Which of the following is NOT a common sign of stress in MWDs?

• A. Panting.
• B. Lip licking.
• C. Pacing.
• D. Tail wagging steadily.

Answer: (D)

A key idea here is how dogs show stress through their body language. In working dogs, signs like panting, lip licking, and pacing are common indicators of arousal or discomfort and signal that the dog is stressed or under pressure. Panting often accompanies increased heart rate and heat or anxiety; lip licking can be an appeasement cue when a dog feels uneasy; pacing reflects restlessness as the dog tries to cope with stress.

Steady tail wagging, on the other hand, is typically a sign of sociability or positive engagement—excited or friendly behavior rather than stress. While a stressed dog can sometimes wag, steady, calm tail wagging alone usually points to a positive mood or sustained interest, not distress.