While some stress signals in dogs are obvious\u2014like panting and pacing \u2014others are more subtle. Dogs often try to self-soothe or communicate their discomfort long before their behaviour escalates. Recognising these cues early can prevent stress from turning into anxiety or unwanted behaviours.<\/p>\n
Changes in Body Language<\/strong><\/p>\n Dogs express stress through their posture, facial expressions, and tail position. Watch for:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n This dog is showing several signs of stress or discomfort:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These cues, some more subtle than others, often appear well before a dog reacts in a more obvious way. Ears pinned back, tongue flicks, whale eyes, and a stiff or frozen posture are all signs that your dog is feeling uncomfortable\u2014and may be close to reacting.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important not to punish these behaviours. Growling, freezing, or trying to move away are your dog\u2019s way of saying, \u201cI\u2019m not okay.\u201d When we listen and respond calmly, we help build trust and prevent escalation.<\/p>\n As our in-house behaviourist Fiona Whelan at the Pet Centre in Chertsey<\/a> puts it:<\/p>\n \u201cPunishing a dog for growling is like taking the batteries out of your smoke alarm\u2014it removes the warning\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Understanding what triggers stress can help prevent or reduce it. Some common causes include:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Can you spot the 5 subtle signs of stress in this picture?<\/p>\n Helping a stressed dog requires patience, awareness, and a thoughtful approach. Here\u2019s how you can support them:<\/p>\n 1. Remove Your Dog from the Stressful Situation<\/strong><\/p>\n If your dog is feeling overwhelmed, remove them from the situation. Short-term stress (like a sudden noise) typically resolves in a few days, but chronic stress can take weeks or months to dissipate. Stress hormones linger, keeping dogs in a heightened state of alertness.<\/p>\n Dogs may also associate stressful events with specific locations. If they seem uneasy in a particular area, avoid it for a few days before gradually reintroducing them in a controlled, positive way.<\/p>\n 2. Maintain a Normal Routine<\/strong><\/p>\n Dogs thrive on predictability. Keeping to their usual feeding, walking, and playtimes provides much-needed reassurance.<\/p>\n Dogs are also highly attuned to our emotions. If we remain calm and confident, they are more likely to feel secure.<\/p>\n 3. Recognise Your Dog\u2019s Coping Style<\/strong><\/p>\n Every dog processes stress differently. Some seek comfort by staying close to their owner, while others prefer space to decompress. Forcing interactions can increase stress, so let your dog decide how much reassurance they need.<\/p>\n 4. Use Calming Techniques<\/strong><\/p>\n There are several ways to help dogs relax:<\/p>\n 5. Encourage Positive Outlets for Energy<\/strong><\/p>\n Avoid Punishment<\/strong><\/p>\n Never punish a dog for showing signs of stress. Growling, whining, or pacing are ways they communicate discomfort. Instead, focus on helping them feel safe and supported.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When supporting a stressed or reactive dog, safety and management are essential. In some cases, a well-fitted muzzle can be part of that plan\u2014particularly in unpredictable situations like vet visits, busy walks, or behavioural training.<\/p>\n Muzzles give owners the confidence to safely support their dog in challenging environments. Used thoughtfully and with positive training, they allow dogs to experience more of the world without risk.<\/p>\n Far from being a sign of a \u201cbad dog,\u201d a muzzle can be a sign of a responsible owner\u2014one who\u2019s thinking ahead and putting safety first. It\u2019s time to break the stigma and reframe muzzles as what they are: a practical, compassionate tool.<\/p>\n A muzzle can be a valuable tool, allowing dogs to experience life they might not get the opportunity to experience otherwise, and give you, the owner the confidence in stressful situations.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Recognising stress in dogs isn\u2019t always straightforward, but understanding the warning signs can make a big difference.<\/p>\n With over 40 years of expertise, Company of Animals is a trusted leader in dog behaviour and training. From Baskerville Muzzles to Coachi Calming Treats, our products are designed with science and compassion in mind.<\/p>\n Want to learn more about dog behaviour? Explore our expert guides and training solutions today!<\/p>\n At the Company of Animals Pet Centre in Chertsey, we offer expert-led behavioural consultations (by veterinary referral only) to help identify and address the root causes of stress\u2014including any underlying medical issues.<\/p>\n Looking for practical tools to support your dog at home? Enriching pets\u2019 lives \u2013 devoted to the physical and mental wellbeing of companion animals.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Stress can creep into a dog\u2019s life for many reasons\u2014changes in routine, new environments, loud noises, small humans, or even subtle shifts in their home life. Recognising the early signs of stress is key to helping your dog feel safe, relaxed, and happy. At Company of Animals, we\u2019ve spent over 40 years at the forefront […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6051,"featured_media":26019,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-26016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","content-entity"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26016","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6051"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26016"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26016\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26022,"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26016\/revisions\/26022"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26019"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/companyofanimals.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26016"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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<\/p>\nStressed or Playful? What Do You Think This Dog Is Feeling?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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What Causes Stress in Dogs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nHow to Help a Stressed Dog<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Rethinking Muzzles: A Tool for Safety, Not Shame<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Want to learn more about your dog\u2019s behaviour?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nExplore our trusted training and wellbeing solutions:<\/p>\n\n