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Identifying Stress in your Dog
Just how we humans communicate through speech, dogs communicate through gestures. When we are in trouble or in stress, we can speak to a friend or a family member about it. But did you know that dogs can also feel stressed and that they convey everything through gestures? As a pet owner, you will definitely know how your dog behaves normally, and how she behaves when she uncomfortable. But did you know that there are particular signs that you have to notice to know if your dog is stressed or not? No? Then you need to learn about the signs that dogs use to express themselves so as to know if your dog is stressed.
Loss of appetite, excessive shedding, and digestive disturbance are some of the obvious signs that you can observe to know if she is under some stress. However, the other more subtle signs that you often miss could be sweaty palms, excessive grooming, mouthing, panting, etc.
Some signs are easy to identify while others can be difficult, and that is why this infographic will come in handy for any pet parent who is interested to know if their dog is happy or under a lot of stress.
Some of the common causes of stress can be a change in the environment. For example, if you have just moved into a new place, then it can be stressful for your dog to get used to that place. If you know about these signs, you can help your dog get adjusted to the new place faster. If your dog is missing one of the family members, for example, if your child has moved out for higher education, and if your dog was very attached to him/her, it can show signs of stress. If you have just brought in another new pet say a new puppy or a kitten, your dog can be stressed with the inclusion of this new member. Hence it is very important to know how your dog reacts to different situations and what are the stress signs to look out for.
This infographic from Top Dog Tips also gives you some great tips on how to help out your stressed dog. Spending more time together with her can make her ease her stress of missing her favorite buddy, your child. Regular exercise and playtime can help her get accustomed to the new environment she is in. Providing her with a balanced diet and a safe zone like a canal with bed, crate, or blanket can make all the difference.
Dogs are as sensitive as us human beings but since they cannot speak their mind to let you know how they feel, it is up to the pet parents to understand how the dog feels and to meet their needs and comfort them just like a child. Preventing stressors as much as possible and taking care to check frequently if your dog is under stress, responding to it with compassion and love will let you have a dog that is happy and stress-free.
