Comments on: How Do You Know When Your Dog Is Stressed?

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 04:21:58 +0000

How to tell when laid back dogs show stress? That’s a hard one. Leroy sounds a lot like Honey because he’s normally a very go with the flow kind of dog. Over the years I’ve learned that when he’s stressed he becomes like velcro to me. He’ll even look at me more, almost like he’s looking for reassurance. Sherman’s a ball of stress. He’s like a human that way and has several different signs.

By: Kristina

Kristina — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 19:13:10 +0000

Domino is a stress machine (he was in a shelter for 3 years and is getting better, but…). He will pant, lick his lips, yawn, make little mewling noises, and he especially likes scratching the floor (like he’s burying his poop, but he hasn’t gone to the bathroom).

By: Pamela

Pamela — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 11:50:11 +0000

In reply to KB.

Lots of wisdom here that we’re trying hard to incorporate on the boat.

We have had her up in the cockpit a few times when it was rough because that’s what she wanted. It meant that if one of us left the cockpit (to trim a sail or make lunch), the other had to keep one hand on Honey’s life jacket handle. But it can be tough.

I do keep bully sticks as treats. But I worry they could be dangerous in the wrong conditions (as could be a heavy Kong; everything in a seaway becomes a projectile). I’ll have to figure out something long lasting and safe.

No freezer so we can’t prepare frozen treats.

Of course, my first goal is to only go out when it’s comfortable and safe. But more than once we’ve gotten out on the bay when the marine forecast told us to expect 1-2 foot waves and they actually got over 8 feet! Unfortunately, 6-8 foot waves in the shallow bay feels more like 12-15 feet in the ocean. Ugh.

By: KB

KB — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 04:19:31 +0000

My dog’s body language tells the story – ears back, posture low, generally looking like she’s trying to disappear. Because she was like that *all the time* when we first adopted her, we know the signs very very well. She had a long (3 yr) rehabilitation period. Our rule is that “it’s always her choice”. If she looks nervous, I don’t let people approach her – I tell them that she will approach them when she’s ready. If she’s too scared to get out of the car, that’s fine. We can wait until she’s ready (unless we’re at vet appt!). That’s a lot harder in your situation… except for taking every opportunity to let Honey make a choice of how she wants to ride out a rough patch (if her choice is safe and you can spare a person to watch out for her). Could you do something like prepare frozen stuffed kongs ahead of time to occupy her during the rough patches?

I knew nothing about fear in dogs until I met my Shyla. “It’s your choice…” truly saved her. We never force her to do anything. My trainer taught me this approach, and I love it! Maybe you can think of ways to incorporate it.

By: Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom

Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 20:16:58 +0000

Callie used to climb into my lap – if I was sitting – or wedge herself between my legs during thunderstorms. Bless her heart, she hated storms! But I let her stay wherever she was and reassured her that I’d protect her until she felt better. If the storm came at night, she would climb up on the bed with me and try to crawl into the headboard. I usually just got her to lay down next to me, and I wrapped myself around her in a fetal-like position. And then gave her a relaxation massage and whispered reassurances in her ear. She usually calmed down enough to move away from me and go to sleep.

By: Kirsten

Kirsten — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 19:52:03 +0000

Fozzie is very similar to Honey! When he gets worried he climbs on top of us or as close to a human body as he can get. It makes for some very hot and uncomfortable (and damp, from the drool) summer thunderstorms.

I’ve been thinking of you lately as the weather gets into the frigid range for the first time this East Coast winter. You are brave humans and dog for living on your boat!

By: Misaki

Misaki — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 19:28:46 +0000

When I get stressed I like to sit real close to mummy and daddy. They were worried about me over christmas as we had lots of visitors and we were out of our routine and I wasn’t quite myself, so they got me an adaptil plug-in thing. It seems to work really well. Maybe it w0uld help Honey too?

By: Jan K

Jan K — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 14:28:57 +0000

Mostly we see panting or pacing when the dogs are stressed. Sheba will also paw at me when in a new situation, so I try to get down on her level and reassure her. Keeping her moving sometimes helps, but I know that’s not an option for you on the boat! With Cricket I can sometimes distract her by giving her a ball, her favorite toy.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 03:33:01 +0000

Aw, that sounds like a rough morning for you and Honey. Haley comes to me when she’s stressed or not feeling well. She’s got the whole ears back, sorry look on her face and if she’s really stressed her tail is tucked.

Isn’t it the best feeling in the world to make a stressed dog feel better? Even if you can’t change the wind, waves or whatever is stressing them out, they’re happier knowing you’re close by and that you care.

By: Lauren Miller

Lauren Miller — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 22:00:22 +0000

In reply to Pamela. Usually because her eyes get buggy and also you can see the "whale eye" (white part showing). I do tend to have a hard time telling when my dogs are sick. Usually Phoenix will just throw up if she's not feeling well. If I suspect someone is wrong, I will also take their temperature and check their gums. One huge thing for at least Phoenix is if she goes off her food at all. That dog lives to eat.