How to tell if your dog is stressed
Dogs communicate constantly — just not in words. Many behaviour challenges begin with subtle signs of stress that are easy to miss. By learning to recognise these early signals, you can support your dog before small worries turn into bigger problems.
Stress doesn’t always look dramatic. Often, it appears quietly in everyday situations.
Subtle signs owners often miss
Some stress signals are very small and brief. These can include:
Lip licking when there’s no food present
Yawning outside of tiredness
Turning the head away
Sudden sniffing of the ground
Tension in the body
Slower movement or hesitation
On their own, these behaviours don’t always mean something is wrong. But repeated patterns in certain situations can indicate your dog is feeling uncomfortable.
Stress on walks
Walks are one of the most common places stress appears.
You might notice:
Freezing when seeing another dog
Pulling more than usual
Avoiding certain routes
Excessive scanning of the environment
Sometimes what looks like excitement is actually overstimulation.
Stress at home
Stress doesn’t only happen outdoors. At home, it may show as:
Difficulty settling
Pacing
Over-reacting to small noises
Clinginess or sudden withdrawal
Changes in routine, visitors, or environmental noise can all affect how secure a dog feels.
Why early awareness matters
When stress builds without being recognised, it can lead to:
Increased reactivity
Frustration behaviours
Difficulty focusing
Emotional overwhelm
Early awareness allows you to adjust gently and support your dog before patterns become ingrained.
Stay calm and observant
Noticing stress signals isn’t about labelling your dog as “problematic.” It’s about understanding their communication.
A calm, consistent routine and thoughtful exposure to situations can make a significant difference. When in doubt, seeking guidance early is always easier than trying to undo long-standing habits.
Your dog isn’t being difficult — they may simply be telling you they’re unsure.