of fear cannot be judged by their size, age, situation, or your perception of how they should feel or react… or what they should do.

Unknown or unfamiliar animals or people entering your pet’s perceived territory.  Dogs perceive their house, yard, space outside their car and familiar places as their territory.  It is their natural instinct to protect their property, themselves, other pets (especially dogs because the for a pack) and their humans or family.)

Over-reaction to behaviors.  Over-reacting to negative behaviors or if your dog is acting out, usually produces the opposite affect that you want.  (Also scolding a dog or any pet after the fact… a while after they did something wrong or if you did not see who did it if you have more than one pet is fruitless, unfair and could create greater problems.  A pet cannot connect what they did wrong with the scolding for something they did earleir, even if you take them to the site and point at it.)

New attention or reactions… to good or bad behavior.  laughing at a behavior good or bad, is attention and sometimes will the cause the recurrence because of your reaction.

Lack or exercise.  Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do do for your pet for many reasons, including their health, stress level, behaviors, and boredom level.

Boredom.  Dogs, like all creatures, suffer from boredom and some tend to act out when they are bored.  Exercise, preferably regular walks, as well as one on one time, training, playtime and rides in the car are positives and will help manage their stress… and yours!

Lack or attention or play time.  Lack of interaction or playtime with their or a human or other dogs and pets can create stress because of boredom, inactivity and lack of one on one time.  Because of their nature, dogs need regular interaction more than most pets.

Loss or change of their belongings and space.  Dogs are territorial so they protect their space, belongings and food.  Losing their special niche, pillow, toy. ball or place on the bed or in your life can create stress in most dogs and most other types of pets and animals to some degree.

Extended time without their human(s) or alone time if it is a change.  Dogs and other pets, although unusual, have been known to pine away or even die after the loss of their human or family.  Even temporary, but extended  time away from their pet parents or humans can cause stress in some dogs.  Others adjust just fine.  But for this reason, keeping your dog with a pet sitter is always better than a kennel!

Medications, lack of medication and medical conditions.  Medication, lack of medications or ongoing medical conditions can cause stress in dogs and pets in general, like in humans.  A change in meds can often cause that temporarily. (A relatively unknown fact this that dogs can suffer from ADHD, ADD and other like conditions.  Those pets/animals can portray the same conditions and behaviors as the human counterparts.  And it really must be remembered that they cannot help their behaviors and reactions.)

Even drastic weather or climate changes.  Drastic weather conditions can cause stress because it can cause the inability for them to go outside, or go out often, or to get their regular exercise.  Lightening and thunder can cause fear and stress in animals.  And in some pets dampness, extreme heat or extreme cold can cause the flare up of health problems like arthritis, rheumatism, heat exhaustion, etc as well as stress.

Abuse.  It goes without saying that abuse… physical, emotional, verbal, lack of food and clean water, over-crowding or abuse of any kind causes dogs, humans and all creatures stress and need to be stopped and/or reported immediately!!  Silence and non-action makes us all accomplices!

Reaction to pet-parent’s stress.

If you notice your pet exhibiting any of the stress indicators, try to remove them from the situation. And if your pet experiences more than three of these at a given time and you cannot change the situations or remove your pet, it might take a good while for them to adjust or re-adjust.  It could even require a behaviorist if extreme or undesirable behaviors manifest or persist.  Try to remember that you could be the reason for your pet’s stress!

Remember, the average dog has he mental and emotional capacity of between a two and three year old human child, depending on the individual dog and the breed, but they lack the ability to reason.  Plus you obviously cannot explain to them why things have changed, nor can they communicate what is bothering them.

Let us also remember that barking is a dog’s way of talking… communicating and although too much can be aggravating, it is natural for them to bark!

Patience, love and positive reinforcements are always the best reaction.  Yelling, punishment and anger only confuse them more and add to their stress.

Dogs have the intelligence of a 2 to 3 year old toddler, depending on the breed and the individual dog.  But they lack the power to reason and have no conception of time. Although when you read an article like the one about the Commuting Dogs in Moscow, you gotta wonder!  And, dogs and other animals do have other abilities and intelligence or intuition that we people don’t!  They also have enemies all over the world (Man’s Best Friend in Shariah’s Cruel Crosshairs)

Being a pet parent is like being the parent of a perpetual toddler and some need more patience, understanding and love than others.  Loving the good or perfect ones is easy.  Loving the ones who aren’t so perfect or have special needs is the true test of your love and parenting skills.  It really is a test of your character not their abilities.  Try to remember, the ones that need the most love usually love you back the most if you let them.

Source: Courteous Canine, Inc. 2006   No Force, Just Fun! 

‘Dogs Have The Intelligence of a Human Toddler’

Tails of Love

GoD and DoG

Dogs and Heaven

On the First Day God Created the Dog!

Until One Has Loved an Animal, Part of Their Soul Remains Unawakened

My Goal in Life

The No Kill Movement

*Birds tend to suffer from more stress than most and the holidays provide stress for most pets!

By Marion Algier  -  h/t to the pet stress blog for photo 1 & the  UCLA Shutterbug Photo 2