These are signals which are a classification all of their own. Stress signals, sometimes called calming signals, are a special grouping of behaviors a dog shows indicating that he is uncomfortable.
Top 10 Stress Signals Observed in a Pet Care Facility
- Closed mouth
- Change in breathing
- Diarrhea
- Dilated pupils
- Excessive shedding and / or dandruff
- Half-moon eyes
- Lip licking
- Look away
- Vocalizations
- Restlessness
Causes of Stress
There is a wide range of reasons why dogs get stress…just like humans. Humans show stress for many different reasons. You will notice that many of the items listed here are common in pet care facilities. A new environment can cause stress for some dogs and the stress that they fell can quickly compound. We want to help the dog relax and reduce their stress.
- New or unfamiliar environments
- Too much noise
- Being alone
- Hunger
- Thirst
- Need to eliminate
- No energy outlet
- Pain and illness
- Overstimulation
Often dogs will come to our facility and lodge by themselves so they are alone. For this reason we like to provide activities, mental stimulation, and extra human contact for these dogs. Some dogs are on the other side of that coin in that they are uncomfortable being with strangers. The same is true of boredom and overstimulation. They are two sides of the same coin. See dogs will show stress out of boredom, whereas other dogs will get over-stimulated with all the things they see and hear in the pet care environment and that causes them stress.
There are similar things at either ends of the spectrum that can both cause stress to different dogs. That’s why we really have to focus on each dog as an individual and read their specific body language. Our goal is to find the balance between the different options. You do that by watching the dog’s body language for cues on how they are feeling.