Signs of Stress in Therapy Dogs: Welfare First -

Dog body language stress refers to the subtle physical cues therapy dogs use to communicate discomfort or anxiety. Common indicators include lip licking, yawning, and whale eye. Recognizing these signs is crucial for NZ therapy dog handlers to ensure animal welfare remains the priority during therapeutic visits and interactions.

Understanding Dog Body Language Stress in Therapy Settings

In the burgeoning field of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) across New Zealand, the welfare of the canine partner is paramount. While therapy dogs provide immense emotional support to humans in hospitals, schools, and aged-care facilities, the work itself can be taxing. Understanding dog body language stress is the first line of defense in protecting these dedicated animals. Unlike pet dogs who can choose to move away from a situation, therapy dogs are often in environments where their movement is restricted by leashes or the expectations of their role. This makes it imperative for handlers to be fluent in the silent language of canine anxiety.

Stress in dogs is not always manifested as growling or cowering. In fact, for a well-trained therapy dog, stress is almost always communicated through “displacement behaviors”—small, seemingly out-of-context actions that indicate the dog is trying to self-soothe or process internal conflict. In the New Zealand context, where therapy dog programs are increasingly integrated into professional healthcare and education, maintaining high welfare standards ensures the longevity of the dog’s career and the safety of the public.

Subtle Signs: Lip Licking, Yawning, and Whale Eye

What is Lip Licking in Therapy Dogs?

One of the most frequently overlooked signs of dog body language stress is the quick lip lick or tongue flick. When a dog is not eating or drinking, a rapid flick of the tongue over the nose or lips usually indicates a rise in cortisol levels. In a therapy session, this might happen when a stranger reaches over the dog’s head or when the environment becomes too loud. Handlers often mistake this for the dog being “friendly” or “giving kisses,” but in a therapeutic context, it is often a request for space.

The Contextual Yawn

While humans yawn when tired, dogs often yawn to diffuse tension. A stress yawn is typically wider, more intense, and may be accompanied by a body stretch or a high-pitched whine. If a therapy dog begins yawning repeatedly while being petted by a group of children, they are signaling that they are reaching their threshold for social interaction. It is a physiological attempt to lower their heart rate and stay calm under pressure.

Identifying Whale Eye

“Whale eye” occurs when a dog averts their head slightly but keeps their eyes fixed on the perceived threat, causing the whites of the eyes (the sclera) to appear in a half-moon shape. This is a clear indicator that the dog feels anxious or guarded. In therapy work, whale eye often appears when a dog is being hugged or held too tightly—actions that many humans find comforting but most dogs find threatening. Recognizing whale eye is critical because it often precedes more overt defensive behaviors.

The Importance of Advocate Handling

In New Zealand, the philosophy of “advocate handling” is gaining traction among professional therapy dog teams. An advocate handler does not just manage the dog; they serve as the dog’s voice. This requires a shift in perspective from “What can my dog do for these people?” to “How is my dog feeling about this interaction?” Advocate handling involves constant scanning of the dog’s physical state and the environment’s impact on them.

A handler acting as an advocate will proactively step in to stop an interaction if they see the dog’s ears pinning back or their tail tucking. They are responsible for educating the public on how to interact with the dog respectfully—for example, encouraging petting on the chest rather than the top of the head. By prioritizing the dog’s comfort, the handler builds a deep bond of trust, ensuring the dog feels safe enough to perform their role effectively. Without this advocacy, dogs can experience “burnout,” leading to a refusal to work or, in extreme cases, fear-based aggression.

Establishing Visit Duration Limits

How long should a therapy dog session last? In the New Zealand therapy dog community, the general consensus for an active visiting session is between 45 to 60 minutes. While some dogs may seem happy to continue, the cognitive load of navigating human emotions and staying in a “calm” state is exhausting. Even if a dog isn’t showing overt signs of dog body language stress, their ability to process information and maintain impulse control diminishes over time.

Factors that should shorten a visit include high ambient temperatures, slippery floor surfaces which cause physical strain, and high-intensity environments like emergency departments or busy primary schools. It is better to end a session while the dog is still happy and engaged than to wait until they are visibly depleted. Quality of interaction always trumps quantity. Setting firm boundaries with facility staff regarding visit length is a hallmark of a professional and ethical therapy dog team.

Post-Visit Decompression Techniques

The work of a therapy dog doesn’t end when they leave the facility. Decompression is the process of allowing the dog’s nervous system to return to a baseline state. During a visit, a dog’s sympathetic nervous system is often highly engaged; decompression allows the parasympathetic nervous system to take over. This is vital for preventing the long-term accumulation of stress hormones, a phenomenon known as “trigger stacking.”

The Power of the ‘Sniffari’

One of the best ways for a dog to decompress in the New Zealand landscape is through a “sniffari.” Allowing a dog to lead a walk on a long line, sniffing whatever they choose, provides significant mental relief. Scent work is naturally calming for dogs and helps them process the day’s events. Whether it’s a local park in Christchurch or a beach in Auckland, giving the dog 20-30 minutes of unstructured sniffing time after a visit is a great welfare practice.

Physical Release and Rest

Some dogs may need a physical release, such as a game of fetch or a zoomie in the backyard, to shake off the physical tension of staying still and calm. Following this, providing a quiet, dark space at home where the dog will not be disturbed is essential. A high-value chew or a stuffed food toy can also help the dog relax, as chewing and licking are natural stress-reducing behaviors for canines.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Welfare for Longevity

The success of therapy dog programs in New Zealand relies entirely on the well-being of the dogs involved. By mastering the nuances of dog body language stress and implementing strict welfare protocols—such as advocate handling, visit limits, and decompression—we ensure that these animals remain willing and happy participants in their work. A stressed dog cannot provide the same level of therapeutic benefit as a relaxed one, and more importantly, every therapy dog deserves a life that prioritizes their emotional safety as much as the humans they serve. When we put welfare first, we create a sustainable model for the future of animal-assisted interventions.