Dobermans Pinchers are a sensitive breed that, in general, are pretty good at letting you know what’s bothering them. But dogs have a language that is very different from ours and sometimes we miss signals simply because we do not know they mean anything. In order to help your Dobie get over things that make her stressed, anxious or afraid, you first need to know when she is feeling these emotions. The following are five signs your Doberman is stressed.
#1 – Lip Licking & Yawning
Lip licking or tongue flicks – where the tongue comes out just a bit and got back in quickly – are signs your Doberman is nervous. Often it is followed or preceded by a yawn, another sign of stress in dogs.
#2 – Whining & Barking
Whining is often a sign that your Doberman is stressed about something. If yours is whining and you know he doesn’t have to go outside to go potty, he may be stressed. Whining can turn into stress barking if the source of the anxiety has not been removed. It’s important to realize that if your Dobie is reactive (barks at things), he may actually be fearful and not aggressive.
#3 – Ears Back
Whether or not their ears have been altered, A Doberman who is scared will move those ears back and down. It’s a good thing to watch for if you think your Dobie is in a situation that makes her uncomfortable.
#4 – Won’t Eat
Another sign of stress your Doberman may display is an unwillingness to eat. Whether you are training or just offering him his meal, a stressed dog often won’t eat. Or, they may eat but take the food very hard and accidentally bite you. In both cases your Dobie is most likely anxious about something.
#5 – Furrowed Brow
Since Doberman are short-haired, you can look for “worry lines” on their face. Like us, dogs will wrinkle their brow when worried.
