Can Dogs Have Too Much of a Good Thing?
When we think about meeting our dogs’ needs, we often focus on giving them more — more walks, more play, more training, more socialisation and more enrichment.
But sometimes, dogs actually need less.
Activities such as daycare, dog parks, long walks, fetch, training classes and exciting outings can all be enjoyable. However, they also place demands on the brain and body. When a dog has lots of stimulation without enough opportunity to rest and recover, their overall stress levels can begin to build.
You might notice your dog becoming:
more reactive or easily startled
restless or unable to settle
more frustrated or excitable
unusually clingy or withdrawn
more sensitive to sounds, people or other dogs
tired, but seemingly unable to switch off
Sometimes owners respond to an energetic or unsettled dog by adding even more exercise. But exhaustion isn’t the same as relaxation.
A dog who collapses after a huge run or endless games of fetch may be physically tired, but that doesn’t necessarily mean their underlying needs have been met.
Think about the whole stress bucket
Stress doesn’t only come from things our dogs dislike.
Exciting experiences can add to the bucket too. A busy day at daycare, visitors at home, a training class and a big walk might all be positive experiences individually — but together they may simply be too much for a particular dog.
Other factors such as pain, illness, poor sleep, changes at home, unfamiliar environments and frightening experiences can add to the load as well.
Every dog is different, which is why it’s important to look at the dog in front of you, rather than following a formula for how much exercise or stimulation a dog “should” receive.
Sometimes rest is the best enrichment
If your dog seems overwhelmed, consider temporarily reducing demanding or highly exciting activities and replacing them with opportunities to decompress.
This might include:
plenty of uninterrupted sleep and rest
quiet sniffing walks
foraging or scatter feeding
calm chewing or licking activities
relaxing time at home
allowing your dog more choice about what they interact with
The goal isn’t to avoid exercise, training or fun. It’s about finding the right balance between activity and recovery.
And if you notice a sudden or significant change in your dog’s behaviour, it’s always worth speaking with your veterinarian. Pain and illness can affect behaviour too.
Sometimes the dog who seems to need more exercise is actually telling us they need more rest, predictability and opportunities to slow down.
Does your dog struggle to switch off?
If your dog seems constantly “on the go”, easily overwhelmed, reactive or unable to settle, simply adding more exercise may not be the answer.
At Paws & Reward, we look at the whole dog — including their routine, sleep, enrichment, exercise, environment and emotional wellbeing — to help you understand what may be driving their behaviour.
Need some help finding the right balance for your dog?
Get in touch with Paws & Reward to find out how we can help.
