1 Tip, 1 Idea, 1 Quote.
On Stress Signals
Dog Trainer Auckland
July 28, 2026
1 Tip - on life with your dog
Dogs communicate stress through their bodies, way before they bark or bite. Can you identify stress in your dog? Here's a list of common stress signals: barking, biting, blinking, clinging, cowering, dilated pupils, ears lowered, freezing, furrowed brows, hard eyes (direct stare, no blinking), hypervigilance (scanning), jumping and startling easily, lip licking, lifting a paw, mouth closed tightly or pulled back, mouth pursed forward, mouthing, nipping, pacing, panting, piloerection (raised hair), rigid forward stance, self-grooming, shaking off, shedding, slow motion moving, snapping, sweaty paws, tail tucked, taking treats harder than usual, trembling, turning head away, whining, wide eyed (showing sclera), won't settle, won't accept treats, yawning...and there's more. (ref: Dr Marty Becker)
It's a long list but it's not a checklist, your dog will have their own communication style to express how they're feeling. Think of it as information, the better you get at reading your dog, the quicker you can help them feel safe.
1 Idea - on the leading edge
When your dog is showing signs of stress, ask yourself: are their needs being met? Needs like chasing, chewing, digging, dissecting, foraging, socialising, tugging and more. Refer to Kim Brophey's Total Welfare Ethogram of Dog Behaviours to see what opportunities there are that you could add to your dog's routine. Stress is usually a needs gap, not a training gap.
1 Quote - on dogs
A large earthquake doesn't relieve stress evenly along a fault. Instead, it creates zones where stress is reduced and others where stress increases, making future ruptures more likely. Rob Brezsny, Free Will Astrology
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