Recognising stress in your dog

Recognising stress means learning to read these messages before asking more of your dog.

A single sign doesn't tell the whole story

A dog can yawn because it is tired, lick its lips after a treat or pant after trotting. To understand what it is feeling, look at its whole body, the situation and any changes from its usual habits. Even a wagging tail doesn't guarantee that it is comfortable. [1]

At a show, here are some signs that deserve your attention:

Subtle signals: turning the head away, lip-licking with no food, yawning with no obvious tiredness, ears pulled back, a tense face.
More visible discomfort: lowered posture, tucked tail, trembling, constant pacing, avoiding contact or panting with no heat or exertion.
A need to end the situation: attempts to flee, growling, bared teeth or snapping jaws. [2][3]

These signs are not a fixed scale: every dog reacts in its own way. Don't wait to see all of them before acting.

Beginner: learning to look

1. Learn how it looks when relaxed

Watch your dog at home: usual ear position, tail carriage, suppleness of the body. This reference will help you more than comparing with the dog next door.

In practice: before going into the hall, take a moment to observe how it is carrying itself.

2. Look for a cluster of signs

A single yawn isn't enough to draw a conclusion. On the other hand, yawning, backing away and stiffening during an approach is a reason to pause.

In practice: look at what happens just before the change: a noise, a dog too close, handling?

3. Offer space

When your dog seems worried, stop what you're asking and calmly move away from whatever is bothering it. Avoid forced meetings.

In practice: waiting a bit further from the ring can be more comfortable than staying in the middle of the traffic.

Intermediate: understanding what makes it struggle

1. Don't mistake stillness for relaxation

A silent, frozen dog may be uncomfortable. Look at its muscles, its face and its ability to resume smooth movement.

In practice: on the examination table, don't take sudden stiffness for a perfectly learned position.

2. Use treats as a clue

If it suddenly refuses a reward it normally likes, note the change. It can go along with discomfort, without proving on its own that it is stressed. Conversely, eating doesn't guarantee complete relaxation.

In practice: avoid piling on treats to get a procedure done at all costs.

3. Respect the growl

A growl warns that a situation is a problem. Punishing it can remove that warning without solving the discomfort and increase the risk of a bite. [3]

In practice: break off the contact, warn the person approaching and create space safely.

Advanced: anticipating and adjusting

1. Allow for accumulation

Journey, noise, nearby dogs, waiting: several difficult experiences can add up. [1]

In practice: plan a calm break before your turn, even if each earlier event seemed bearable.

2. Keep a useful record

Note the context, the first signs you saw and what helped. A short video, taken without provoking the discomfort, can help with analysis.

In practice: replace "it was stressed" with "it backed away when a dog went past its table".

3. Ask for help if the problem persists

A sudden or repeated change deserves a vet's opinion: pain and illness can alter behaviour. If necessary, get support from a qualified behaviour professional. [1]

In practice: adapt your preparation before scheduling another show.

The good reflex to keep

Observe, ease the situation, then reassess. If your dog doesn't regain its ease, stop its participation and inform the ring staff.

Learning to recognise its stress is showing it that its messages matter, even when the placings are coming up.