Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are affectionate little dogs that are fairly good at letting you know their moods. Like most small dogs, they can be wary of their environment – especially energetic children who may be a little rough. As an owner, you need to know when your King Charles is stressed so that you can handle the situation before that anxiety manifests itself in unwanted behavior, such as fear biting. The following are five signs your King Charles Spaniel is stressed.
#1 – Whale Eye
If your King Charles is showing the whites of his eye, then he is stressed about something. Called “whale eye,” it’s a very obvious sign that you need to change the environment.
#2 – Cowering
A stressed Cavalier will often try and find a place to hide. She may cower behind your feet with her body hunched over, or try to hide under furniture. She may even duck under her owner’s arm if she is being held.
#3 –Furrowed Brow
Since the fur on your King Charles Spaniel’s face is fairly short, you can look for “worry lines” on their face. Like us, dogs will wrinkle their brow when worried.
#4 – Won’t Eat
Another sign of stress your King Charles Spaniel may display is unwillingness to eat. Whether you are training or just offering him his meal, a stressed dog often won’t eat. Or, he may eat, but take the food very hard. He may even accidentally bite you. In both cases your Spaniel is most likely anxious about something.
#5 – Whining
Whining is often a sign that your Cavalier 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. If your King Charles is reactive (barks at things), he may actually be fearful and not aggressive.
