Signs of stress

[IGotThrillsTheyreMultiplying]

Am guessing The Doghouse may have unusually high levels of owners who can spot stress but, by heck, this is concerning

https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/most-dog-owners-cant-read-stress-signals-findings-show/

Are there really so few dog owners who cannot recognise basic stress signals like yawning or lip licking?

I'm really surprised that less than half saw body stiffening and putting their tail between their legs as signs of stress.

Doesn't surprise me at all, tbh. The amount of owners that don't bother to teach basic (and important) things like recall and 'stay' is alarming. Why would they make an effort to learn the way dogs communicate?

You'll wouldn't like us then. No matter how much training we do with DDog she's never going to get recall so we don't let her off the lead. She's definitely not to be trusted off the lead!

Should have added that we didn't get her until she wax 7.

No surprise. I’ve seen dogs screaming ‘don’t touch me’ and people ignoring it. I’ve posted the ladder of fear on a breed specific group and been accused of saying all dogs were viscous beasts. The poster in question was laughing as their dog was snarling at him when he kissed her.

My last dog was fear aggressive with people and we got very good at reading body language so could head off problems at the very slightest sign. I’m often staggered at what people ignore. Dogs are incredibly tolerant.

This doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

Most owners don't seem to have a clue when it comes to their dogs.

But almost 90%! That's just a awfully high number

9/10 dogs out there, trying hard to communicate and even their owners can't hear them.

I see so many owners who insist their dogs are friendly/just playing when their body language is screaming the opposite.

It's not surprising - especially when you have TV "trainers" that advocate telling dogs off for growling and who completely fail to acknowledge any of the normal (but subtle) fear signs. If a TV "expert" can't recognise them, it's not really surprising that your average dog owner has no clue.

'Are there really so few dog owners who cannot recognise basic stress signals like yawning or lip licking'

Yes I'm one, I had no idea yawning was a sign of stress. Lip licking? Again I thought perfectly normal especially in dogs like labs that have usually just eating something they shouldn't.

I'd have thought obvious signs of stress would be tail between legs, lack of eye contact, backing away or over excitement/barking.

I really don't think it is that shocking that many had no idea yawning was a sign of stress.

Yes I'm one, I had no idea yawning was a sign of stress. Lip licking? Again I thought perfectly normal especially in dogs like labs that have usually just eating something they shouldn't.

Lip-licking (and yawning) can be perfectly normal behaviours. As you say, it's totally okay for dogs to lick their lips after a meal, or to yawn when they're tired and have just woken up.

It's when they display those behaviours in other situations that you need to start paying attention. I see a lot of videos of dogs around little kids and the dogs are showing whale eye, licking lips and yawning constantly but the owners are posting about how sweet it is that Fido loves little Johnny so much. It's worrying, tbh.

It does not surprise me at all.

Clients who still think their dog is stubborn, or deliberately not doing what they ask them.

You just need to see people "socialising" their puppies to see how people have no idea of dogs body language.

When they are holding the puppy they are encouraging every human to touch and stroke the puppy who has no means to back off and avoid the situation. Apparently this is good for puppies and essential part of socialising!

Letting puppies go over threshold and they need a good telling off when another dog gets fed up with them and snaps at them.

It is context that is important. If I am standing in front of my dogs with a big bit of cheese and they lip lick then it is obviously fine.

Dogs rarely yawn for reasons of being tired - they may yawn as they stretch and again context is important. A yawny dog is one to look at the environment and situation and change it for the dog.

It’s context. One of the biggest misconceptions is a wagging tail means a dog is happy. My last dog used to wag her tail furiously whilst trying to attack the vet (it was an emergency - she was quickly sedated). The rest of her body language showed extreme stress. She also wagged her tail furiously when happy, training or running like the wind.

'Dogs rarely yawn for reasons of being tired - they may yawn as they stretch and again context is important. A yawny dog is one to look at the environment and situation and change it for the dog.'

Well again i had no idea at all. Thanks for the comments.

What does a dog pulling constantly and frantically on their lead mean? We've tried all kinds of different leads, treats, calming walks the lot. I can't help thinking rather than being over excited she's actually panicking and in a state of stress as she does jump at the slightest noise. Any ideas or tips very welcome <sorry for minor derail>.

What does a dog pulling constantly and frantically on their lead mean?

What breed is she? As that can make a big difference.

Dogs can pull on the lead for all sorts of reasons - poor training, excitement, being "on a scent", breed traits, fear, panic, stress - it really depends on their body language in general and what their behaviour is like overall.

@Newpeep do you have a link to the ladder of fear ?
Thanks 😊

There are a few (sometimes called communication or aggression) but this is a good one

https://www.adolescentdogs.com/post/the-canine-ladder-of-communication

I am currently counter conditioning my pup to having her nails clipped and an ear twitch one side and a very slight turn of the head is the first sign she’s getting uncomfortable and we need to take it back a step.

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto actually I do- you sound like a responsible dog owner! There's a difference when you've tried and act accordingly. I've had ex racer greyhounds that never went off lead for this reason, too.

It is definitely all conte t isn't it? DDog has just rolled over but that's because she insists on giving at least 3 lots of belly runs before she will consider getting out of bed.

And this is the second session as she's already been up once and been outside and had her breakfast.

Have to say that pre having a dog I always just assumed that waggy tail = happy dog.
Tail language is fascinating. I'm lucky that I have a very demonstrative dog who uses her tail differently when playing, when excited, when unsure etc. She's a friendly soul so greets most people with a frantic tail wag - it's very welcoming, but I know that she reserves her helicopter tail for just members of the inner circle.

Context really matters. One of ours used to lip-lick out of excitement when waiting to be taken for a walk.

My older one sometimes appears aggressive to other dog owners when she jumps forward and tells off, with 2 or 3 sharp barks, a rude young male who has just roared up to her and shoved his nose in her face, totally ignoring all her 'back off, buster' signals. The younger dog will pull back, ears and shoulders lowered. Mine will then stand there, head up and tail stiff. The other dog at this point will usually come up to her submissively, they will exchange a polite greeting, their body language will totally relax, and it's over. Any query from the other owner and I just say, She's within her rights to not like being rushed.

I've seen a few videos where canine communication is broken down and they're fascinating.

I have an anxious dog and she definitely pulls when she’s worried. Again it’s context. Sometimes she’ll pull as we enter a park and it’s clearly excitement. But I know she’s nervous so when she’s pulling in main roads she’s definitely hurrying to get away from them, other signs too such as looking around at noises.