Is Your Dog Anxious? Here’s How to Tell!
Puffed Flews and Horizontal Commissures: The Silent Screams of Anxiety
Ever noticed your dog’s lips puffing out when they’re worried? This is known as the flews, a classic sign of anxiety. When a dog feels safe again, their facial muscles relax, bringing back their happy grin. But when they’re scared, the corners of their lips may retract horizontally. So, next time you see a “smiling” dog, look closer – it might not be a smile after all! This is a reminder that our furry friends have their unique ways of showing distress.
The “Hey, Don’t Come Closer!” Body Talk
It’s not always aggression when a dog lunges or snarls at another dog. At the root of this behavior is often fear or discomfort. Think of it as your dog saying, “Hey, you scary thing, don’t come any closer!” This is their way of trying to increase the distance between them and the perceived threat.
Conflicted Canine Signals: When Body Language Gets Mixed
Dogs can experience conflicting emotions, making their body language harder to read. For example, a dog might lean forward while barking but have his ears flat against his head, indicating fear. Or, they might stretch forward to sniff another dog but have splayed back legs, ready to flee at any moment. Understanding these mixed signals is crucial to truly comprehend how your dog feels.
“Pancake Dog” and Weight Distribution: Fear’s Physical Manifestation
When scared, a dog might shift their body weight away from what frightens them, sometimes even flattening their body – the “pancake dog” posture. Along with this, you might see ears flat against the head and a tucked tail. On the flip side, a confident dog will distribute their weight more on the front legs, leaning forward.
Ears and Eyes: Windows to a Dog’s Soul
The position of a dog’s ears can tell you a lot about their emotional state. Relaxed ears mean a relaxed dog, but when they become worried or afraid, the positioning changes. Similarly, the dog’s eyes can reveal their feelings. A relaxed dog might have partially open mouths resembling a grin. But in moments of concern, their mouths might close as they freeze, deciding their next move.
Yawn, Yawn, Go Away: Stress in Disguise
Yawning in dogs isn’t always a sign of tiredness. It can also be a stress signal, especially when combined with looking away. This behavior is a dog’s way of calming down or showing submission, a plea for peace in their language.
Is Your Dog Anxious, Or Are You?
Additional Signs of Fear in Dogs
- Tail Tucking: A classic sign of fear.
- Pacing and Restlessness: Indicates anxiety or fear.
- Shivering or Trembling: Often occurs when they’re scared.
- Avoidance or Hiding: If they’re trying to hide, they’re likely scared.
🗝️ Key Takeaways for Dog Parents
1. Watch the Mouth and Body: Puffed flews, horizontally retracted lips, and changes in body weight distribution are tell-tale signs of fear.
2. Understand the Context: Lunging, snarling, and mixed body signals often indicate fear, not aggression.
3. Observe Subtle Signs: Recognize behaviors like yawning, tail tucking, and trembling as signs of stress or fear.
Remember, understanding your dog’s body language isn’t just about reading their signals; it’s about responding to their emotional needs. Your attentiveness can make a world of difference in their well-being!
📖 Resources for Further Reading
● The moment I laid eyes on this book, I knew it was coming home with me. It’s an incredible resource for explaining a dog’s body language to a child, making it easier to understand what each gesture or posture means. And trust me, you’ll learn a ton from it too. It also makes for a fantastic gift. If you have friends with a child who’s a bit uneasy around dogs, this book could be a game-changer. For just $9, you’re doing a huge favor not only for the child but for every dog they’ll meet in their lifetime.
● Here’s another pick for the science lovers out there: a book penned by a vet behaviorist. It’s informative, trustworthy, and surprisingly easy to read all at once.
● Purdue University’s Canine Welfare Science: Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition 2nd Edition
