Our dogs despite often having an upbeat and cheerful appearance can find themselves in stressful situations. You may wonder in that circumstance about how dogs cry for help.
Here are 10 signs to identify your dog crying for help
- Shaking
- Pacing
- Whining or barking
- Yawning, drooling, or licking
- Eyes and Ears
- Posture
- Shedding
- Excessive panting
- Bodily functions
- Avoidant behavior
We as humans often hate stress and wish to alleviate the feeling; therefore, it only makes sense that your dog would rather not be distressed either. Now, how your dog shows discontent differs from dog to dog, but there are some common signs of stress.
In the following article, we will go over ways to tell how your dog is stressed and what to do in those situations. In the end, you will understand how dogs cry for help and what to do.
How To Know If Your Dog Is In Pain?
Unfortunately (or fortunately if you don’t prefer human speech) our dogs don’t speak our language or show the same signs of irritation as a child or adult. Furthermore, the signs of stress or even depression in dogs are often elusive. You must pay close attention and know your dog well to help them in their time of need.
Shaking
If you notice your dog shaking then take notice. Now, keeping in mind a dog shaking can be normal after your dog gets a bath or is trying to shake off dirt. However, shaking can also be the outcome of pain or stress.
If want want to observe the behavior in a naturally stressful situation, observe your pet when it is at the veterinarian. Often dogs shake when the vet is through with them.
Pacing
Dogs very often will pace in circles when they are stressed or emotionally worried. Just like a human, this behavior is easy to spot as a sign of things not going well. The pacing is a way to relieve stress and keep from having their emotions bottled while stationary.
Whining or Barking
Many dogs are very vocal by nature. Barking is usually their go-to way to express themselves. However, Dogs that are stressed often moan or bark. The act of barking or whining can also help them relieve tension, in the same way, screaming into a pillow may help you while irritated.
Yawning, Drooling, Or licking
Bored dogs yawn but often they will also yawn when tense. A yawn due to needing sleep is a bit different than a yawn out of stress. The subtle nuances will be something to make note of overtime. Dogs will also drool when annoyed and even lick excessively if anxious.
Eyes and ears
If your dog is stressed he or she may have widened pupils and blink a lot. They often can look startled when they widened their eyes showing more of the whites than usual.
As for your dog’s ears watch out when they are pinned against the head.
Posture
Often stressed or afraid dogs shift their weight to their rear legs. This may be a sign of them cowering. Also, make note of your dog tucking its tails between its leg which is an atypical posture for your pet to take while happy.
Shedding
Dogs tend to shred when they are anxious or nervous. The shedding can be more excessive than usual and be a big problem when taking your dog to the pet.
Excessive panting
Panting without intense exercise or play may mean your dog is dealing with stress.
Bodily functions
Stress can make a dog urinate more often depending on the situation. On the other hand, refusing to eat food, or not being able to make a bowel movement are also signs of stress.[Source]
Avoidant behavior
Dogs may show signs of disassociation when faced with situations they don’t prefer. They will find themselves lost in their own world. The dog will avoid the situation including any people he doesn’t wish to deal with. Though rude, this behavior is more appealing than aggression.
Other dogs while trying to escape will hide behind their owners. Some will find trees or cars to hide behind until it is time to move on from the situation.
In these cases, you shouldn’t force the dog to interact to avoid any unneeded aggression. If your dog is unwanting to interact, then respecting that is for the best. It may be nice to show off your pet to others, but it isn’t worth it if you are traumatizing the dog.
What To Do If Your Dog Is Sad Or Stressed?
It requires you to know your dog well if you want to tell the difference between normal behavior and behavior your dog is displaying due to stress. Assuming the worse may make things worse on you and your pet. However, ignoring the warning signs may lead to bad situations.
To keep in mind that a relaxed dog has perky ears, normal eye contact, and doesn’t pant a lot unnecessary is essential. Your dog will also like to stay on four legs and will generally be more open to being playful and less avoidant.
When your dog is showing signs of stress try removing the dog from the situation that is causing the stress as soon as possible. When the dog calms down, you can give him or her a treat for displaying good behavior. You want to reinforce behavior that is pleasing to you and not just overindulge the dog to make them hopefully happier.
[Related Article: How To Calm Your Dog Traumatized During And After Fireworks]
Wrap Up
Eventually, if signs of stress are consistent then seeing a veterinarian would be wise. Your vet may encourage you to get a pet trainer or behaviorist to address the behavior. Vets also have the right to prescribe meds to relieve stress and aggression.
You can also encourage your dog to play more by providing him or her with a safe place to feel at ease. Whatever the cause of your dog’s stress, be sure to take the health of your pet seriously. You don’t want to end up losing your friend or worse have the relationship between you and your pet disappear.
