Dogs primarily communicate using body language, so it’s important for humans to understand what they are trying to tell us. Learning our dogs’ special ways of communication can reduce their anxiety and prevent potentially dangerous situations from happening.
Do you ever feel like your dog is acting weird but can’t figure out why? They might be stressed! Just like us humans, dogs experience stress too—but they can’t tell us about it directly. Let’s dive into the world of canine stress and discover how dogs get stressed, what signs to watch for, and most importantly, how to help your furry friend feel better.
How Do Dogs Get Stressed? 12 Common Triggers
Dogs don’t have jobs or bills to pay so what exactly stresses them out? A lot more than you might think! Here are the most common stress triggers in dogs
- Loud noises – Thunderstorms, fireworks, construction work, and even vacuum cleaners can trigger severe stress responses
- Changes in routine – Dogs thrive on predictability and consistency
- Meeting unfamiliar dogs – Not all dogs enjoy socializing (just like some humans!)
- Unfamiliar people – New faces can be scary, especially if your dog wasn’t properly socialized
- Separation from owners – 14-20% of dogs suffer from separation anxiety
- Car journeys – The combination of restriction, noise, and motion can be frightening
- Vet visits – Many dogs quickly associate the vet with uncomfortable experiences
- Change in living arrangements – Moving house or rearranging furniture
- Changes in household members – New babies, pets, or loss of family members
- Lack of exercise – Physical activity is crucial for reducing stress hormones
- Lack of mental stimulation – Boredom can increase anxiety levels
- Being restrained or hugged – Most dogs find tight physical contact stressful
As Richard Cross from The Dog Clinic explains, “It’s hard to imagine that a guest visiting or short car journey for example, can be difficult for a dog to cope with.”
The Science Behind Canine Stress
When a dog feels threatened or anxious, their body releases several key hormones:
- Adrenaline – Prepares the body for “fight or flight” by increasing heart rate and blood sugar
- Cortisol – Increases fatty acids and glucose in the blood
- Testosterone – Released by both males and females during stress (yes, even in neutered dogs!)
These hormones create physical changes like increased blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and respiratory rate While these responses are helpful for short-term threats, they become problematic when your dog experiences chronic stress
23 Signs Your Dog Is Stressed (That You Might Be Missing)
Dogs communicate through body language, and stress signals can be subtle. According to multiple veterinary sources, here are the most common signs to watch for:
Behavioral Signals
- Increased barking or vocalizations – Excessive whining, howling or barking
- Pacing or tail chasing – Repetitive movements can indicate anxiety
- Displacement behaviors – Sniffing the ground, turning away, or genital licking when in uncomfortable situations
- Paw raises – A sign of appeasement when stressed
- Trying to escape – Hiding behind you or under furniture
- Soiling in the house – Even in house-trained dogs
- Destructive behavior – Chewing furniture or doorframes
- Aggression – Growling, snapping, or biting
Body Language Signals
- “Shaking off” – Not just for when they’re wet!
- Tail tucking – Putting tail between back legs
- Tense facial expressions – Tightness around the jaw and furrowed brow
- Yawning – Especially longer, more exaggerated yawns
- “Whale eye” – Showing the whites of the eyes
- Scratching – When not itchy, this can be a stress signal
- Panting – When not hot or after exercise
- Ears pinned back or erect – Depending on your dog
- Lip licking – Not food-related licking
Health and Welfare Signals
- Digestive problems – Diarrhea or constipation
- Reduced appetite – Refusing food or eating less
- Changes in sleep patterns – Sleeping more or having trouble sleeping
- Low energy – Seeming depressed or lethargic
- Excessive shedding – More hair loss than normal
- Hair loss or bald patches – In chronic cases
I’ve noticed with my own dog that excessive lip licking and panting are his first signs of stress during thunderstorms. Each dog will have their own unique stress “language” that you’ll learn to recognize.
Understanding Trigger Stacking
One super important concept to understand is “trigger stacking.” This happens when cortisol (stress hormone) builds up from multiple stressors before your dog has a chance to recover.
For example:
- Your dog is waiting for a walk (+20 stress points)
- Then takes a car ride they don’t enjoy (+30 stress points)
- Gets scolded for pulling on the leash (+20 stress points)
- Now has 70 accumulated stress points
- Then sees another dog (+50 stress points)
- Total: 120 stress points, which pushes them over their threshold (100 points)
This explains why your dog might seem fine meeting dogs at the park normally, but suddenly reacts aggressively to a dog after a stressful day.
How to Help Your Stressed Dog: 7 Proven Strategies
Now for the important part—how to actually help your stressed pup! Here are seven effective approaches:
1. Remove the Trigger
The most immediate solution is to simply get your dog away from whatever’s causing stress. Don’t force them to “get over it” as this only increases stress hormones.
2. Create a Safe Space
Every dog should have a quiet, comfortable retreat where they won’t be disturbed. This could be a crate with a comfy bed, a specific room, or just a corner with their favorite blanket.
3. Establish Consistent Routines
Dogs thrive on predictability. Feed, walk, and play with your dog at similar times each day to provide structure and security.
4. Provide Proper Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Physical activity reduces cortisol and adrenaline while releasing feel-good endorphins. Mental stimulation through puzzle toys, snuffle mats, and training prevents boredom-related stress.
