Underneath that bouncy, joyful exterior, Boxers are a sensitive breed. They are very attuned to their owners and what is going on around them. This sensitivity makes them great companions, but it also means they can be overly sensitive, causing them to become stressed and anxious easily. The first step to helping your Boxer relax more in his environment is recognizing when he is feeling this way. The following are a few common signs your Boxer may be feeling stressed or anxious.
#1 – Whining
If your Boxer is whining but doesn’t have to go outside to go potty, he may be anxious about something. It’s a common sign of stress in dogs. Some may also bark.
#2 – Hyper Vigilant
While Boxers are active dogs, there is a difference between a dog whose “into everything” in a happy carefree manner, and the dog whose pacing, constantly looking at everything and appears “on edge.” A boxer who is stressed will not be able to settle. She will be constantly looking for the next scary thing and may pace the room or go back and forth on leash. Hard staring may accompany this movement.
#3 – Whale Eye
This is something a lot of dogs do when stressed. “Whale eye” is when your dog’s eye bulge and the white around the iris is visible. This is a definite sign that your Boxer is stressed or anxious. Due to the Boxers head shape and eyes, this can sometimes be hard to tell so you need to know what your dog’s normal eye set is – i.e. some Boxers always show a bit of white if they have droopy eyelids or “bug eyes.” In that case, you will need to look for other clues to determine your dog’s mood.
#4 – Lip licking
Lip licking is a common sign of stress. Your Boxer 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 – Panting
Panting is another universal sign of stress in dogs. If your Boxer hasn’t been exercising and it’s not hot out but he’s still panting excessively, he is probably stressed about something. Often, panting will be accompanied by yawning and whining.
