The Cosmic Watchdog

A dog trainer has shared the signs that clearly indicate whether your dog is feeling stressed or unhappy.

Welcoming a dog into your home can be one of the most beautiful, rewarding and exciting decisions you can make. Of course, dogs require a lot of care and attention – they’re a long-term commitment so choosing to get one isn’t something that should be rushed into.

Dogs are known for their relentless loyalty and their seemingly easy-to-read indicators of their happiness and stress levels – but how well do we actually know and understand what our dogs are feeling? Many people turn to social media looking for answers and insights into their pet’s antics, with countless TikTok videos detailing signs of stress in dogs.

Thankfully, experts have weighed in to share a number of behaviours that clearly demonstrate whether dogs are feeling stressed or unhappy.

Is your dog happy?

Natural dog food company Green Pantry teamed up with Philip Legood, a dog psychologist and trainer, to understand how best to communicate with our dogs and show them how much we care.

Many people are keen to show their affection by giving their dog a hug but it turns out, not all dogs appreciate this gesture.

Philip said: “While cuddling our dogs offers us great comfort, the same can’t always be said the other way around. Some dogs can actually find hugs quite stressful. This is because the action of wrapping our arms around them and holding them tightly can feel quite overwhelming and threatening to some dogs, an especially important lesson to teach young children.

“Some of the many signs to look out for that indicate that your dog may not be enjoying hugs can include, stiff body posture, ears laying flat and back on the head, lip licking, grinning (lips pulled back) and a raised paw.”

On how to tell whether your dog is happy, Philip added: “There are also some clear signs that show your dog is happy, including relaxed ‘floppy’ body posture, loose or wagging tail, ears hanging down or slightly forward, a soft face with an open mouth.”

Is your dog feeling stressed? 

A dog’s stress levels are equally important to be mindful of. Dr Charlotte Rice, senior veterinary technical manager at YuMOVE, suggests using the P.E.E.P. test to identify signs of stress in your pet.

The doctor explained: “Despite their happy-go-lucky reputations, dogs can become stressed just like us. If you notice your dog acting up and suspect it could be because of nerves, don’t discipline them – but speak to your vet instead.

“If your pet is stressed, they won’t necessarily make it obvious. Don’t expect them to march off to the shed in a huff or slam the door and play loud music in their bedroom. Instead, you’ll need to pay attention to different, subtler signs to discover what’s going on.”

The PEEP test:

• P = Posture – Is your pet hunched, tense, cowering or defensive?

• E = Eyes – Are their eyes wide, strained or pupils dilated?

• E = Ears – Does it look like their ears are flattened or pinned back?

• P = Position – Is your pet turning away, hiding or fleeing/freezing?

Dr Rice added: “If your dog or cat is showing any of these behaviours, they may well be experiencing stress.”

If you’re worried about your dog’s behaviour, seek professional advice from a qualified vet as soon as possible.