We know that as a nation we’re experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety. In fact, searches for “anxiety tips” and “stress relief” have been growing steadily over the past few years. And according to new research from Rover, nearly two out of three (65%) Brits claim to be feeling stressed more frequently than ever before!
How Is Stress Affecting Our Pooches?
Here at Rover, we polled 1000 people and found that over half (57%) of British dog owners believe their increasing stress levels are having a negative impact on their dogs. And whether it’s the inevitable pressure of work (61%), stretched finances (62%) or simply the chaos of family life (52%) bothering Brits, worryingly, a whopping 49% agree that the more stressed out they feel, the more nervous their pooch will act in return.
How To Recognise Signs of Stress In Your Dog
But while it seems instinctive for pups to recognise when their pet parent is feeling agitated (79%), the same can’t always be said for us humans, as nearly a third (30%) admit to missing the signs that their dogs are stressed. A further 34% say they struggle to understand the cause of it and 40% feel helpless with how to address it.
This is why it’s so important to be able to recognise signs of stress in your pup, which will ulti-mutt-ely help you to identify the trigger and bring you and your furry companion even closer together.
The Top 10 Most Common Signs of Stress Pet Owners See in Dogs
- A tucked-up body or tail (31%)
- Ear pinning (ears flat against their head) (30%)
- Shaking or trembling (24%)
- Panting or salvation (24%)
- Pacing (23%)
- Acting like your shadow (21%)
- Hyperactivity (20%)
- “Shaking off” when not wet (20%)
- Excessive yawning (19%)
- Crying (19%)
Paws and Relax with Rover’s Affirmation Cards
Nearly half of dog owners (45%) claimed that the best way to soothe their dog is by speaking in gentle, reassuring voices. In light of this, and in hopes of further educating pet parents on the impact their stress can have on their pets, Rover has created a new deck of ‘af-furmation cards’ – offering a fun, playful tool for responsible pet parenthood. Not only do they help owners recognise signs of stress in dogs, but they also provide simple solutions and mantras to calm them when life gets a little ruff! Download them for FREE by clicking here. Simply print the pages off, cut around the edges of the cards, and stick the front and back of the cards together, or print the pages double-sided if you can!
Solving stress
Our research also found that long walks, (53%), playtime (40%) and playing calming nature sounds (16%) were some of the most effective techniques amongst pet parents. However, it’s important to learn what works best for you and your fur-baby. Ultimately, dog behaviour is often complex, and these solutions are examples that may be helpful to your dog in overcoming any stress or anxiety they are suffering from. Professional advice from an accredited behaviourist and vet is advised in trickier cases, to ascertain the correct approach for your individual dog.
