Problems at work, uncertainty about the future, children not studying, unstable economic situation, loneliness, health problems, tensions, washing machine that breaks, car that doesn’t start, unexpected requests, an unpleasant encounter, rushes to meet deadlines: from more existential to the simplest, the causes of stress for humans are numerous and their negative effects, known and scientifically proven, concern body, mind, and behavior. For dogs the phenomenon is comparable. The causes may differ, but the negative effects of stress on physical and mental health and behaviors are similar. This is the topic we are dealing with today, exploring the things that stress the dog, the signs that show us his impatience and finally understanding how to help him.
Index
- What are the causes of stress in dogs
- From what we understand that the dog is stressed
- How to help a stressed dog
Causes of Stress in Dogs
Causes of stress in dogs can be structural or contextual. Among the most common causes we find:
- Inadequate lifestyle (insufficient or inadequate physical activity and insufficient or inadequate mental activity);
- Loneliness;
- Girl;
- Insecurity;
- Inadequacy of the owners;
- Inadequate or insufficient rest;
- Frustration;
- Fear;
- Exposure to stressors (other dogs; traffic; noises such as alarms, bells, sirens, din; children; thunderstorms; unknown people; unwanted attention);
- Visit to the vet;
- New situations to face for which he is not prepared;
- Assaults;
- Removals and transfers;
- Change in family composition;
- Do you travel;
- Too long outings (which lead to an increased risk of exposure to stressors, in addition to physical and mental fatigue);
- Separation from owners, even for just a few hours (separation anxiety);
- Stressed owner (and scientifically proven that dogs of stressed people suffer from stress themselves);
- Past trauma;
- You change in your routine without having the skills to manage the news.
But be careful, because each of these causes can be an end in itself or moved by other reasons , consequently it is always necessary to investigate to be sure of what is the real reason that leads the dog to suffer so much. From what we understand that the dog is stressed
But from what we understand that the dog is stressed
In truth, the manifestations of stress in the dog can be both physical and behavioral . Among the physical ones, we find:
- Gastrointestinal problems (including diarrhea and constipation);
- Skin disorders;
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy;
- Tremors
- hair loss;
- Excessive deburring;
- Itching;
- Scratch;
- Excessive panting.
Clearly, the phenomena indicated above can also be symptomatic of health problems so when they occur it is always common to contact a veterinarian. Let’s go now to the behavioral manifestations:
- Aggressitiva;
- Reactivity;
- Destructivity:
- Excessive barking for no apparent reason
- Yawn;
- Hide the tail between the legs;
- Muscle tension;
- Excessive licking
- Stiff ears, pulled back or pinched on the head
- Crazy eyes (with the white you can see);
- Cry;
- Moaning;
- Trying to hide or try to escape;
- Licking your nose and lips
- Walk back and forth.
Among these signals we could also include the munching , but more than signaling stress this gesture is a way in which the dog mentally puts an end to a tiring situation. For example, he breaks down when he finishes crossing a surface he was afraid of or when he frees himself from a hug that made him uncomfortable, or when an encounter with another dog ends. How to help a stressed dog
To deal with a problem, you need to know the causes. The rule also applies to dog stress. The type of action needed to help the creature therefore depends on the origin of the stress . For example, in the case of stress due to unsuitable and / or inadequate life situations, the intervention must be radical and important.
In essence, it is necessary to change life or at least the organization of one’s life to create one in which the dog is comfortable, organizing to meet his physical, mental and emotional needs. The work is complex – you need to understand what the dog really needs and how to satisfy it – and it is good to do it with a dog trainer, who must be professional, serious and prepared.
In the case of contextual stress, that is derived from specific situations that can arise from time to time, the first intervention and – a little at a time of course – learn to recognize them and keep the dog away from them. For example, if the dog is stressed by hearing the cackling and agitation of children, it is necessary to avoid walking with the creature in front of a school or a playground (or wherever else they are) when there are children running and cackling.
If the dog is stressed by environmental factors – such as traffic, city sounds, other dogs – the outings, in addition to being managed in a way to minimize exposure to stressors, must take into account the sensitivity of the creature.and the risks that prolonged exposure to stress factors has on his mental state and behavior and be adequate or, possibly, reduced in duration (and perhaps increased in number).
If the dog gets stressed when people he does not know approach him and caress him, to prevent him from stressing, just prevent him from having the experience (note that there is nothing strange, unlike what you think, not to all dogs like physical contact). Another thing to do is to create at home – or let the dog choose – what we could call ” safety areas “: one or more points where the dog can feel safe and protected and where he knows he can go to rest and relax without being disturbed.
Another thing to do is try to be calm: we saw at the beginning that dogs are deeply affected by the mood of their humans, which is why it is so important to have control over your emotional state and try to be as calm as possible. around and in relating with the quadrupedal creature. Obviously, both parties benefit from it.