Women are more aware of moderate stress levels in dogs than men are, according to a July 2012 study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior.

Researchers surveyed 1,190 dog owners to evaluate how owners perceive stress in their dogs through understanding of displayed behaviors. The behavioral indicators of stress most frequently identified by owners were trembling and whining, followed by aggressiveness, excessive barking, and panting.

More subtle behaviors such as looking elsewhere, turning of the head, yawning, and nose licking were more rarely reported, suggesting that few owners are able to correctly interpret and intervene in early stages of stress.

As to the gender gap, study authors concluded:

Men generally considered their dogs as experiencing low stress more often than did women, whereas women considered their dogs as being moderately stressed more often than did men.

An owner’s ability to recognize behavioral signs enables the owner to help the animal to avoid stressful situations, and favors a rapid recovery to a calmer state by interrupting the progression to overstress and distress. The results showed that some owners can help in protecting the welfare of their dogs, but that many owners would benefit from educational efforts to improve their ability to interpret their dogs’ behavior.

Mariti C, Gazzano A, Lansdown Moore J, Baragli P, Chelli L, Sighieri C. Perception of dogs’ stress by their owners. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 2012;7(4):191-193.