Your Schnauzer is an intelligent dog that is capable of doing almost anything. They are tenacious with a personality bigger than their body size, especially so in the case of the Standard and Miniature. But all of them, even the Giant Schnauzer, get anxious, stressed or fearful about something at some point – no matter how tough they may act. As an owner, it’s your job to know when all that bravado is really hiding insecurity. Here are five signs your Schnauzer 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 Schnauzer is very stressed. While this may be hard to see on white Schnauzers, it will be very evident on darker colors.
#2 – Whining & Barking
A stressed Schnauzer 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. If your Schnauzer is reactive (barks at things), he may actually be fearful and not aggressive.
#3 – Ears Back
A Schnauzers ears are very expressive and can help you figure out your dog’s mood. If those ears are back and flat against the head, she is may be unhappy about something.
#4 – Lip Licking
Your Schnauzer 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.
#5 – Won’t Eat
Another sign of stress your Schnauzer may display is 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, the may even accidentally bite you. In both cases, your Schnauzer is most likely anxious about something.
