Am I Doing Too Much?
As dog owners, we want to give our pups the best life possible —
Long walks, fun adventures, enrichment toys, training, social outings… the list goes on. But here’s something most owners don’t realize:
You can do too much, and inadvertently not allow your dog to learn to switch ‘off’.
Dogs, just like us, can become overstimulated — and when they do, it can lead to all kinds of behavioural challenges. While this can look very different from dog-to-dog, it is useful to look out for the following:
Signs of Overstimulation:
Increased reactivity or sensitivity
Trouble settling or sleeping
Demand barking or whining for no clear reason
Restlessness or pacing
Dilated pupils, snatching food, increased impulsivity
What is Overstimulation?
Overstimulation happens when your dog experiences too much sensory input without enough recovery time.
This can include:
Too many outings (parks, cafés, city walks)
Overdoing the training sessions
Repetitive high-energy play like fetch
Noisy or crowded environments
Constant attention or social interaction
Too many enrichment toys/activities to try to keep them ‘calm’.
Dogs Need Downtime, Too
Rest isn’t a luxury — it’s essential. Healthy pet dogs should be getting around 18 hours of rest/sleep a day! I commonly find training clients coming to me with a list of issues that are usually down to a lack of good quality rest.
Much of a dog’s processing happens when they’re resting, not when they’re running around or problem-solving.
Signs You’re Doing Too Much with Your Dog
Zoomies that feel frantic, not playful (particularly post-activity)!
Barking at things they used to ignore
Struggling to switch off, even at home.
Trouble settling after walks
Acting ‘on edge’ or jumpy
Finding Balance: Calm is a Skill
Here’s how to balance stimulation and rest:
1. Alternate High and Low Stimulation Days
If one day is full-on (training, walks, play dates) make the next day quieter with sniffy walks or rest at home! Follow high-energy activities by doing something to take those arousal levels down!
2. Short and Sweet
A 30-minute calm walk with sniffing and free time can be more beneficial than an hour of fetch or park chaos. Keep training and play sessions fun but short (1-3 minutes, but frequent).
3. The art of “Doing Nothing”
Teach your dog to rest by practicing doing NOTHING! Put them on their leash, go sit somewhere quiet and just be. You can use food or chews to encourage them at first, but I prefer to phase this out early as high value rewards can often be highly stimulating, and put your dog into ‘training’ mode: rather than a true resting state.
4. Don’t Stack the Stress
Avoid stacking high-energy or high-stress activities on the same day. If your dog has the vet or groomer, skip out on that trip to a busy dog park right after! Follow stressful events with something to help them wind down (scatter feeding, chewing, licking).
5. Tune Into Your Dog
Think about what your dog was bred for! Ask yourself, are you scratching that biological itch? Got a Collie? Look into herding games! Have a Bull Breed? Think pulling, and tug! Spaniel? Go for scent work driven activities. Prioritize meeting their breed specific needs over endless enrichment toys, work smarter, not harder!
Some dogs (especially rescues, and puppies) are more sensitive to stimulation. They may need more recovery time than others, and others require a higher level of input to help them reach a settled state!
Well-rested Dogs Are Happy Dogs
A well-rested dog is often better at making decisions, less impulsive and more resilient. They don’t need a jam-packed schedule to be fulfilled. Sometimes, a sofa day is more valuable than a social one. You’re not doing less for them — you’re doing what they actually require!
Want Help Creating Balance?
If you’re unsure whether your dog is struggling to relax, I can help. I offer personalized training and support to guide dogs back to calmness and comfort.
📩 [Contact me here] to book a free discovery call!