Anyone who has been around a Husky knows they are sensitive beings. Goofy, mischievous and very clever, they are above all highly sensitive. This makes them more prone to things like separation anxiety, a severe form of stress at being left alone. Many situations and environments can cause your Husky to be stressed or anxious. The trick is knowing when that is happening so you can fix it through training and/or changing the environment. To do this, you need to know some canine body language. The following are a few of the main signs your Husky is feeling stressed or anxious.
#1 – Vocalizing
Huskies are known for being “talkers.” But often your Husky is trying to tell you something important when he vocalizes. Like other breeds, your Husky may bark or whine, but they also have a tendency to howl when stressed or anxious.
#2 – Tucked Tail
An easy sign to look for is your Husky’s curled tail. While they normally carry it over their back or perhaps slightly uncurled, if her tail is laying down below her back, something is bothering her.
#3 – Lip Licking
Lip licking is a common sign of stress. Your Husky may lick his lips 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 – Panting
This is one you need to pay particular attention to with Huskies because many are quick to dismiss it thinking, “oh, my Husky is just warm.” But if the weather is mild and you haven’t been exercising, it could be a sign of stress. Watch your dog for other signs to figure out which state your dog is in (stressed or being too warm). Either situation needs to be fixed.
#5 – Ears Back
For the most part, Huskies have very erect ears. Once in a while you see one with one up and one down, but this is uncommon. Those erect ears are a great way to check your dog’s mood. If he puts them down and to the side – airplane ears – he may be stressed or anxious about something.
