7 Subtle Signs Your Dog Is Stressed (and What to Do About It)

The first time I noticed Tucker licking his lips while staring at a dog across the park but sitting quietly beside me, I thought it was nothing. But the more I studied dog psychology, the more I realized — he wasn’t relaxed. He was anxious. Waiting for something to happen. Watching me to see if I’d notice.

Dogs don’t tell us when they’re uncomfortable — they show us. And sometimes, their “I’m not okay” looks almost invisible.

Here are 7 super subtle signs that your dog is stressed — and what they’re really saying:

1. Lip licking when no food is around → A quiet plea for space or reassurance.

2. Yawning during play or training → A way to self-soothe and reset nervous energy.

3. Whale eye (seeing the whites of their eyes) → Your dog feels cornered or on edge, which could lead to an attack or bolt, based on their temperament.

4. Panting with a closed mouth or no heat → Elevated stress hormones.

5. Ears pulled back → Worry or uncertainty, not submission.

6. Stiff posture or frozen stance → Processing too much input — “fight, flight, or freeze.”

7. Shaking off after small interactions → Releasing built-up tension.

   
   

The goal isn’t to stop/prevent these behaviours. It’s to notice them before they grow into reactivity or shutdown. When Tucker started showing me these cues, instead of saying “You’re fine,” I started saying, “I see you" and redirecting or advocating for him. That one shift — understanding — softened everything.

💬 If you’ve ever wished you could understand your dog and be able to navigate and advocate their world with ease, grab my eBook Decode Your Dog: The Body Language Playbook. It’ll teach you how to translate 25+ subtle moments into safety, trust, and calm connection — both at home, on trail, at the dog park and more!

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