‘Tis the season of holiday gatherings! With the pandemic in the rear-view mirror, it will be wonderful to gather in person for the holidays once again. If it has been almost two years since you hosted a holiday gathering at your house, a sudden influx of people can be stressful for your dog. Just like humans, dogs can get stressed in large crowds and when dealing with unfamiliar situations. Today we are going to talk about how to tell if a dog is stressed by its body language. You can use this information to make sure your dog has a peaceful and enjoyable holiday season.
How To Tell if a Dog is Stressed by Their Body Language
Their eyes: If a dog’s eyelids are peeled back and you can see the white part, they’re very likely stressed. If you can see a crescent shape of white when they are looking side to side, you are seeing what is called a half-moon eye. Seeing this means your dog needs to take a break and get away from whatever situation they are in. If your dog’s eyes suddenly appear redder than usual, it may mean that your dog is currently tired and may need rest from the holiday festivities right away.
Their ears: Stress reactions from the dog’s ears vary greatly. Some dogs have ears that become more erect or stressed when they are uneasy. It is also common for stressed dogs to have their ears pinned back or lay flat when they are stressed.
Their tails: A tail is a great way to read how a dog is feeling. A tail between the legs usually means fear but a tail that is pointing straight down or lightly wagging at the tip may mean the dog is stressed.
Their mouth: When a dog’s lips curl back it may be a sign of aggression. That curl may mean a bite could be incoming. A dog’s whiskers may also stand up when they are stressed. If your dog is showing more teeth and gums than usual, or they are curling their lips, it might be time to give them a break away from holiday guests.
A well-trained dog also decreases the chance that your dog will get stressed around the holidays. Check out our classes for a perfectly behaved pup for the holidays.