5. Use Positive Reinforcement Training
Punishment increases anxiety. Instead, use rewards-based training to build confidence and a stronger bond with your dog.
6. Try Complementary Therapies
These can include:
- Calming music – Soft rock and reggae are most effective
- Dog Appeasing Pheromones (DAPs) – Available as collars, sprays, and diffusers
- Body wraps – Provide gentle pressure that may release calming endorphins
- Natural supplements – Products like Zylkene contain alpha-casozepine, a milk protein that supports calm behavior
7. Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning
This is a training approach where you gradually expose your dog to a stress trigger at a very low intensity (below their reaction threshold) while pairing it with something positive (usually treats). Over time, you slowly increase the intensity of the trigger.
For example, if your dog is afraid of the vacuum cleaner:
- Start by having the vacuum present but turned off in a distant room
- Give treats and praise when your dog is calm around it
- Gradually move the vacuum closer over multiple sessions
- Eventually introduce the sound at a very low level
- Slowly increase the sound and proximity as your dog remains comfortable
When to See a Vet
If your dog shows chronic signs of stress, schedule a vet visit to rule out medical causes. Pain, inflammation, and diseases can cause anxiety-like symptoms. Your vet might recommend:
- Medical treatment for underlying conditions
- Sessions with a certified dog trainer
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Changes to diet or routine
Preventing Stress in Puppies
The best way to prevent anxiety in adult dogs is proper socialization during puppyhood:
- Expose puppies to new experiences between 3-16 weeks (their critical socialization window)
- Always pair new experiences with treats and praise
- Create positive associations with potentially scary things like car rides and vet visits
- Train your puppy to spend time alone in a crate to prevent separation anxiety
- Establish consistent routines early
Common Questions About Dog Stress
Q: Can my stress affect my dog?
A: Absolutely! Research shows that dogs can detect elevated cortisol levels in humans. When you’re stressed, your dog may become stressed too.
Q: How long does it take for a dog to recover from stress?
A: Cortisol can remain elevated for 24-72 hours after a stressful event. This is why “trigger stacking” is so common.
Q: Can dogs get PTSD?
A: Yes, dogs can develop post-traumatic stress disorder from severe trauma, abuse, accidents, or abandonment. This requires specialized treatment.
Q: Will my dog outgrow anxiety?
A: Probably not without intervention. Anxiety typically worsens over time if not addressed.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how dogs get stressed is the first step toward helping them feel secure and happy. By recognizing the subtle signs of stress and making simple changes to your dog’s environment and routine, you can significantly improve their quality of life.
Remember that every dog is different—what stresses one dog might not bother another at all. The key is learning your individual dog’s stress signals and responding with patience and compassion.
Have you noticed any stress signals in your dog? What techniques have worked best for calming them? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!
Signs of a Stressed Dog
There are several warning signs to look for that will help tell if your dog is stressed.
Growling is an obvious way to tell if your dog is uncomfortable. It could mean that someone is in their space, they feel threatened, or that something hurts. It’s not usually meant to be aggressive but it’s rather often a warning that your dog feels uncomfortable.
Many people try to discourage their dogs from growling. Instead, respect their space or figure out a different way to get what you want from them. For example, if a dog is growling over food, give them space when they eat in peace. If they’re growling over a bone and you need to put the bone away, trade them for a smaller treat so you can take the bone away safely.
Many dogs cannot control their whining when they feel stressed, as it’s more of an automatic response. However, it’s a clue for humans that something in the environment is causing anxiety. Barking is similar, in that dogs can’t always control it, but they’re trying to tell you that they’re stressed about something. It may, however, depend on the context, as dogs may whine and bark for many other reasons.
There are entire books written on dog body language and “calming signals,” a term developed by Norwegian dog trainer Turid Rugaas. Rugaas realized that dogs have more than 30 ways to avoid stressful situations and try to calm themselves. When dogs exhibit these behaviors, they’re trying to diffuse the situation or tell you or another dog that they aren’t a threat.
Stress signs to look for include whale eye (when dogs reveal the whites of their eyes), tucked ears or tail, raised hackles, lip-licking, yawning, and panting. Your dog might also avoid eye contact or look away. This is most commonly seen in a dog that seems “guilty.” However, the dog is actually reacting to your voice and body language and thinks something must be wrong.
Don’t rely solely on body language. Also, some dogs raise their hackles when they’re overstimulated or excited, not necessarily when they’re stressed or anxious.
When your dog freezes or gets stiff, they’re often stressed about something they see. In a training context, this can sometimes be seen as “submission,” but modern dog training practices tell us that the dog is actually shutting down. This can be very dangerous for both you and your dog. It’s a warning sign that the dog is so stressed that they can’t handle the situation.
When dogs are pacing back and forth, it’s a sign they can’t settle down because something is stressing them. If this happens during mealtimes or for short periods, it might not be a big deal. But, noticing when your dog engages in this behavior can give you clues as to what’s triggering their anxiety.
In older dogs, pacing may be a sign of dementia. If you start to notice this in your senior pet, talk to your veterinarian right away.
Note: With all of these signs, it all still depends on the individual dog and the context of the situation. For example, some dogs growl or “talk” while playing. It could mean they’re getting overexcited and need a break, but it could also just be the way they play.
Getting to know when your dog is stressed is key. You should always talk to a professional dog trainer if you have any concerns. Or consider a trip to your veterinarian if your dog’s behavior changes suddenly.