Glossary

Stress signals

Small changes in behavior, such as panting without heat, yawning, shaking off or a tucked tail, that show a dog is uneasy.

Also called: signs of stress in dogs, stress behaviors, displacement behaviors, anxiety signs

Dogs rarely start with growling or biting. Earlier, they show stress signals: yawning when not tired, lip licking, panting while not hot, shaking off as if wet, a tucked or low tail, ears pinned back, a tense mouth, whale eye, turning away, scratching or sniffing at odd moments, freezing and trembling. Some dogs also shed more or lose appetite.

Reading them lets an owner act early by giving the dog space, ending a game or leaving a situation, before the dog feels it must escalate. Context matters: a dog that yawns after waking is just tired.

They do not say what has upset the dog, so look at what has just happened. Persistent or sudden stress signs without a clear cause can signal pain or illness and are worth a veterinary visit.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Calming signals Subtle behaviors such as yawning, turning away and sniffing that dogs are said to use to ease tension and avoid conflict. Whale eye A look in which a dog turns its head away but keeps its eyes on something, showing a crescent of white, and is often uneasy. Lip licking A quick tongue flick over the lips or nose that, outside mealtimes, often signals a dog is nervous or uncertain. Trigger stacking Several stressful events building up in a short time so that a dog that would normally cope reacts strongly to a small extra trigger.