Stress in dogs is a survival response, similar to humans. It can manifest in four ways: flight, fight, freeze, or fawn. We'll cover various causes of stress, how to recognise your dog's signals, and how to reduce it. A balanced daily routine is key to preventing stress in your dog. Find out more.

What causes stress in dogs?

• Under- or over-stimulation

• Excessive demands, corrections, failures, and unclear communication

• Conflicts, fights, and involuntary isolation

• Lack of control, fear, and anxiety

• Inability to relieve themselves, lack of food/water, or unmet sexual needs

• Over-excitement from high-intensity activities like fetch, agility, or rough play

• Illness and pain

• Sudden changes, such as moving house, a new baby, or a new pet

Signs of stress

Many signs can indicate stress, even those not listed here.

Physical signs

Panting, poor sleep, wide or bloodshot eyes, frequent urination/defecation, stomach issues, increased thirst, flaky skin, or a dull coat. Other signs include emptying anal glands, tense muscles, reduced appetite, and sweaty paws.

Repetitive behaviours

These can include self-harm like biting or excessive licking, unusual scratching, or chasing their tail. Mounting other dogs, people, or objects is almost always a sign of stress.

Behavioural changes

Pacing, restlessness, difficulty relaxing, becoming untrained, sudden aggression, exaggerated reactions, biting the lead or your hands, or destructive chewing.

How dogs manage stress

When stressed, a dog's thinking and learning abilities are impaired. Their emotions become more complex, and moderate behaviour is suppressed. Dogs typically cope in one of two ways: actively responding to their environment (e.g., with aggression) or becoming withdrawn and depressed. If a dog feels in control of a stressful situation, it will likely repeat that coping strategy in the future.

Past experiences shape a dog's coping strategy. However, situations can also lead to feelings of hopelessness or helplessness. If a dog's attempts to cope are consistently met with negative outcomes, it may eventually stop trying.

Reducing stress

To effectively address stress, we need a holistic approach, identifying all triggers. While general advice is provided below, consult a certified canine behaviourist if you suspect your dog is significantly stressed. They can help create a tailored anti-stress plan.

At home

Help your dog relax by providing plenty of chew toys. Increase meal frequency to support nutrition throughout the day. Consider using Adaptil (available in pet shops) to create a calming atmosphere. Ensure your dog has at least four hours of rest between activities, and introduce two completely rest days per week.

Activity and training

Engage in calm games and avoid highly stimulating rewards like fetch. Instead, try hiding toys or scent games. If you're training or competing, consider a break to help your dog find balance. You can reintroduce more strenuous activities later, ensuring adequate rest afterwards.

Discipline

Remove all punishments and strict rules. Focus on a few key areas and avoid nagging. If nagging becomes a habit, find alternative solutions like limiting access to certain areas, using a harness on walks, or enriching your dog's environment.

Exercise

Crucial for managing high stress levels. Walks should allow your dog to explore at its own pace in varied terrain, ideally off-lead or on a long lead. Observe your dog's behaviour post-walk: if they are calm and content with fewer stress-related behaviours, you've found the right balance.