Signs that your dog is experiencing fear or anxiety

We are not the only ones who have stress, anxiety and fear in our home.

Our pets experience the same feelings. The pandemic brought a surge in pet adoptions, and now many puppies may be feeling separation anxiety now that owners are returning to the office, for example.

As Smithsonian magazine reports, a study published in the journal Scientific Reports evaluated nearly 14 dogs — the largest study ever on dog temperaments — and showed that nearly three-quarters of the pets showed at least one anxiety-related behavior, with some changes in breed. That's 72.5 percent who display at least one anxiety-related behavior.

Kenneth Martin, said: “Separation anxiety is probably one of the most common behavioral problems in dogs. Anxiety and fear are two different things. However, their behavioral presentations overlap and may be indistinguishable from the pet owner's perspective."

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The difference between anxiety and fear

Dr. Martin says, “Fear can be defined as an emotional state consisting of physiological, psychological and behavioral responses to a real and actual or perceived threat or danger. Fear can be adaptive and motivate the dog to avoid situations or interactions that may be dangerous. While fear can be a normal emotion, the behavior can become extreme for the circumstances or the particular level of threat experienced by the individual."

On the other hand, Dr. Martin says: “Anxiety can be defined as a pervasive, generalized feeling of fear, worry, or nervousness about an impending event, uncertain outcome, or danger (threat). While fear is an emotional response to a real and present or perceived threat or danger, anxiety is the emotional response that occurs in anticipation of the presentation of the fear-inducing stimulus. Anxiety occurs with anticipation of an impending undesirable event or worry about an uncertain outcome through prior learning experiences and higher-order conditioning."

Signs that your dog is experiencing fear or anxiety:

coca: Sitting, held below the top line, turned away from the stressor

goja: lip licking, yawning, jaw clenching, gasping or clenching, pursed lips smile

The eyes: dilated pupils, whale eyes (exposed whites of the eyes), shifted gaze, feigned sleep, avoidance of eye contact (farsightedness)

The ears: flattened/wrapped close to the head, retracted

tail: Sitting below the top line, held close to the body or firmly placed between the legs

Body position: Recumbent (top line bent or squatted), rolled (belly up), C-shaped, frozen in place or bent over. /Telegraph/