Fear, Anxiety & Stress

Understanding what your dog is “saying” with their body is the first step to keeping them happy and healthy. On this page, we’ll walk you through the Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) resources from Fear Free—starting with the Body Language and Signs of FAS in Dogs chart (eyes, ears, tail, posture, and mouth), the FAS Spectrum from relaxed to severely scared, and the practical FAS Scale used in vet settings. Together, these tools help you spot the subtle early signs of stress—like lip licking, avoiding eye contact, or a furrowed brow—before they escalate into frantic escape attempts or aggression. Our goal with this review is to make the charts simple, user‑friendly, and real‑world relevant, so you feel confident reading your dog’s body language and advocating for calmer, kinder handling wherever your dog goes.

Relaxed vs. Stressed: Reading Body Language

The Body Language chart compares relaxed and stressed dogs, focusing on six key areas: face, eyes, ears, spine/posture, tail, and mouth.

Use this as your quick “is my dog okay?” checklist:

Face & Skin

• Relaxed: Soft, loose skin; smooth forehead

• Stressed: Skin looks tight, brow wrinkled, lips pulled back, jaw tense

Eyes

• Relaxed: Almond-shaped, normal-sized pupils, soft gaze

• Stressed: Pupils dilated, hard staring or deliberately looking away, “whale eye” (whites of the eyes showing)

Ears

• Relaxed: Neutral; back but not flattened, able to move freely

• Stressed: Pinned to the side or flat against the head

Spine & Posture

• Relaxed: Flexible from neck to tail, body loose

• Stressed: Rigid, stiff; body may be hunched or very still

Tail  (remember curly/docked tails need some interpretation by breed)

• Relaxed: Level with the back, maybe slightly above or below, easy wag

• Stressed: Very high or tightly tucked, may wag in a tight, choppy way

Mouth

• Relaxed: Mouth may be open or closed; long, soft lips; corners of the mouth relaxed

• Stressed: Mouth clamped shut or very tight, short tense lips, lip lift, or even biting

If several “stressed” boxes are checked, your dog is telling you they’re uncomfortable—even if they’re being “good” and staying still.

The FAS Levels: From Relaxed to “I Can’t Cope”

The FAS Spectrum handout shows canine body language along a sliding scale from relaxed to severe fear, anxiety, and stress.

Here’s a plain-language summary of the levels:

Level 0 – Relaxed

• Sleeping, resting, or casually exploring

• Soft body, neutral ears and tail, loose mouth, normal pupils

• Friendly greetings include gentle tail-and-butt wags, soft eyes, and relaxed mouth

Levels 0–1 – Perked / Alert / Maybe Anxious

• Engaged with the environment: tail up slightly, ears perked

• Eyes a bit more intense, pupils slightly larger

• May be excited, curious, or just mildly worried

Level 1 – Mild / Subtle FAS

• Lip licking, turning head away, avoiding eye contact

• Lifting a paw, partially dilated pupils

• Light panting with relaxed mouth corners

This is your early warning zone—perfect time to give space, add treats, and lower the challenge before things escalate.

Level 2 – Moderate FAS (Early)

• Ears slightly back or to the side

• Tail lowered, but not necessarily fully tucked

• Furrowed brow, slow movements or fidgeting, can’t fully settle

• Panting with a slightly tighter mouth, moderately dilated pupils

• Often still taking treats, toys, or attention

  
  

Level 3 – Moderate FAS (Escalating)

• Similar body language to Level 2, but more intense

• May turn the head away, hesitate to interact, or take treats roughly

• Might briefly refuse food

At Levels 2–3, we’re in the CAUTION zone: the dog is coping, but just barely. Pushing any further can tip them into freeze, flight, or fight.

