Dog displacement behaviours are out-of-context actions that dogs display when they’re feeling conflicted, anxious, or stressed. Think of them like “stress signals” or emotional release valves—kind of like when a person nervously laughs or scratches their head when they’re unsure what to do.

These behaviours aren’t aggressive or necessarily “bad,” but they do signal that the dog is feeling a bit uncomfortable or overwhelmed.

Common Displacement Behaviours in Dogs:

– Yawning (outside of being tired)

– Freezing or sitting down

– Licking lips or nose

– Scratching (without an itch)

– Shaking off (like they’re wet, but they’re dry)

– Sniffing the ground (randomly and intensely)

– Sudden self-grooming

– Looking away / avoiding eye contact

– Excessive blinking

– Pacing or circling

– Suddenly acting “distracted”

When You Might See Them:

– During training (if the dog is confused or frustrated)

– Meeting new people or dogs

– At the vet

– In a noisy or overstimulating environment

– When punished or scolded

– When someone approaches their food or toy

Why It Matters:

Understanding displacement behaviours helps you recognise when a dog is stressed before they escalate to more serious reactions (like growling or biting) and helps them feel more comfortable with the communication. If you need more help with these, ask us about our 1-2-1 sessions and we can help you understand how to deal with them