
Wouldn't it be nice if your dog could just open their mouth and say,"No!"
That way, you'd instantly understand. And you wouldn't have any miscommunications.
But unfortunately, things don't work that simply. And instead, you have to read your dog's behavior.
So here's what to look for to understand that your dog really doesn't want to do something:
1. Excessive Lip Licking
Yes. Your dog licks their lips after eating a tasty treat or finishing their meal.
But when they keep licking their lips, and especially so in combination with some of the behaviors below, they're really saying "no" to whatever's going on.
2. Yawning
Yawning doesn't always mean "no." It can simply mean your dog is tired and ready for bed. Or, maybe they just need to continue their nap.
But, in certain situations, yawning can actually be a sign of stress and a way your dog says, "no."
For example, this could be when a stranger attempts to pet your dog, when they are in an unfamiliar environment, or if they are being restrained.
In all those situations, a yawn means your dog is stressed.
3. Avoiding Eye Contact
It's easy to feel overwhelmed with joy when your dog stares at you with a long, loving look.
But what if they turn their head when a stranger approaches?
If the latter is happening, your dog is more than likely saying they really don't want anything to do with the stranger.
And in that case, you should tell the person to calmly step away.
4. Seeing the Whites of Your Dog's Eyes
Also called "whale eye," seeing the whites of your dog's eyes indicates stress and a desire to not be a part of whatever's going on.
The classic example is one of a child giving a dog a hug. Everyone seems so happy that the dog is lovingly tolerating the child squeezing them.
However, looking at the dog's eyes tells a different story. And if you see the whites of your dog's eyes, that means they're stressed.
And truthfully, they really don't want to be a part of what's going on. So, you'd be best off telling your child to leave the dog alone and to give him or her a hug later.
5. Pacing
In this case, your dog is just like a human. Pacing indicates stress and anxiety going on within your dog.
You might see this behavior when waiting for the vet, for example. Your dog is in unfamiliar territory. And if they've been to the vet before, they might be worrying what's going to happen to them this time.
6. Too Much Eye Contact
Of all the warning signs of "no" on this post, this is one of the most extreme.
A dog that stands stiff and stares hard at another person or dog is saying they are totally uncomfortable with that person or dog.
Children, unfortunately, can miss the warning sign. And the result could be intense growling or even a bite.
7. Shaking
Wet dogs shake off water to help themselves dry faster. That's totally normal and perfectly okay.
Dry dogs, however, shake off intension emotions. This includes stress and anxiety.
By shaking, they're basically saying they're done with whatever the activity happens to be at the time.
So, respect your dog's shaking and give them the time off they need to refresh and relax.
8. Drooling
When under high stress, some dogs actually drool more.
For example, drooling can happen when you take your dog in the car. Even though they're excited to go for a car ride, they may feel stressed because they don't know where they'll end up.
Your trip could end at the dog park. Or it could be the vet. And so, you might notice extra drooling from your dog.
9. A Tucked Tail
A dog's tail indicates many different emotions. One of those emotions can be stress and discomfort.
Whenever you see your dog's tail drift low and between their legs, they are not comfortable with what's going on.
If you ever notice your dog doing this, calmly and slowly remove them from the situation they're in.
10. A Wagging Tail
Believe it or not, a wagging tail does not always indicate happy emotions. And in fact, a wagging tail can indicate many different emotions.
For example, a stiff and high wagging tail can indicate aggression and extreme discomfort with the situation. A slow and lower wag indicates either relaxation or caution.
11. Sweating Paw Pads
Dogs do sweat just a little through their paw pads, even under normal conditions.
When a dog feels stressed, however, they'll leave damp, sweat-slick paw prints on dry surfaces.
If you notice this happening, look for something that could be agitating your dog and remedy the situation if possible.
12. Whining or More Intense Barking
Dog bark to indicate many different things. Intense barking, however, is a sign of stress.
Whining can also be a sign of stress.
13. Licking
Here we're not just talking about licking their lips. Any excess licking in general can indicate stress in your dog and be a way of saying, "No."
Your dog may lick their lips for no apparent physical reason (heat, exercise, tiredness, presence of food) in this case.
14. Eye and Ear Changes
Just like people under stress, stressed dogs can have dilated pupils and blink rapidly.
And instead of relaxing their ears, they might pin them back against their head.
15. Body Posture Changes
Dogs normally distribute their weight evenly on all four of their legs. A dog under stress may shift all his weight to his back legs or cower.
16. Shedding
Shedding usually indicates a higher degree of stress. This could happen during a trip to the vet, for example. It can also happen in situations where it's less noticeable, such as going to the dog park.
17. Sudden Changes in Bodily Functions
Just like some people do, dogs can feel an urge to go to the bathroom when in a stressful situation. They may urinate shortly after meeting a new dog.
They may also refuse food or lose control of their bowels.
18. Avoidant Behavior
Dog may try to escape a stressful situation by sniffing something, licking their genitals, or simply turning and facing another way.
Though it's annoying that your dog might do this, it's certainly much better than using aggression to deal with the situation.
19. Hiding
Some dogs may also choose to hide in order to deal with their stress. They might quickly move behind their owner, or even behind a parked car or tree. And they can also nudge the owner, encouraging them to move along.
By the way, if your dog uses avoidant behavior or hiding when they meet new people, respect their choice. Forcing them to do something they want no part of can lead to a bite.
Instead, just tell people they can't pet your dog and let it be at that.
Whew! That's a lot of signs of stress to read in dog behavior. Did you catch them all?