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Inhibited Stress in Dogs

Writer's picture: BAXTER & BellaBAXTER & Bella

by Bailey Coldwell


Being aware of our dog’s body language is important. We want to be able to tell when dogs are uncomfortable or overwhelmed, as they speak a totally different language than us and can’t just tell us what they are feeling. Some dogs can hide their emotions well, this is what we are going to be talking about today to help us understand dogs who show stress in inhibited ways. 



One definition of “inhibited stress” is: 


“ . . . a state where someone experiences stress but actively suppresses or restrains their outward emotional expression of it, essentially "holding back" their feelings due to various factors like social norms, fear, or a personal tendency to internalize emotions . . .” 


People show stress in different ways, not just dogs. One person might start rambling, increase their walking pace, and speed clean when stressed. Another friend might try to find a corner far away from everyone and curl up into a little ball. 


When in a distracting environment, many dogs might show stress in ways that appear activated. The dog could be pacing, panting, whining, not checking in with us, and overall have a higher energy level than desired. Activated stress tends to be more evident than a dog showing stress on the other end of the spectrum. When a dog shows inhibited stress, it might appear as a great thing because the dog seems “calm.” But if the dog is showing stress in inhibited ways, we can accidentally force our dogs to be in environments they aren’t comfortable with. 


A common environment that I see inhibited stress in dogs is leash walking. On the outside, the dog might be walking slowly, not pulling, and not acting interested in triggers such as people, other dogs, and squirrels. But they could actually be facing an internal struggle that can result in growing fear, built-up reactivity, and the dog simply not enjoying the walk. 


So, how do we determine if the dog is emotionally at a good place or is actually stressed in inhibited ways?  


I want you to think of a time when your dog was undoubtedly happy, carefree, and confident. Here are some examples of common times that dogs are “happy”: 


  • when familiar people come home 


  • when someone offers the dog their favorite snack


  • when you play with the dog 


  • when you are petting your dog in their favorite spot


  • letting your dog out first thing in the morning to sniff and run around


What does your dog’s body language look like when they are in these happy moments? Here are some examples:


  • loose body language. Even wiggly. Their bodies are more “noodle-like” than “toy soldier-like”. 


  • tails wagging loosely, medium speed, and medium height. 


  • curious and moderate sniffing 


  • mouth seems relaxed and not tight


  • not too slow, not too fast pace


If the dog's body language doesn’t look similar to when you know that your dog is happy, it is best to slow down regarding the environment your dog is currently in. You can also always send us a video of your dog in these moments, and we, as trainers, can help decipher what your dog is trying to “say.”


Here are some signs that your dog is showing inhibited stress:


  • walking slower than they usually do inside the home or other comfortable setting


  • a lot of lip-licking


  • side eying (being able to see the whites of their eyes)


  • spooked easily 


  • tail lower than normal 


  • tail higher than normal


  • wanting to avoid getting closer to something


  • lagging behind


  • not wanting to focus on you when trying to get their attention


  • panting 


  • stopping completely and not wanting to continue


  • overall body language is tense


  • the dog seems extra alert to the  environment


  • eager to rush towards comfortable areas such as back to the home, under the bed, or in their crate


  • not taking treats or more hesitant to take treats than normal 


  • not responding to training cues or performing them much slower than they typically do


  • ears frequently pressed back against their heads or flattened down 


What can happen if we disregard the signs of the inhibited, stressed-out dog? 

‘Flooding’ is a complete immersion technique to expose the dog to fear without the option to escape, hoping that the dog will confront their fears and simply “get over it.” 

An example of this might be shutting the dog in a crate beside a person the dog fears. The dog might be tucked in the far corner of the crate, not reacting. Great, right? Not if the dog is one to show stress in inhibited ways. We want to see that the dog is wagging their tail in the crate, ears perked, interested in coming out and sniffing at the front of the crate. If a dog is showing signs of inhibited stress and is being flooded by the trigger (forced to be near the trigger), this can result in: 


  • Increased fight or flight response. The dog can be more likely to show aggression when near the crate or near that person again due to the anticipation of a negative event happening. The dog could also be more likely to try to escape the situation. 


  • Traumatic experience: Being forced to remain in a scary position can create more anxiety and fear when in similar situations. 


  • Reinforce an already negative association: The dog is likely already uncomfortable with this setup. Exposing them to the setup at a more intense rate can prove to them that it is in their best interest to remain fearful. 


  • Lack of trust and bonding: If we as handlers force our dog to be in these situations, it can hinder their relationship with us. 


  • Ethical considerations: Flooding can put the hope for a quick result above the well-being and emotional state of the dog. 


Be mindful that some stress is okay, unavoidable, and natural. Recovery time is what you want to be on the lookout for. I can, for example, spill my cup of coffee without letting it ruin my whole day. If I spill my coffee, my car breaks down, my phone is dead, and no one stops to offer help, this stress level could ruin my day. Dogs might hear a sudden noise and flinch or quickly turn in that direction. But are they then able to “shake it off”? When a dog shakes, as though they are wet when getting out of the water, this is a common way of them letting go of the stress they were feeling. If your dog can shake it off and go back to their neutral and happy selves, great! If the dog flinches at the noise, tucks his tail, cowers, and slows down, we likely need to backtrack to help the dog recover. 


How do we help dogs learn to recover more efficiently if they are stressed? Here are some ideas: 


  • Don’t force something you desire, sacrificing the dog’s ability to be comfortable. Ex. cancel the lunch date at the dog-friendly cafe if the dog is “shutting down.” 


  • Confidence-building activities can help your dog feel more capable of itself. Check out dog sports, free shaping, fun cues, balance boards, etc. 


  • Work on your reaction. We don’t want to coddle the dog, but we don’t want to dismiss them. Act carefree, supportive, and happy. 


  • Be mindful of where the dog is developmentally. Dogs going through adolescence and/or fear periods may be extra sensitive. 


  • Be accepting of the dog’s stress. Even though we know that that “terrifying” item ahead is just an umbrella, it is a true fear for your dog. 


I hope this has helped you determine what your dog might be trying to “tell” you. You are doing great by reading along and wanting to learn how to be better able to determine what your dog is feeling. Reach out to us for further support! 


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