Signs of Stress and Identifying Triggers

Dogs may display various signs of stress when reacting to triggers. Recognizing dog body language is essential for understanding your dog's emotional state and identifying specific reactive dog triggers that provoke a stress response. Look for the following dog stress signals:

1. Behavioral Signs:

• Excessive barking or growling
  

• Lunging or pulling on the leash
  

• Hiding or attempting to escape
  

2. Body Language:

• Whale eye (showing the whites of their eyes)
  
  

• Raised hackles/piloerection (hair standing up along the back)
  

• Stiff body posture / Tense muscles
  

• Tail tucked or held high and rigid
  

• Ears pinned back or forward and alert
  

3. Physiological Responses:

• Excessive panting, especially with “spatula tongue”
  

• Drooling
  

• Trembling or shaking
  

• Yawning or lip licking (when not tired or hungry)
  

• Avoiding eye contact or looking away / cold shoulder
  

• Pacing or inability to settle
  

• Refusing treats (when normally food-motivated)
  

Recognizing these dog stress signals can help you pinpoint specific reactive dog triggers that may be causing your dog stress.

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Common Triggers Checklist

Below is a checklist of common triggers categorized by type. Guardians can mark off which

triggers affect their dog and note the approximate distance at which the dog reacts.

Visual Triggers: Things a dog sees

Auditory Triggers: Sounds that provoke a response

Olfactory Triggers- Scents that cause a reaction

Tactile Triggers - Physical sensations that elicit a response

Situational Triggers - Specific environments or contexts that lead to a

Reaction

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Instructions for Guardians:

1. Observe your dog during various situations and environments.

2. Check the box next to any trigger that causes a stress response in your dog.

3. In the "Reaction Distance" column, note the approximate distance at which your dog starts showing signs of stress or reactivity to that trigger.

4. Use this checklist to track progress over time and to communicate with trainers, behaviorists, or veterinary professionals about your dog's specific triggers and thresholds.

Remember, every dog is unique, and triggers can change over time. Regularly updating this

A checklist can help you better understand and manage your dog's reactivity.

Conclusion

If you have any questions, concerns, or need further guidance, please reach out to your

Homeschool Trainer by sending a message to Homeschool Support. Videos of your dog’s

reaction to triggers can be valuable, please take your dog’s and your own safety into

consideration!

Author bio:

Written by The Homeschool Dog Expert Team

Our team of certified trainers and behaviorists brings over 50 years of combined experience, and every expert is personally vetted, Fear Free certified, and deeply committed to helping dogs (and their people) thrive at home. Need help with your pup? Talk to a dog expert today.