Is Your Dog Stressed? The Subtle "Coping Mechanisms" You’re Probably Missing Every Day
If you wondered whether your dog was behaving weirdly, you might want to read this.
While we all wish dogs could speak our languages to tell us how they feel, reading the signs of their discomfort is actually not so difficult. Since it’s pretty obvious that dogs aren’t able to keep their anxiety and will make their distress visible, all those signs are revealed in their specific behavior that the owner can’t call normal.
Depending on the level of stress, dogs can use adaptive and non-adaptive coping mechanisms that either solves their problem (at least partially) or gives a temporary relief, but also makes things only worse.
What Are Adaptive and Non-Adaptive Coping Mechanisms?
When the dog feels like they can get rid of the object of their stress themselves, they use several methods to try and change the situation. For instance, the pet starts seeking more attention from their owner, looking for more physical contact and caress; another possible turnout is that the dog gives more attention to its toys just to focus on something else rather than the source of their stress.
Apart from that, another visible sign is that the dog tries to stay as far as possible from what triggers them, constantly looking for a safe spot in the house.
If the pet’s stress level is higher, more alarming situations can occur: monotonous paw licking, running in circles, passivity and lack of response, destructive behavior (chewing on objects or constant barking).
How to Help Your Dog Cope With Stress?
The most important thing every owner should do in this case is to quickly realize that something is wrong with their pet. Additionally, it’s recommended you keep your home’s ambiance healthy and safe for the dog no matter what, paying extra attention to teaching the dog how to behave well. If things went too far, consider consulting a local vet.
