1. Look at your dog’s mental state
Stress

2. Stress is… Your dog’s body response to any physical and mental demand
Positive stress – Dog park
Negative stress – Veterinary visit
How a dog handles stress depends on
Experience
Upbringing
Genetics

3. Possible stress factors
Unusual People
Unfamiliar Sights
Physically Uncomfortable
Environment

4. Unusual people
Visual: disability populations, crawling kids, walking funny
Auditory: sound funny, loud, abrupt
Other: different smell, unusual behaviors, rough handling

5. Unusual sights Equipment: rolling carts or beds, IV poles, wheelchairs
Things: big hats, exercise ball, statues,

6. Physically uncomfortable
Pain
Hungry or thirsty
Need to potty
Not enough sleep

7. Environment Hectic: Too many people Noisy Over exposure (too long)
New unknown sites
Different surfaces
Dog
Metal boat ramp

8. Environment New smells & sounds Distracting: Cat, bird, other dog
Known person
Scary things

9. Stress Levels Low stress High stress Shutdown
Dog tries to calm himself down
Look for calming signals
High stress
Starting to lose the capability of coping
Shows obvious outward signs of stress
Shutdown
Fight or flight

10. Low stress Environment starts to feel intimidating
Dog tries to calm himself down
Look for calming signals
(Avoidance and Displacement Behaviors)
Behaviors that are normal but occur out of context
Helps calm your dog’s nervous system
Lowers stress

11. Calming signals Avoiding interaction Turning away Avoiding eye contact
Avoidance behavior
Avoiding interaction
Turning away
Avoiding eye contact

12. Calming signals Decreased activity Increased activity Backing away
Avoidance behavior
Decreased activity
Increased activity
Backing away
Sniffing

13. Calming signals Displacement behavior
Yawning
Stretching
Licking body parts
Lip licking

14. Calming signals Displacement behavior
Lifting paw
Shaking off
Scratching
Drooling

15. Calming signal - Stress Panting
“Off Leash Play” Pic.

16. High Stress Dog is starting to lose the capability of coping
Shows obvious outward signs of stress
Your dog needs your guidance immediately
Use stress reduction techniques

17. Signs of high stress Loss of concentration - Not responding
Sound and touch sensitive
Not interested treats

18. Signs of high stress Tucked tail Freezing in place Slinking posture
Crouching
Can also be low stress signs depending on severity

19. Signs of high stress
Dandruff!
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Sweaty paws
Dandruff

20. Stress Reduction Tools
Let the dog investigate
Guide the dog through situation
Calmly move away from situation

21. Let dog investigate Loose leash – freedom of movement is calming
Tight leash - causes stress
Socialize dog into new experiences slowly
only then
Let dog observe from a distance
go closer

22. Stress Reduction Tools
Let the dog investigate
Guide the dog through the situation
Calmly move away from situation

23. Guide dog through situation
Go around situation in a half circle
Don’t rush, pull or push the dog ✓ X

24. Guide dog through the situation
Be a leader so your dog looks to
you for guidance
Give your dog confidence – encourage, don’t coddle

25. Stress Reduction Tools
Let dog investigate
Guide dog through situation
Calmly move away from situation

26. Calmly move away from situationX
Calmly move away from situation
Don’t let dog pull you away
Reward any sign of conquering fear
– even a glance
Leave on a positive note

27. Calmly move away from situation
Redirect dog to a fun
activity or toy
Massage
Let dog have “down time” in a safe and quiet place

28. Your Dog’s stress level
Stress signs are often very subtle!
Learn what your dog can handle!
Be your dog’s Advocate!