Poodles are a wonderful breed because they are usually good with whatever comes along – it’s one of the reasons they are used frequently for therapy, service and performance work. This does not mean that they never get stressed, anxious or afraid of anything. And no matter how intelligent they are, they still can’t speak our language. This is why it’s so important to learn your dog’s body language so you can “hear” her when something is bothering her. The following are five signs your Poodle is stressed.
#1 – Whale Eye
“Whale eye” is when the white in your dog’s eye – around the iris – is visible. Sometimes, the eye may actually bulge out if your Poodle is very stressed. While this may be hard to see on white Poodles, it will be very evident on darker colors.
#2 – Shaking
Many small breed dogs will shake if they are stressed. Barring cold temperatures, if your Miniature or Toy Poodle is shivering, something is scaring her.
#3 – Lip Licking
Your Poodle may lip lick and yawn when he is stressed. It’s usually a slower lip lick than when they are tasting something good. It can also look like a “flick” where the tongue comes out and goes back in without actually licking their lips.
#4 – Whining
A stressed Poodle will often whine. Some will pace, and some will stay in one spot. If your dog 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 and his anxiety heightens.
#5 – Tail Tuck
Poodles have a great tail that sticks straight up for the most part. However, if your Poodle is not happy, that tail is going to be drooping straight down. Watching your Poodles’s tail can help you assess her mood (just remember that a wagging tail does not always mean the dog is happy/friendly!)