Level 4 – Severe FAS: Flight / Freeze / Fret

• Trying hard to escape: slinking, bolting for the door, pulling away

• Or “freezing”: very still, hunched body, trembling, rapid breathing

• Dilated pupils, ears pinned, tail tucked tightly

• Mouth tightly closed or excessive, tight panting, may show the whites of the eyes

  
  

Level 5 – Severe FAS: Fight / Aggression

• Growling, snarling, lunging, snapping, or biting

• Offensive stance: weight shifted forward, tail high, hard eye

• Or defensive stance: body low, tail tucked, all teeth showing, still ready to bite

  
  

At Levels 4–5, the dog isn’t being “naughty”—they’re in survival mode. The FAS Scale recommends stopping what we’re doing and using medication, sedation, and other veterinary strategies if needed to keep everyone safe.

The FAS Scale: A Traffic Light for Stress

The FAS (Fear, Anxiety and Stress) Scale turns those observations into a 0–5 rating we can use throughout a vet visit or other stressful event.

It’s often shown as a “traffic light”:

• GO – Levels 0–1 (Low FAS)

  • Dog is relaxed or only mildly unsure

  • Readily takes treats, enjoys toys and attention

  • Great time to train, examine, handle, or do simple procedures

    
    

• CAUTION – Levels 2–3 (Moderate FAS)

  • Dog is worried and fidgety, may struggle to settle

  • Interest in food or play goes up and down

  • We slow down, change handling, give breaks, maybe use pre-visit nutraceuticals or medications (under veterinary guidance)

    
    

• STOP – Levels 4–5 (High FAS)

  • Dog is freezing, trying to flee, or actively aggressive

  • Little to no interest in food, play, or attention

  • We stop, protect safety, and plan a different approach—often including sedation and a Fear Free plan for future visits with your vet

In veterinary settings, the Scale is used at multiple touchpoints—lobby, scale, exam room, procedures, treatment, and boarding—to track how the dog is feeling and to adjust the plan accordingly.

Why FAS Matters for Welfare

Chronic or intense stress doesn’t just affect behavior; it can impact sleep, learning, and health. Research on dogs shows that poor rest, long periods alone, and over- or under-stimulation all raise stress scores and can contribute to problem behaviors.

Using tools like the FAS Spectrum and Scale helps us:

• Catch stress early, before it turns into aggression or shutdown

• Protect your dog’s mental and physical wellbeing

• Make experiences like vet visits, grooming, and training kinder and more effective

These Fear Free® tools are now widely recommended in modern behavior and veterinary texts as part of gold‑standard, low‑stress care.

What You Can Do at Home

You don’t have to memorize every detail on the charts to help your dog. Start with these simple habits:

• Become a body‑language detective

  • Notice when your dog’s face tightens, pupils widen, tail tucks, or they lick their lips and look away.

  • Treat those early signs as a cue to give space, slow down, or change the situation.

• Use consent‑based handling and petting

  • Invite your dog in, then pause regularly and see if they choose to stay or move away. Respect the “no, thanks.”

• Pair scary things with good things

  • Work with a Fear Free–style trainer or veterinary behaviorist on desensitization and classical counterconditioning—gently and gradually pairing triggers (like nail clippers, the car, or the vet clinic) with high‑value treats and fun.

• Advocate for your dog in public

  • If your dog is showing Level 2–3 signs around people or dogs, it’s okay to say, “We’re training, please give us space.”

• Plan ahead for vet and grooming visits

  • Share your dog’s stress history with the team.

  • Ask about Fear Free handling, pre‑visit medications, or alternative setups (e.g., waiting in the car instead of a busy lobby).

Final Thoughts

If you’ve read this far, please take a second to give yourself some credit. Learning to recognize fear, anxiety, and stress in your dog isn’t always easy, and it can bring up a lot of emotions—worry, guilt, even sadness about times you might have missed the signs. That’s normal, and it’s okay. What matters most is that you’re here now, choosing a kinder, more understanding way forward. Your dog doesn’t need you to be perfect; they just need you to be curious, gentle, and willing to listen to what their body language is telling you. Every small change you make—a quieter approach, a choice to skip something overwhelming, an extra moment to let them sniff and decompress—is a huge act of love from their point of view. As you keep learning and practicing, remember you’re not alone; Fear Free–oriented trainers, vets, and behavior professionals are there to support you and your dog. One soft, thoughtful step at a time, you’re building exactly what your dog wants most: safety, trust, and a life where they can truly relax by your side.