Though many things can cause stress in dogs, there are some noticeable signs that they’re stressed out. If you want your dog to live longer and avoid a growling or barking dog whose teeth have been bared at you, learn how to detect the symptoms of stress in your canine friends!
The first sign of a stressed-out dog is the eyes – or rather, lack thereof! Dogs don’t blink as much as we do – if they did so more often, their eyes wouldn’t dry out so quickly. However, when dogs are very nervous or upset, they tend to blink quite frequently. It’s almost like watching bottled water being shaken up.
A stressed dog may also have dilated pupils. Their eyes will get bigger when they are frightened or upset about something, which makes them look even more adorable than usual! It helps them see better so they can react quickly to any dangers around them.
Another sign of a dog who is stressed out is excess saliva. This may seem like a little thing, but it can quickly get messy. A stressed dog will salivate because the extra moisture helps them cool down when they get too nervous or upset. You might notice that your dog’s mouth starts to water and they begin drooling before you take them anywhere in the car or introduce them to others, for example. Also, if you’re petting your dog and they start to lick their lips often, watch out! They could be trying to swallow saliva to relieve the stress they’re feeling from being touched by another person.
Unfortunately for pet owners, there are some other physical symptoms of stress in dogs that are not always cute and endearing. For example, some dogs will drool excessively when they’re nervous (that saliva again!) while others might vomit. Sick dogs are more likely to have diarrhea, too, but you shouldn’t assume that all dogs who get sick are showing symptoms of stress.
Dogs also sweat from their paw pads. Have you ever noticed a moist patch on top of your carpet where your pup has been sitting or laying on it? If you touch that area on a hot summer day, you’ll notice that the paw pad sweat feels warm on your skin. This is because dogs have sweat glands in their paw pads, just like people do on the palms of their hands!
Avoid your pups getting stressed out by knowing the signs. For more information, contact us here at Dog Training Now Charleston. We are here, ready to help you and your dog become a happier pack.
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