Feeling the Strain

Do dogs feel stress?

Stress is a commonly used word that describes feelings of strain or pressure. There are many causes of stress. People are stressed about meeting new people, speaking in public, problems on the job, or when their normal daily routine is disrupted.

Dogs become stressed, too. The signs of anxiety in dogs may be subtle. Sometimes stress-related behaviors mimic normal behaviors, such as shaking or pacing. Depending on the level of stress and how it affects a particular dog, certain situations may cause anxiety so severe that the dog is unable to eat, drink or move. Loud noises, fireworks, new places or a change in routine are a few of the more common things that trigger stress in dogs.

What are some indications of stress in dogs?

Whining or barking – Dogs that are afraid or tense may whine or bark to self-soothe or to get your attention. Vocalization is a normal form of self-expression in dogs, but may be intensified when they are under stress.

Yawning, drooling or licking – Dogs yawn when they are bored or tired, but they also yawn when they are stressed. A stressful yawn is more prolonged and intense than a sleepy yawn. Dogs may drool and lick excessively when nervous.

Changes in eyes and ears – Just like stressed people, stressed dogs may have dilated pupils and blink rapidly. They may open their eyes wide and show more of the white of the eye (sclera) than usual, giving them a startled appearance. Ears that are usually relaxed or alert are pinned back against the head.

Changes in body posture – When scared, dogs may tuck their tails or become rigid. Normally dogs stand with their weight evenly distributed on all four legs. When a healthy dog with no orthopedic problems shifts his weight to his rear legs or cowers, it is a sign of stress.

Shedding – Shedding increases when a dog is anxious. I can attest to this based on the large amount of fur we sweep up every day at the animal hospital.

Panting – Dogs pant when hot, excited or stressed. If your dog is panting even though it is cool and he has not exercised, he may be experiencing stress.

Changes in bodily functions – Nervous dogs may feel a sudden urge to urinate and/or defecate. Many dogs will express their anal glands when confronting a stressful situation. Refusing to eat or drink can also indicate anxiety.

Avoidance or displacement behavior – When faced with a difficult situation, dogs may “escape” by focusing on something else. They may sniff the ground, lick their privates, or simply turn away. This can be their way of dealing with stress, by not dealing with it.

Hiding or escape behavior – As an extension of avoidance, some nervous dogs literally hide behind their owners when stressed. They may even nudge their owners to prompt them to move along. As a means of escape, they may engage in diversion activities such as digging or circling or may slink behind a tree or parked car.

Obsessive behaviors – Behavioral changes such as pacing, chewing objects, licking, obsessive overgrooming and spinning can be a manifestation of stress in dogs.

Aggression – Some dogs exhibit aggressive behaviors when stressed. These behaviors may include growling, lunging, snapping or biting.

How can I help my dog handle stressful situations?

If you are familiar with your dog’s normal behavior, you should be able to tell whether or not he is stressed. For example, is he licking his lips because he is anxious or because he wants a treat? A stressed dog should not be punished or reprimanded, as this will likely make the situation worse.

When possible, it is helpful to remove the source of stress or take the dog away from the stressful situation or location. Provide a quiet place for him to relax and regroup. However, eliminating the source of stress is not always easy. You can’t return the baby or stop the thunder!

You can help by working to desensitize and counter-condition your dog to his stressors. Provide plenty of fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. Mental stimulation through interactive and puzzle-type toys and games eliminates boredom. Massage and calming music have also been shown to reduce stress.

Dogs that tend to be anxious do well in a stable environment with a predicable, steady, routine schedule. Calming pheromones such as Adaptil can be given. Supportive garments, such as the Thundershirt, are helpful, especially in situations that arise quickly, like storms and unexpected fireworks.

If none of these measures seems to be working, medical intervention may be necessary. Your veterinarian can prescribe one of several effective anti-anxiety medications.

Does my stress affect my dog?

Yes. According to scientists, many dogs sense and respond to their owners’ stress. When you feel pressured and anxious, your dog can internalize your emotions and become anxious as well.

A recent research study found that dog owners’ stress levels can significantly influence their dogs’ stress levels. Cortisol is a hormone that people, dogs and other animals release when stressed. The study measured the cortisol concentrations in hair samples from the dog and the owner.

Hair cortisol concentrations were taken from samples cut close to the skin, once in the summer and once in the winter. In both samples, the cortisol levels from the dogs were “synchronized” with their owners.

The results of the study indicated humans experiencing stress had similar cortisol levels to their dogs. Another finding of the study was that owners who spend more time with their dogs have a greater influence on their stress levels. Spending more time together increases the emotional bond between a dog and owner.

If you tend to be a more anxious person, then it is likely your dog will get more stressed than if you are a generally calm individual. This is one reason dog trainers encourage owners to remain calm while their dogs interact with new dogs and people. When you tense up, your dog senses it and may interpret the situation as a dangerous one. Your dog may act out as a result. Owners remaining calm can be especially important at high-stress places like the vet’s office.

Certain breeds tend to be more emotionally sensitive and have a predisposition for stress. This concept provides valuable insight into choosing specific breeds or choosing which puppies in a litter are right for the particular owners. Such information could be useful for placing service dogs or emotional-support dogs.

The study also gives insight into dog-owner stress levels related to exercise and lifestyle. Cortisol is known to be affected by physical activity. To control for this, researchers included both dogs that were primarily pets and companions, as well as dogs that were trained and actively competed in sports like agility.

Both groups of dogs showed cortisol synchronization, but the correlation was even stronger between dogs and owners who competed together. The authors of the study suggest that dogs and owners who train together may be more emotionally bonded by spending additional time together and engaging in shared tasks.

In light of this information, it’s important to take note of your behavior, especially when you are with your dogs, because it could greatly affect the overall health of your dog.