Stress in dogs is much talked about, but often not precisely enough. Many think stress is something a dog experiences and then forgets. In reality, if we do not allow a dog to rest, stress accumulates and in time begins to harm the body.
Important note: this text is of a professional and informative nature and does not replace veterinary care. Every dog is an individual. At the slightest doubt, or at any sign of illness, always call your veterinarian.
The body needs time to return to balance
After every stressful event, a dog's body needs time to settle and return to balance. This time is not the same for all. It depends on how strong the stress was, and also on the dog itself, its character, genetics and age. It can take a few hours, or with stronger stress, a few days.
And here is the essence. If we expose a dog to something demanding again before it has settled, the stress is not erased but added up. The layers pile one on another until the dog reaches a state of chronic stress.
How chronic stress shows in behaviour
A dog in chronic stress often behaves in a way that makes owners think it is naughty or badly raised. In reality it is overloaded.
It shows as restlessness and hyperactivity, as if the dog cannot stop. As excessive sensitivity to the environment, when the dog reacts strongly to things that did not bother it before. As irritability. Or, conversely, as timidity and withdrawal.
Repetitive patterns often appear too, such as excessive licking, chewing, biting objects or walking in circles. These are not whims. They are the body's attempts to calm itself, as repetitive movement releases substances that bring relief.
How chronic stress shows in the body
Here it surprises many how far stress reaches. It affects not only mood but almost every bodily system.
The immune system weakens, so the dog is more prone to infections and diseases, and allergies can worsen.
Digestion suffers. Diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach inflammation and poorer nutrient absorption appear. The gut and brain are closely linked, so a tense dog often digests poorly too.
The skin and ears can become inflamed, as can the eyes, gums and urinary tract.
Sleep worsens, which is especially serious, as a dog recovers precisely during sleep. A vicious circle forms, where tiredness increases stress and stress prevents sleep.
How we help a dog
The first step is observation. We must work out what is really burdening the dog. Every dog has its own threshold, and what leaves one cold overwhelms another.
The second step is to ensure real rest. A dog needs a safe, calm corner where no one disturbs it. For puppies this means eighteen to twenty hours of sleep a day.
The third step is to give it activities that release tension. Chewing, licking and solving simple mental tasks help the body settle. This is therapy for a dog, not entertainment.
And the fourth step, perhaps the most important, is predictability. When the day goes by a familiar order, the dog does not have to keep wondering what comes next. This in itself lowers the level of stress.
Why we mention this as breeders
Because all of this begins much earlier than we think. A pregnant female's stress transfers to the puppies. A restless environment in the first weeks leaves a mark. That is precisely why our pregnant females live in peace, and puppies grow up in a predictable, quiet environment.
A dog that grows up without unnecessary stress simply has a better starting point. Health and calm go hand in hand.
Literature and sources
Beerda B, Schilder MBH, van Hooff JARAM, de Vries HW, Mol JA (1998). Behavioural, saliva cortisol and heart rate responses to different types of stimuli in dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 58(3–4):365–381.
Dreschel NA (2010). The effects of fear and anxiety on health and lifespan in pet dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 125(3–4):157–162.
Sapolsky RM (2004). Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers. Henry Holt and Company.
