Excessive shedding
All dogs seem to shed, but have you ever noticed how much hair can come off when your dog is stressed? According to PetCareRX, it’s one of the most easily recognizable signs your pup is feeling a bit anxious.
You might see this happen in the veterinarian’s office as you pet your dog in the exam room and the hair covers your hands and the floor. Excessive shedding due to stress can also be triggered by big life changes at home, like moving, adopting another pet or a family member moving out.
Licking the nose & lips
Dogs use their bodies to convey all sorts of emotion they can’t verbalize. According to Service Dog Central, if your dog starts excessively licking their mouth or nose, this is probably a sign they are feeling a bit stressed.
Yawning
It seems odd that yawning would be considered a sign of stress — wouldn’t it just be a sign of tiredness? But the stress yawn is usually seen in conjunction with other behaviors, such as avoidance or pinned ears.
Panting
Dogs generally pant to cool themselves down when it’s hot or they’ve been exercising. If your dog is panting for no apparent reason, possibly with her ears pinned back and low, this can be a sign of stress. Be careful if the dog suddenly stops panting and closes his mouth, as he may be escalating toward biting.
